Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)

09/04/2026

Join us for a FALL Treetop Golden Hour this upcoming Wednesday, September 9! For just $10 per person, enjoy an evening with us on the Forest Canopy Walk when the shadows grow long, the evening light has a golden glow, and the leaves are just beginning to change color. 🍁✨

There will also be cocktails and food options available to purchase from ! Get your tickets here: https://vinsweb.org/event/treetop-golden-hour-5/

09/03/2026

Join us for a special after-hours evening at the VINS Nature Center, where we'll dive into the wild, weird, and wonderful world of animal s*x. We're welcoming author and illustrator Perrin Roosevelt Ireland for a book talk and presentation based on her new brilliant, punchy, illustrated graphic non-fiction book, Poking the Squid — a joyful, science-backed romp through how the other 99.99% of species get it on.

From pregnant seahorse dads to four-headed echidna pen*ses, Ireland's delightful watercolor comics bring decades of feminist and q***r science to life. Expect stories of infidelity, s*x change, dolphin or**es, and s*xual cannibalism — all backed by the researchers on the front lines of animal reproductive biology. VINS Educators will also bring out some of our own Ambassador animals to talk about their s*x lives!

After the presentation, stick around to mingle, grab food from the Trail Break Taco Trailer, and raise a glass to biodiversity in all its forms.

Learn more here: https://vinsweb.org/event/wild-night-out/

09/02/2026

Our September Ambassador Los Angeles was rehabilitated in California after an unknown trauma affected her eyesight. She has severe glaucoma and her right eye had to be surgically removed. Black Vultures rely on sight to follow Turkey Vultures to a meal, so Los Angeles could not be released to the wild.

September 5th is International Vulture Awareness Day. Vultures are some of the most misunderstood yet most important species in our ecosystems. These birds keep ecosystems in balance by limiting spread of diseases through eating carcasses of other animals. On this day or any other, we invite you to take a moment to learn something new about vultures by visiting Los Angeles and the other Vultures at the VINS Nature Center! You may even see her taking a bath, like in this video.

Want to support Los Angeles this month? Adopt her for $30 and receive our $50 adoption package, which includes an admission ticket to visit the Nature Center.

Adopt here: https://adopt.vinsweb.org/ambassadors/los-angeles/

09/01/2026

We’re staying open later than usual (until 6 PM) this Friday, September 4th to celebrate the completion of the roadwork and the re-opening of the bridge over the Quechee Gorge! We’ll have a special program – one of our Ambassador birds out with an Educator on glove – from 5-6 PM. Come visit us at the Nature Center!

Get your ticket here: https://bit.ly/vinstickets 🔗

08/28/2026

You’re invited to Hawkwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Join a VINS educator on Saturday, September 5 from 11 AM – 2:30 PM for this magical event where you’ll learn all about the real world magic of science.

Classes include:

🧙‍♀️ The Sorting Hat
🪄 Care of Magical Creatures
🎨 Crafts and Lunch in the Great Hall
🌿 Herbology
🧪 Potions
🌌 Astronomy

Learn more and register here: https://vinsweb.org/event/hawkwarts-school-of-witchcraft-and-wizardry/

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hawkwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Join a VINS educator for this magical event where you can choose your classes and learn all about the real world magic of science!

08/27/2026

Our last few Yoga in the Canopy sessions of the season are coming up! 🧘‍♀️🌳

Save the dates for these Sundays:
August 30 / 9 AM – 10:15 AM
September 13 / 4 PM – 5:15 PM

All levels of experience are welcome in this slow-flow class that will incorporate sun salutations, standing poses, balance poses, and brief meditation.

Learn more and register here: https://vinsweb.org/event/yoga-in-the-canopy-jun26-sep26-7/

08/26/2026

Today marks our final day of Nature Camp! It’s been a fabulous summer, filled with wonder, learning and play. Thank you to all the campers and families who chose to join us at the Nature Center and Storrs Pond this year! We hope you have a wonderful school year, and come back to visit VINS soon. 🍃

08/25/2026

One of our favorite things about VINS events? Seeing generations come together to enjoy nature, make memories, and have a little fun. 💚

This sweet moment from the Fledge Party says it all. Grandpa and his grandkids hitting the dance floor together is exactly the kind of joy we love to see at VINS. 🥰💃🕺

Here’s to making memories that span generations! ✨

08/24/2026

Exciting news! Tonight, Monday, August 24, we’ll be releasing 8 rehabilitated Chimney Swifts back to the wild - and you’re invited to come watch!

Join us at 6 PM at the Rite Aid in Windsor, where these incredible little birds will be joining an established Chimney Swift colony. After receiving care and rehabilitation at VINS, they’re ready to take to the skies and begin the next chapter of their lives in the wild. 💚

08/23/2026

Broad-winged Hawks breed in large deciduous or mixed forests throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. They usually nest near forest openings and bodies of water, and far from areas of human disturbance. Although Broad-winged Hawks are numerous, and the species is considered of low conservation concern, it is important to maintain their habitat to sustain a stable population. The largest threat to this species is habitat destruction, particularly within its wintering range in Central America and northern countries of South America.

When you visit VINS, you are fortunate to have a chace to see Northfield the Broad-winged Hawk throughout the year. As an Education Ambassador, you may see him during onsite and outreach programs.

As our ambassador of the month, you can adopt Northfield in August and get the $50 package for only $30. You will receive an adoption certificate, a species fact sheet, a color photo, our sticker sheet featuring our avian Ambassadors, and one guest pass.

https://adopt.vinsweb.org/ambassadors/northfield/