VINS Announcement Regarding COVID-19

COVID-19

UPDATE March 19, 2020

We are writing today with the hope that you and your family are well. 

As you know, everything surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid. The CDC has recommended caution related to groups events. With this in mind, VINS Nature Center will remain closed to the public until April 26, 2020.

VINS staff will be working remotely except for the Wildlife Keepers and Program Educators, who will continue to care for the exhibit and program birds as well as our rehab patients.

Our Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation is open for service, and we have adopted new admission standards for patients to be brought into our care. We are open from 8:00am to 4:00pm daily, as we know this is a very important part of what we do. Visit us at vinsweb.org/wild-bird-rehab to learn more.

We are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, including updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and federal agencies. We are taking proactive measures by putting the wellness of our people and birds first.

As you may well imagine, our revenue, like that of so many other businesses and nonprofits, is taking a real hit. The spring/summer season is just around the corner. We depend on this season for the very livelihood of the organization. With the entire world experiencing this pandemic, we may miss the upcoming season of outreach, education, camp, field trips and daily visitors altogether, thereby losing several vitally needed sources of income at once, with no opportunity to replace this income for a full year.

One thing you can do is continue to support the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. We need you now more than ever. Soon, many baby birds will be in our care. No matter what the circumstances are in the human world, these orphaned and ill birds will need our expertise to get better and grow old enough to be released back into the wild. Together, we can remain strong and continue to serve our community with your gift today.

When we reopen to the public, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor avian experiences with our raptor ambassadors, the VINS Forest Canopy Walk, and the forest trails. Formal raptor programs will be held outside, weather permitting.

We have moved the Owl Festival to a tentative date, May 23 – 24, 2020. If you purchased tickets, they will be valid for those dates. If you would like a refund, it will be provided; alternatively, you can donate your purchase to VINS. We greatly appreciate your generosity.

For more information about VINS and our Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation, visit us at vinsweb.org.

For information about Coronavirus Prevention & Treatment recommendations issued by the CDC, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to welcoming you back when the situation allows. We believe that being outdoors as spring arrives will allow visitors the safety of personal distance and fresh air while being close to nature.

UPDATE March 16, 2020

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science will be closed from March 14 – April 26, 2020 out of concern for the (COVID-19) situation. We will take this opportunity to deep clean the facility and to complete the final construction of the VINS FOREST CANOPY WALK spiral staircase on the Tree House. 

We will re-open the Nature Center on Sunday, April 26, in order to provide our community with a much-needed opportunity to get outdoors and close to nature, during this stressful time.

Our Field Trip programs are suspended until at least Monday, April 27. We will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions about holding both Field Trips, Offsite Raptor Programs and Classroom programs as we know more and the situation clarifies.

The Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation will continue to receive injured birds from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm daily.  Please call to alert staff that you are bringing an injured bird at 802.359.5000 Ext. 212 or after hours Ext. 510. 

When we reopen to the public, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor avian experiences with our raptor ambassadors, the VINS Forest Canopy Walk, and the forest trails.  Formal Raptor Programs will be held outside, weather permitting.

In response to the gathering restrictions ordered by Governor Scott, VINS will be canceling or postponing large events of 250+ people through the end of March. Our Annual Owl Festival event is postponed until May 23 – 24, 2020.

We know that, like us, you are closely monitoring novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  Please be assured that we are taking proactive measures and will continue putting the wellness of people and birds first. We are closely following updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and federal agencies.

We are increasing the frequency of daily in-depth cleanings and sanitizing of all tables, chairs, and other high touch points such as knobs, handles, and countertops.

Birds are at the heart of everything we do. We want to assure the public that our animals are healthy, and we continue to care for them. COVID-19 does not affect birds so our birds are safe from this virus and being around them poses no threat to anyone.

We look forward to welcoming you back when the situation allows. We believe that being outdoors as spring arrives allows visitors the safety of personal distance and fresh air while being close to nature.

For information about Coronavirus Prevention & Treatment recommendations issued by the CDC visit (cdc.gov/coronavirus).

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, 802.359.5000 or email info@vinsweb.org.  We at VINS wish you all good health and thank you for your friendship and support.

March 12, 2020

Note: In order to keep our visitors, members, volunteers and staff safe, we are continuing to monitor the developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will evaluate our operations on a day-to-day basis.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science, out of concern for the health of our staff, volunteers, members and visitors, is taking the following steps to keep our community healthy and safe from the coronavirus (COVID-19): 

  • We are increasing the number of hand sanitizing stations in all of our buildings.
  • We are displaying informative signage throughout the Nature Center, encouraging hand washing, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette.
  • We’ve assessed protocols and continue our diligence in maintaining a clean and safe environment.

We encourage all of us to do our part to keep the community healthy and safe:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Stay home when you are sick and seek medical care.

More information is available on the following websites: 

Questions or concerns? Please contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.