Every month VCE's eNews bring the outdoors into your email inbox. In eNews, we report on the innovative field work of VCE biologists. But we also give you breaking news from the frontiers of conservation biology – here in Vermont and beyond.
eNews is short and designed to keep you informed and even to get you outside. You can read a few back issues here on the VCE website. But your best bet is to use the handy subscription option and get it in your inbox each month.
November 2023 eNews
In this issue of eNews, find our Field Guide to November, a new insight into the Northern Waterthrush, and the iNaturalist observation of the month! Read November eNews »
October 2023 eNews
Read the Field Guide to October and the iNaturalist observation of the month in the October 2023 issue of eNews! Read October eNews »
September 2023 eNews
In September eNews, check out our Field Guide to September and the iNaturalist observation of the month. Read September eNews »
August eNews
This month, you can find the Field Guide to August, remaining VCE field trips, and the last week of Mansfield! Read August 2023 eNews »
July 2023 eNews
In July, we've got updates about upcoming talks, an exciting new report from the Vermont Atlas of Life team, a reflection from our June Biodiversity Jamboree, and much more! Read July eNews »
June 2023 eNews
In this month of eNews, you will find the first report from VCE's 32nd banding season on Mt. Mansfield, news of a rare butterfly discovered in a bog, event updates, and much more. Read June eNews »
May 2023 eNews
The month of May is a show-off. Grass glows green under the deep blue sky. Woodland wildflowers jump out of the ground. Trees flower, and leaves burst from long-dormant buds. Birds arrive on southern night winds and liven the dawn with their chorus. May shouts of life and rejuvenation. Read May eNews »
April 2023 eNews
In April, the northern forest is laid bare with cold desire. Our long-dormant senses awaken. The sweet smell of soil rises to our noses, carried by the ultralight spores of Streptomyces bacteria launched into the air by the impact of raindrops. Our ears cock skyward at dusk as a Woodcock chatters and twitters above. Spring Peepers burst forth in the evening, with up to 4,000 peeps an hour. Blades of wild leeks slice through autumn's soggy, brown remains to release sweet-onion perfume. Bright white Hepatica opens for wild bees and provides a feast for our eyes. The smell of smoke can fill the air. For a short time before the forest turns green, fires can quickly run through the understory. April leaves none of our senses void. Read April eNews »
March 2023 eNews
On Wednesday, March 20th, at 5:24 PM EST, spring arrives in the north. The spring equinox marks the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator – an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s equator – from south to north. It is also at spring equinox that people worldwide can see the sun rise exactly due east and set exactly due west. While the sun may be predictable, March weather is not. In fact, March is appropriately named for the Roman god of war, Mars. March is a month of battles between warm and cold, between winter’s refusal to leave and spring’s insistence on coming. Read March eNews »
February 2023 eNews
This month, wildlife and the rest of us here in New England will cross an arbitrary, not insignificant threshold: 10 hours of daylight. You can sense it when you head out in the morning: Northern Cardinals, House Finches, and Black-capped Chickadees are among the birds breaking out into song, and Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are starting to drum. Even though we’ve got lots more winter, at least the sound of spring is in the air. Read February eNews »
January 2023 eNews
Although the days are slowly growing longer, life in the Northeast now finds itself in the coldest depths of winter. January is about survival. Good thing you have the essentials, like January eNews. We reflect on our attendance of COP15, and we also have some questions for you. Read January eNews »
December 2022 eNews
Don't worry during these short days and long nights of December, there’s still plenty of life in the fading light...and our monthly newsletter. We have our annual VCE gift guide, as well as an award to celebrate. Read December eNews »
November 2022 eNews
With November comes a stronger nip to the morning air and the rushed activity of wildlife either preparing for their winter stay or leaving Vermont for their winter location. There's also our monthly newsletter, which contains our long awaited State of the Bees report! Read November eNews »
October 2022 eNews
October is a wonderful month in Vermont for many reasons....including our October eNews letter! This month we have our final Mansfield update of the season, a blog on fire ecology in the Green Mountains, and a Birder Broker article that was featured in Audubon. Read October eNews »
August 2022 eNews
August 11, 2022As summer begins to wind down, fear not! There is still plenty happening at VCE. We have a Mount Mansfield update, a science teacher workshop, and a lifetime achievement award to discuss. Read August eNews »
July 2022 eNews
July 11, 2022We're in the heat of the summer now! Join us as we talk about the ecology of July in this month's Field Guide, give a BITH backpack history lesson, and talk about our ongoing community science project, VAL. Read July eNews »
