About VINS

At the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), our mission is to protect our natural heritage through education, research, and hands-on work with wildlife designed to engage individuals and communities in the active care of their environment.  VINS operates on the conviction that a community dedicated to creating a healthier environment will also be a healthy community in all respects for the long term.  Our environmental education, research, and wildlife care programs aim to foster such a community and inspire its members to take action to promote the health of our natural world.

Environmental Education

The goal of VINS’ environmental education programs is to develop a community that seeks knowledge about and cares for the natural world.  VINS’ programs bring our conservation message to adults and children throughout New England and beyond.

VINS’ environmental education programs emphasize lifelong learning, exposure to current science, and effective application of multiple teaching methods.  VINS offers three types of environmental education programming, including:

·        School programs for students in preschool through grade 12, and professional development for teachers

·        Community programs – Outreach presentations, nature camps, and adult-education programs – at locations throughout Vermont and New Hampshire

·        VINS Nature Center programs – exhibits featuring exotic frogs and New England’s largest collection of raptors, a thriving pollinator garden, interpretive nature trails, and daily public education programs – at VINS’ modern new facility next to the stunning Quechee Gorge in Quechee, Vermont.

Research

VINS’ conservation biology research is recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally not only for its leading work in the study of avian species and their habitats, but also for the strong participation of citizen scientists it attracts.  VINS’ principal research focus has been ecological studies and long-term monitoring of wildlife populations to help guide natural resource planning and the conservation of biodiversity.  To enhance its environmental education program curricula with an even broader range of current scientific research, VINS is undertaking new basic field-science projects in collaboration with other New England-based conservation and environmental science organizations.

Wildlife Care

The VINS Nature Center in Quechee, Vermont, is home to New England’s leading raptor care and rehabilitation facility. At the nature center, the public can gain a rare view into the lives and spectacular abilities of more than 20 species of birds of prey – including hawks, eagles, vultures, and owls – that are permanently maintained there. In addition, more than 400 injured birds are brought to the VINS Nature Center each year for care; thanks to VINS’ expert rehabilitation work, half typically can be released safely back to the wild.

VINS wildlife specialists care for the nature center’s permanent residents and the exhibits that feature them. These dedicated professionals are indispensable not only to the wild birds they oversee, but also to the content of many of our environmental education programs.  Their expertise adds unique value and insight to these programs that cannot be found anywhere else.

To donate to VINS and support our important work, please visit our website at www.vinsweb.org.