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.

 

Field Trip 2: Innovative Strategies to Restore Degraded Forested Riparian Buffers at Shelburne Farms

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 10 am to 1 pm

Location:  Meet in the parking lot by the front gate and store at Shelburne Farms: 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482.

Instructors: Jess Rubin, UVM ALE Department, MycoEvolve

Description: Join us at Shelburne Farms to walk from a critical source area through a degraded riparian forested buffer past 2 restoration studies to the outlet at Orchard Cove in Unceded Abenaki Territory. This tour will cover topics such as manual nonnative species removal, mycorrhizal ecology, phosphorus remediation, mycoremediation, phytoremediation, pollinator habitat, interspecies diversity, grassroots community collaboration, ecoliteracy, rematriation, and soil science amidst whole system principles: reclaiming the commons and socio-ecological reconciliation. While early spring, ephemerals and early bloomers will likely be sharing their glory amidst the restored areas. We will highlight site history, colonial agriculture’s legacy, research and restoration methodology, data from 2 years of the current study, data from the 6-year pilot project, their context within the restoration and regenerative agriculture movements, as well as broader implications for bioregional watershed and trophic resilience. Gear: It may be cold and wet so bring waterproof, insulated boots, layers, water, and any snacks needed to stay warm and cozy.

For more information, contact Jess Rubin at Jessica.Rubin@uvm.edu

Limited to 25 participants.

No Fee

 

Field Trip 3: The Flora of Niquette Bay State Park

Date and time: Friday 17 April, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Location:  Meet at Niqueete Bay State Park, 274 Raymond Rd.,Colchester, VT 05446.

Instructor: Peter Hope, Emeritus Instructor, Saint Michael's College

Description: We will walk along the Ledges trail that has some short climbs and a longer descent. We will examine the plants with an emphasis of the calciphilic ferns and the early, rich spring flora of the area. Bring a hand lens if you have one.

For more information, contact Peter Hope at phope@smcvt.edu

Limited to 20 participants.

No Fee

 

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