June 2022 eNews
June 08, 2022See what's happening at VCE this month, as we revel in the abundance June has to offer with our June Field Guide. We also announce our next Executive Director, talk about our new bumble bee guide, and more! Read June eNews »
May 2022 eNews
Check out everything happening at VCE this month, including our May field guide. Don't forget to join in on the fun at our upcoming Birdathon, and make sure to check out our Eastern Meadowlark monitoring project. Also, consider putting down your lawnmowers in the name of pollinators, and participate in our No-Mow-May! Read May eNews »
April 2022 eNews
Spring is finally here! Come read about our upcoming Birdathon and continuing mountain bird monitoring project. Also, learn more about our Executive Director Chris, who just won the Partner's in Flight Lifetime Achievement Award! Read April eNews »
March 2022 eNews
We are almost through winter, come celebrate the changing seasons with VCE! See the newest edition to Vermont's endangered species list, as well as what was removed. Here about some exciting new projects we're starting, as well as tried and true work that we'll be continuing this upcoming field season. Looking for an excuse to get out of the house this spring? Come hunt dragonflies with us! Read March eNews »
February 2022 eNews
Douse the winter blues and see what's happening outside in February! Check out our new Milkweed Specialist Insects Guide, or our vernal pool update, or our upcoming online science fair. Not sure what to get your partner for Valentine's Day? How about a gift to VCE? Read February eNews »
January 2022 eNews
The new year is here and it's time reflect. In this month's eNews, you will find year-end summaries from the Vermont Atlas of Life, including 2021 biodiversity highlights, results from the 11th eBird County Quest, and much more. As always, check out Field Guide to learn what nature sightings to keep a look out for in January. Read January eNews »
December 2021 eNews
December is upon us, bringing with it flurries, scurries, and a deepening stillness as creatures large and small make their final pre-winter preparations. This month's eNews shares suggestions for winter wildlife watching, a late-season loon rescue, show-stealing vireos, updates on upcoming events, and much more. Read December eNews »
November 2021 eNews
The dazzling colors of autumn are fading into the bare browns and greys of winter. Find out what you can expect to see in Stick Season in our monthly Field Guide, read the tale of Vermont’s first-ever Bell’s Vireo, learn about a puzzling bee-ID mystery, and much more. Read November eNews »
October 2021 eNews
October is here and Vermont's forests are undergoing their breathtaking autumn transformation into a fireworks display of red and orange. This month's eNews contains the final Mansfield banding update of the season, a compelling argument against raking your leaves, a new tool for Vermont's birders, and much more. Read October eNews »
September 2021 eNews
In September, summer's heat slowly fades into crisp autumn mornings and signals the end of another exciting field season for VCE biologists. This eNews shares their updates, including a new loon record, monarch blitz highlights, a surprising Mt. Mansfield banding turnout, and much more. Read September eNews »
August 2021 eNews
The final, sweltering days of summer are here and this month's eNews is full to the brim! Read our whip-poor-will team's end-of-season report, discover which butterfly species was recently sighted in Vermont, get an update on this year's moth blitz, and, of course, find out what to keep your eye out for this month in Field Guide. Read August eNews »
July 2021 eNews
Learn which flowering plants you might spot in the Field Guide to July, find out the results of the first-ever West Virginia White Watch, read the latest loon update, see fantastic photos of a newly recorded moth species and a Walking Fern, and more... Read July eNews »
May 2021 eNews
Celebrate the spectacle of spring phenology in the Field Guide to May, read about VCE's new powerlines and pollinators project, watch staff presentations from the 2021 Northeast Natural History Conference, see a fabulous photo of a medicinal leech (really!) and more... Read May eNews »
April 2021 eNews
The Field Guide to April, dancing porcupines, flying squirrels, moving mammals, springtime slime - and more! April eNews is packed with fascinating natural history tidbits, conservation news, and VCE events. Read eNews now! »
March 2021 eNews
Learn about the northward march (well, flight) of the Eastern Giant Swallowtail butterfly, a loon rescue in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, owl courtship, bee hibernation strategies, and more! You won't want to miss March eNews »
February 2021 eNews
In this month's issue you'll find the 2020 eButterfly year in review, VCE's virtual events line up, and the fascinating field guide to February, featuring Star-nosed Moles, Fishers, Snow Scorpionflies, and more! February eNews awaits... »
January 2021 eNews
Learn how wildlife adapts to survive winter, meet VCE's new Director of Conservation Science and Development Manager, take a gander at a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk, read the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist year in review, and more! Start the year right with January eNews »
December 2020 eNews
