Program areas at VINS
Nature center: headquartered on 47 acres of forest, meadow, and rolling hills in quechee, vt, open year round and located next to the quechee gorge, vins nature center features 17 state-of-the-art raptor enclosures that house hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey. In addition, the site has a songbird aviary, indoor and outdoor classrooms, indoor and outdoor pavillions, several nature trails including the ada compliant mcknight trail, exhibits including dinosaur, forest and canopy walk, wild bird rehabilitation center and nature store. In 2013, old pepper place nature reserve, an "off the grid", 327 acre, self-sustaining, seasonal property was bequeathed to vins by good friends. Located in Washington, vt, this property has hosted our overnight camp and research programs.
Wild bird rehabilitation: vins highly trained rehabilitators treat approximately over 1,000 injured and orphaned birds from throughout Vermont and new hampshire each year. We also answer wildlife questions and care for the many resident raptors, songbirds, arthropods and reptiles! Our newly renovated facility will accommodate over 60-80 species at one time. We are the largest rehabber in the state of Vermont.
Education: the year was extraordinary with a total reach of 76,400 visitors. The total is from our school programs, community outreach, nature camp, and field trips. Our audience includes all age groups which include; schoolchildren, teachers, families, adults and volunteers. Vins school programs, nature camp, and community outreach add more participants to our curriculum each year. Research projects involve observing the Natural world, then entering observations online for urgently needed scientific research.