Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)

09/13/2026

Learn about the wild world of animal reproduction at VINS!

Join us for “Wild Night Out: The Secret S*x Lives of Animals” on Thursday, September 17, from 5:30–7:30 PM for an after-hours evening with author and illustrator Perrin Roosevelt Ireland, inspired by her book “Poking the Squid”. VINS educators will also introduce some of our Ambassador animals and share their own surprising stories.

Tickets include dinner from Trail Break Taco Trailer and one complimentary drink. *Adults 21+ only.* $45 general public / $40 VINS members.

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://vermontinstituteofnaturalscience.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/wild-night-out

09/12/2026

Spend a beautiful fall day learning the art of fly fishing at the Chang Memorial Fly Fishing Event on Saturday, September 19, from 10 AM–2 PM.

This free, family-friendly event introduces children ages 8+ to fly fishing and fly tying while exploring the connection between healthy rivers, streams, and local ecosystems. Enjoy hands-on activities, fishing, fly tying, fish habitat exploration, and a cookout with VINS, the Chang family, and Trout Unlimited. Additional activities will be available for younger children.

Free and open to the public. Registration is required by September 14. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The event will be held at a private residence in White River Junction; directions will be provided upon registration.

🎣 Register: https://vermontinstituteofnaturalscience.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/chang-memorial-fly-fishing-event-2026

09/11/2026

Slow down, look closely, and draw from nature. ✏️

Our next Drawing from Nature workshop on Saturday, September 19 focuses on hawks. Participants will observe VINS resident raptors and use their observations as inspiration for sketching, painting, and nature journaling.

Explore techniques for capturing the form, posture, movement, and distinctive features of hawks while combining art, science, and mindful observation. All experience levels are welcome, and participants may work in watercolor, pastel, graphite, ink, or a combination of media!

🎨 Learn more and register here: https://vinsweb.org/event/drawing-from-nature-hawks/

09/10/2026

This Common Nighthawk recently came to our Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation after being hit by a car.

An examination revealed significant injuries to the bird's left shoulder, including a clavicle fracture, a displaced coracoid, and a potential humeral dislocation.

Unfortunately, because Common Nighthawks are aerial insectivores—catching insects while flying—their ability to fly needs to be nearly perfect for them to survive in the wild. Due to the severity of these injuries, our rehabilitation team made the difficult decision to euthanize this bird.

Common Nighthawks are endangered in Vermont and are remarkable long-distance migrants, traveling all the way to South America each year.

Cases like this help tell the story of why protecting birds and learning about the challenges they face is so important. Visit the VINS Nature Center to learn more about birds and the work of our Wild Bird Rehabilitation Team.

https://vinsweb.org/visit/

09/09/2026

Treetop Golden Hour is happening tonight, rain or shine! Come enjoy the evening with us on the Forest Canopy Walk and see the leaves just beginning to change color. 🍁✨ There will be cocktails and food options available to purchase from SILO Distillery! Get your tickets here: https://vinsweb.org/event/treetop-golden-hour-5/

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/

09/08/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Corn Snakes, Wilmington and Marlboro. After hatching from the same clutch at the Vermont Museum of Natural History in 2008 and moving to VINS in 2009, the siblings served as VINS Animal Ambassadors for seventeen years. Over the years they educated thousands of people.

In the past year, VINS staff, in consultation with veterinary experts, retired Wilmington from programming following the discovery of extensive arthritis, which impacted his movement and quality of life. Recent X-rays revealed that Marlboro was also suffering from the disease. Anticipating further decline, we made the decision to humanely euthanize the pair.

We're grateful to Wilmington and Marlboro for teaching us, quelling our fears of snakes, and enriching the lives of students across Vermont and New Hampshire. At VINS, the generosity of our donors enables us to offer world-class care to our Animal Ambassadors. Please consider giving today in memory of Wilmington and Marlboro.

https://vinsweb.org/donate/

09/07/2026

Need a beautiful spot for a wedding this fall? 🌿✨

Celebrate your special day surrounded by the beauty of Vermont's natural world. From scenic outdoor spaces to a setting your guests won't soon forget, the VINS Nature Center offers a truly memorable place to gather and celebrate.

Learn more about hosting your wedding at VINS: vinsweb.org/weddings/

09/06/2026

A female American Goshawk came to our Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation on August 22 after being found on the ground.

During her examination, our team found signs of head trauma. She was also thin and had a significant number of flat flies, which are external parasites.

Our rehabilitation team is now caring for her and monitoring her condition. Every patient that comes through our doors has a different story, and cases like hers offer an opportunity to learn more about the challenges wild birds face.

Visit the VINS Nature Center to learn more about birds of prey and the work of our Wild Bird Rehabilitation Team: vinsweb.org/visit

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/