![A Giant Leap Northward for a Butterfly](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EGS_ronpayne-280x200.jpg)
A Giant Leap Northward for a Butterfly
Our study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution this week shows an unusually rapid northward range shift by the Eastern Giant Swallowtail.
![A loon rests comfortably on top of a life preserver in a plastic box with air holes, ready for transport to open water.](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Eric-at-rescue-2021-maidstone-ice-Chris-von-Alt-edited-280x200.jpg)
Loon Rescue in January on Maidstone Lake
On January 28, Eric Hanson received an email about a loon in distress on snow- and ice-covered Maidstone Lake in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Read on for details about this loon rescue, written by VCE volunteers.
![Naturalists Help the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist Build Biodiversity Big Data in 2020](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/plantsinat2020stats-280x200.jpg)
Naturalists Help the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist Build Biodiversity Big Data in 2020
From the first observation of 2020, a Gray Fox still celebrating the New Year at 4:30 AM, to Great Mullein leaves poking out of the snow shared at twilight on the last day of the year, naturalists added nearly 175,000 biodiversity records to our rapidly growing database of life in Vermont. Read on for highlights from an amazing year!
![Embracing the Community: It’s time to take the “citizen” out of citizen science](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/VPMon-student-volunteers-280x200.jpg)
Embracing the Community: It’s time to take the “citizen” out of citizen science
VCE takes another step toward our commitment to making our organization more inclusive and welcoming.
![A Lifetime Dedicated to Nature: JoAnne Russo Receives VCE's 2020 Julie Nicholson Community Science Award](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JoAnne-Russo-photo-credit-Gerry-Biron-280x200.jpg)
A Lifetime Dedicated to Nature: JoAnne Russo Receives VCE’s 2020 Julie Nicholson Community Science Award
Joanne Russo’s contributions to better understanding the conservation status of Vermont’s wildlife (especially moths) have been extraordinary–and for this, the staff and board of VCE are proud to present JoAnne with the 2020 Julie Nicholson Community Scientist Award.
![Field Guide to December 2020](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Winter-Dawn-20171210-e1606847738789-280x200.jpg)
Field Guide to December 2020
December is off to a gentle start this year; the annual blanket of snow and ice has yet to drape across the land. Cozy up with our Field Guide and a warm cup of tea to learn how species from birds to bats and mice to moose face the coming cold-weather challenges.
![Field Guide to October 2020](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mount-Mansfield-Autumn-Snow_KPMcFarland-3-280x200.jpg)
Field Guide to October 2020
October is a month of change. The forested hills fade from green to a kaleidoscope of red and gold that dazzles the eyes. Here’s your field guide to some moments that you might not otherwise notice during these few precious weeks.
![Mentoring an Eagle Scout for the Loon Project](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/signs-caleb-nye-photo-by-eric-hanson-trim-280x200.jpg)
Mentoring an Eagle Scout for the Loon Project
This past year, Caleb Nye of Hinesburg conducted numerous activities to assist the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, and the loons on Lake Iroquois, in pursuit of becoming an Eagle Scout.
![Mid-July Loon Update](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/backride-bald-hill-p-photo-by-lorna-kane-rohloff-280x200.jpg)
Mid-July Loon Update
It’s mid-July, height of “loon season,” and just a few days away from Vermont’s 38th annual LoonWatch Day on Saturday, July 18. VCE’s loon biologist, Eric Hanson, gives us an update from Vermont’s lakes and ponds (with photos you won’t want to miss).
![VCE Staff "Bird in Place" for Backyard Bird Quest 2020](https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/birders-collage-half-hero-1-280x200.jpg)
VCE Staff “Bird in Place” for Backyard Bird Quest 2020
VCE’s annual Birdathon took on a new form this spring, as the Green Mountain Goatsuckers “birded in place” for Backyard Bird Quest 2020. Sallying forth individually from our home bases—some even outside Vermont—we collectively found 134 species during the day, raising crucial funds for VCE’s wildlife conservation work.