Conference Field Trips

Field trips are ticketed events, for which advanced registration is required by April 12. Field trips are conference events, and as such, participation in them is limited to those registered for the conference. Except if otherwise noted, transportation from the convention center to the field trip destination will be via carpooling. Prior to the conference, we will forward the names and email addresses of all those who sign up for a field trip to the field trip organizer, who will contact each participant in advance to set up a time for a brief meeting to provide directions and work out the details of who will be driving. If you signed up for a field trip and if you have not heard from the field trip leader by April 18, we advise you to contact him/her (email listed in info given below) to confirm your attendance and the logistical details. Also, if you had registered for a field trip, but then realize you will not be able to attend, please promptly notifiy the field trip leader so that they know who to expect and can offer your spot to someone else in the event the field trip has filled up and there is a waiting list.

 

Field Trip 1: Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10 am to 4 pm

Location:  Meet at VINS, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT. Located just off of Route 4 (Exit 1 on I-89). Approx. 1 hr 25 min drive from the conference venue.

Instructors: VINS staff.

Description: VINS Nature Center (https://vinsweb.org/) features non-releasable raptors, songbirds, and a couple of reptiles, as well as a Forest Canopy Walk and trails across 47 acres of riverside forest. The program for the day is as follows:
10:00 - 11:00 am: Nature center opens, guests may explore the exhibits and trails.
11:00 - 11:30 am: Predators of the Sky program delivered by the wildlife ambassador education staff featuring live birds of prey and flight demonstrations.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Explore the center/eat lunch. The nature store has sandwiches and beverages in stock, but there are many local restaura
nts nearby as well and attendees are able to leave the center and return.
12:30 - 1:30 pm: Meet & greet with various staff at VINS about their field of work, from the educators that provide engaging programs to visitors of all ages, bird trainers, rehabilitators, and researchers. Great for inquiring about the unique work that we do here as well as making professional connections to others in the field.
1:30 - 4:00 pm: Guests may stay for the afternoon until the nature center closes, or head out whenever they need to throughout the day. Other public programs in the afternoon include a tour of the songbird aviary (1 pm) and raptor feeding time in the exhibits (2 pm). There will also be an optional opportunity to observe a training session with some of the ambassador birds at 2:30 pm for conference attendees.

For more information, contact Mya Wiles at mwiles@vinsweb.org

Cost per person: $15.50 (discounted group rate ... just mention you are attending the Northeast Natural History Conference). Attendees will need to pay VINS directly upon arrival at the Nature Center.

 

Additional 2026 NENHC field trips will be listed here as they are confirmed.