Vermont Celebrates Champlain - Daily Live Bird Programs, Featuring Vermont’s Birds of Prey

Date:	May-01-2009 - Oct-31-2009
Location/Sponsor:	VINS Nature Center - Quechee
Category:	Recreation & Natural History

About the Event:
Join the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee as we explore Vermont’s natural world and environment through the eyes of its most majestic residents—raptors. From the Lake Champlain Basin to the Connecticut River Valley, birds of prey are found across Vermont. VINS’ raptors represent a key component of our region’s unique natural history, as their ancestors flew these same skies over Samuel de Champlain during his journey. Today, VINS resident raptors serve as ambassadors for all Vermont’s wildlife, helping to inspire empathy for the environment and teaching visitors about current ecological challenges. Daily live bird programs cover topics, including the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration, the extraordinary abilities and adaptations of raptors, and avian conservation issues. Time Three times daily at 11am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm (specific times subject to change slightly) Admission fee(s): $10/adults; $9/seniors; $8/children (children 3 and under free). No admission fee for VINS Members.

Location/Sponsor:
Location	VINS Nature Center
Website:	http://www.vinsweb.org

About the Location/Sponsor:
Founded in 1972, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is a non-profit environmental education and research organization based in Quechee, Vermont. VINS’ mission is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research and avian wildlife rehabilitation. VINS delivers locally relevant environmental education programs that combine environmental science concepts with hands-on exploration to build empathy and empower individuals to care for local natural ecosystems. he VINS Nature Center in Quechee, Vermont, annually welcomes more than 25,000 visitors from around the world. Occupying 47 acres along the Ottaquechee River, the VINS Nature Center is an environmental education center and a living museum that exhibits New England’s largest teaching collection of raptors and other wild birds. The VINS Nature Center also features regularly scheduled public education programs, a beautiful nature trail linked to the Quechee Gorge State Park nature trail system, and a nature shop offering unusual, environmentally-friendly educational products, books, and gift items.