Cozy up with December eNews and a warm cup of tea to you'll learn how species from birds to bats and mice to moose face the coming cold-weather challenges; meet VCE's 2020 community science award recipients; read about how you can help track tagged wildlife by hosting a Motus tower on your property; get an early winter finch report - and more! Read December eNews »
November 2020 eNews
The month of November has more to offer than a lot of sticks! Read on to learn about jumping worms, luminous larches, strategic shrews, butcher birds, and other natural history tidbits to look for outdoors. And you'll find VCE research updates and virtual events in this issue, too. Open November eNews »
October 2020 eNews
Learn about loon departure times and a new development for the Vermont Loon Conservation Project; see shaggy 'shrooms and new faces at VCE; find your Field Guide to October and an update from the top of Mt. Mansfield. October eNews awaits »
September 2020 eNews
Here you'll find updates from the field - from vernal pools to maple sugar bushes. And of course, your Field Guide to September. There’s a lot going on this time of year, if you know where to look. Discover natural history tidbits this fall. »
July 2020 eNews
It's hot out there! Pour yourself a cool drink and relax with July eNews. Learn about the 38th annual LoonWatch Day, read field updates from the sugarbush and the Mt. Mansfield bird banding station, get a glimpse of a really big moth, and always, there's much more - including the fabulous Field Guide to the month. Read eNews now »
June 2020 eNews
What's in this month's eNews? Rediscovery of a lost lady beetle, Backyard Bird Quest results, first round winners of the Vermont Atlas of Life Observation Contest for K-6 Graders, natural history wonders in the Field Guide to June, and other interesting tidbits (and as always, lots of fabulous photography)! Read eNews »
May 2020 eNews
This month's issue is packed with an impressive list of events (both virtual and "real life"), eButterfly news, your Field Guide to May, Backyard Bird Quest 2020, World Migratory Bird Day, Outdoor Radio, and more. You won't want to miss it! »
April 2020 eNews
Lose yourself in the sights and sounds of early spring in VCE's Field Guide to April. We've included stunning photographs and lots of natural history tidbits to inspire you to venture outside and explore the nooks and crannies in your own yard and neighborhood. Read, share, and enjoy! »
March 2020 eNews
This month you'll find a field update from Cuba (or "Where are all the Bicknell's Thrush?"), learn how to participate in the Vermont Vernal Pool Monitoring Program, and grab your Field Guide to March. You won't want to miss the iNaturalist Photo-observation of the Month (it's even cuter than February's!), or a story about Orchard Orioles, either. Get March eNews »
February 2020 eNews
January thaw - fact or fiction? Also inside: Field Guide to February, 2019 eBird County Quest results, Alexander Dickey Conservation Internship opportunity, iNaturalist Photo-observation of the Month (it's really cute!), and a couple more announcements. Read eNews now »
January 2020 eNews
In this issue, you'll learn how some species adapt to survive through winter, how to use buckets to detect nocturnal migrating birds, what our citizen scientists accomplished in 2019, and as always, more - with awesome photographs! Read January eNews »
December 2019 eNews
December days are short on sunlight - so cozy up with a cup of something warm and enjoy reading this month's eNews! Your Field Guide to December awaits, along with news about VCE's latest research on Bicknell's Thrush, insights into our Citizen Scientists, a tribute to world-renowned entomologist - and more, of course! Read the issue »
November 2019 eNews
Surprising sandpiper migration, ferocious tiger beetles, your Field Guide to November, and more! Settle in and enjoy this month's nature news you can use... Read eNews »
October 2019 eNews
Fall is here, and your field guide to October is ready. You'll also read about VCE's latest research on mercury in the mountains, check out four new species discovered in Vermont, and more. Interesting facts, news you can use, and gorgeous photos await! Read this issue »
September 2019 eNews
Find your Field Guide to September, the Mt. Mansfield summer banding wrap-up report, catch up with VT loons, and more... Read eNews »
July 2019 eNews
The Field Guide to July is packed to the brim with amazing photography and natural history tidbits; learn about our recent investigation into mercury in Vermont's vernal pool food web; find out how hurricanes affect birds in Puerto Rico, sign up for LoonWatch, and more! Read July eNews... »
June 2019 eNews
Be inspired to get outside and explore your natural world this month with the Field Guide to June; read about our latest findings on Bicknell's Thrush in Puerto Rico; check out the lists of 300+ species found during VCE's first-ever Biothon; and listen to this month's episode of Outdoor Radio to learn about the bees in your backyard. Bzzzz! June eNews awaits... »
May 2019 eNews
We're excited for you to open this month's eNews! Read about our recent awards, check out all the events we've lined up for you, and head deep into the Green Mountains in search of Stark the Bear with Outdoor Radio. And as always, you'll get your natural history fix with the Field Guide to May. Read about all this and more in the May issue »
