Vermont Institute of Natural Science facts for kids
| Abbreviation | VINS |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit environmental education organization |
| Headquarters | Quechee, Vermont, United States |
| Services | Avian rehabilitation, environmental education, teacher workshops, nature center with raptor exhibits and trails. |
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is a special non-profit group in Quechee, Vermont. Its main goal is to help people and communities care for the environment. They do this through teaching, research, and helping injured birds.
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Helping Injured Birds
One important job VINS does is helping birds that are hurt or sick. They work to make these birds healthy again so they can go back into the wild. VINS has special permits that let them keep some birds for teaching. These teaching birds are often birds of prey, like a great horned owl or a peregrine falcon.
Why Some Birds Stay at VINS
The birds used for teaching cannot live in the wild on their own. This might be because they lost an eye, or because people raised them. These birds would not survive if they were released. VINS also has other birds that live in outdoor homes called enclosures. These birds are also injured and are not used for teaching programs. VINS has many enclosures with dozens of different birds of prey.
Teaching About Nature
VINS also holds special workshops for teachers every year. In these workshops, teachers learn how to teach students about caring for the environment. They also learn how to create lessons about different environmental topics. These workshops cover more than just birds. They can include many types of Vermont's wildlife, like trout, bobcats, and even vernal pools.
VINS Nature Center
The VINS Nature Center in Quechee is a fun place to visit. It has 17 exhibits where you can see different birds of prey. These include hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, owls, and ravens.
What You Can Do at the Center
The center also has a nature shop where you can buy souvenirs. There's a classroom for learning and several nature trails to explore. You can also see a new exhibit with frogs. One exciting feature is a flight simulator. This lets you feel like you are flying! The VINS Nature Center is located near the Quechee Gorge on Vermont Route 4.
External links
- VINS Official Website: https://vinsweb.org/
