Obviously, we here at Vermont Center for Ecostudies love a holiday donation given on behalf of a wildlife lover.
But if you’re looking for an object to include alongside it that can be mailed, wrapped, or placed under the tree, we know just the thing(s). The birder, gardener, or loon lover in your life will be delighted to unwrap one of these gifts from our community.
New England Wildlife Greeting Cards
Vermont Loon Conservation Project volunteer Nicki Steel also happens to be an accomplished wildlife photographer, and her striking images are available as print enlargements, and thematic card sets, including flowers, Vermont barns, hearts in nature, and (of course) loons!
Birds & Beans Coffee
This Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC)-certified coffee represents a gold standard in ethical and sustainable coffee business. Bird Friendly® coffee is sourced from family farms in Latin America that provide sustainable, forest-like habitat for birds. Rather than being grown on farms that have been cleared of vegetation, Bird Friendly® coffees are planted under a canopy of trees, which provide the shelter, food, and habitat that migratory and local birds need to survive. Order online or find your local stockist on the Birds & Beans website!
VCE Swag
Be part of Vermont’s conservation in-crowd and support wildlife research with these charming designs for birders, loon lovers, and other outdoorsy loved ones. They include t-shirts, mugs, and even baby onesies with VCE’s logo or hand-illustrated designs depicting Vermont Atlas of Life, Mountain Birdwatch, and the Vermont Loon Conservation Project. You can view the options on our Bonfire site.
Bird Paintings, Prints, and Gifts
Artist Timothy Achor-Hoch’s paintings bring to life in stunning detail New England birds, from shorebirds to thrushes. Based out of his Fish Crow Studio in West Pawlet, Vermont, Timothy works from his own photographs and field experiences. If a large painting is out of your budget (or you’ve run out of wall space!), you can buy a variety of small gifts, including ornaments, smartphone cases, coasters, placemats, and more.
Migrant Wildlife Calendar
Local Vermont artist and geographer Daisy Hebb has created a Migrants calendar for 2026, which draws on research from VCE’s conservation biologists, including Desirée Narango and Kent McFarland. Each month features a gorgeous watercolor image of migratory birds, mammals, aquatic wildlife, and insects, plus their migratory routes. Aside from helping your loved ones plan their schedule, this calendar also provides information on each species.
You can purchase a wall calendar or greeting cards at her Etsy shop, or visit her at the Norwich Farmer’s Market Holiday Market December 20th and 21st.
Field Guide to the Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti
Learn all about the birds of Hispaniola, along with VCE Director Emeritus Chris Rimmer and VCE conservation biologist Kent McFarland. They are co-authors on this 2022 updated field guide, which includes new illustrations and descriptions. Perfect for that exciting birding trip to Hispaniola your partner has been dreaming of.
Check out the book here.
Butterflies of Vermont
Created by Kate Taylor, a community science volunteer for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas, this neatly organized, easy-to-carry handbook includes full-color photographs, descriptions, and flying times as well as the ecosystems in which each butterfly species lives: their habitats, their host plants, and their favored sources of nectar. Deepen your understanding of these beautiful insects with an overview of butterfly anatomy, biology, and behavior while learning how you can help keep butterflies safe and abundant in Vermont for generations to come.
Available wherever you buy your books.
Northern Forest Atlas
The editor of the series Northern Forest Atlas Guides, Jerry Jenkins, is one of the premier naturalists in the northeast. His exceptional photographs of grasses, sedges and mosses are elegant art unto themselves. We believe these guides are truly a bargain!
Buy them straight from Cornell University Press.
Birding Books for Children
Have a budding conservationist in your life? Give them these birding books specifically aimed towards children! Bird Count (ages 4-8) follows a young girl named Ava and her mother as they complete the very important (and very fun!) Christmas Bird Count with the rest of their team. The book introduces children to the concept of community science, and has wonderful illustrations as well.
The Beginning Birdwatcher’s Book and The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America are two great options for older kids. Each one contains species profiles of common birds found around the country, and helpful pictures and facts about each one.
