Workshops, Webinars, Field Trips, and Other Events

Join us for May’s Youth Birding Club meetup!

Erica Faughnan and Kyle Jones will lead this trip at Dewey Mills Pond in Quechee—a birding hotspot with opportunities to observe water, marsh, and upland birds. There is also an active and clearly visible Bald Eagle nest! 🦅

🐦 Any youth (plus parents and/or grandparents) with an existing or potential interest in birds is invited to join.

🐦 Binoculars will be provided for anyone who doesn’t have them.

🐦 Trips are limited to 15 spots for kids. Please register in advance. Registration is first-come, first-served.

For complete details and registration, visit the link in our profile.

Interested in learning how to identify and document vernal pools? VCE biologist Kevin Tolan will be giving a guided vernal pool walk during a half day of learning with the Northern Forest Center in Burke, Vermont. This event will also feature a forestry workshop led by foresters AJ Follensbee and Matt Langlais. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy waterproof footwear or rubber boots.

Snacks and beverages provided. More information to come soon!

Beyond Butterfly Basics: Swallowtail Tiger ID

The Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas (VBA) is an effort to document all the butterfly species in the state, and you can help! Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies conservation biologist Kent McFarland to learn about the VBA and puzzle through IDing Vermont’s three Tiger Swallowtail species. All butterfly experience and skill levels welcome.

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Plenty of parking is available onsite.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Plenty of parking is available onsite.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Plenty of parking is available onsite.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

On this outing, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for warblers and other spring migrants as we follow the historic carriage roads in Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park up to the Pogue, a picturesque 14-acre pond. Led by VCE Conservation Biologist Kent McFarland and Data Manager Megan Massa, this morning of birding during spring migration will be filled with their extensive knowledge of our forests and the birds that rely on them. No birding experience is required. Participants are welcome to join the trip leaders for a casual lunch at Ranch Camp in Woodstock after our outing. Limited spots available – advance registration is required.

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE)’s Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Plenty of parking is available onsite.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Plenty of parking is available onsite.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Plenty of parking is available onsite.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

As flowers bloom around the farm, it’s prime time to look for pollinators—native bees, bumble bees, butterflies, and other insects abound! Join VCE conservation biologist Desirée Narango and VCE director of conservation science Ryan Rebozo to learn about two of VCE’s research projects taking place at Cedar Circle Farm and to see what pollinators we can find along the way.

We’ll explore a native plant garden while learning about the Native Plant Ecostype Experiment. Then, we’ll make our way to Cedar Circle Farm’s blueberry field to learn about the Wild Bees on Farms project. Along the way, we’ll surely find plenty of pollinators to capture our interest. Limited spots available – advance registration required.

Butterflies are in your garden, along your hiking trails, and even along the side of the road. Did you know that you can help protect them just by noting it down when you see them? New or experienced butterfly watchers alike can join the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and VT Coverts at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area to meet other nature lovers and learn how to contribute to the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. In this four-hour, free workshop, you will learn how to identify local butterfly species, how to use community science tools like eButterfly and iNaturalist, get tips and tricks on photographing butterflies and more. This workshop will be both inside and outside and will include a lunch break.

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Metered street parking is available around the library.

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon Biologists for a peek into the social lives of Vermont’s Common Loons. We’ll dive into the drama of courtship and territorial displays, follow along with the growth of chicks, and share observation etiquette of loon families. This year you can help Eric and Eloise protect our loons by sharing your sightings through our new digital platform: LoonSurvey. We’ll walk through the tool together step-by-step, ensuring your field notes become a permanent part of Vermont’s conservation legacy. This workshop is open to everyone. No experience necessary—just a passion for keeping Vermont’s loons wild and thriving!

Loon pair photo by Kathlin Simpkins

As of 04/15/2026, all spaces on this trip are reserved. Please email Alyssa Fishman at afishman@vtecostudies.org if you’d like to join a waitlist.

Enjoy three days of exploring loon lakes, birding northern forests, and simply enjoying Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom with VCE Executive Director Susan Hindinger and Loon Biologist Eric Hanson.

This June, we invite you to join us for The Call of the Loon, a Celebration of Art and Conservation, a special art exhibit featuring more than 20 local artists, inspired by loons. Join us to admire the splendor of the Common Loon and learn more about this species and their remarkable conservation story. A portion of all art sales directly benefit the Vermont Loon Conservation Project.

Exhibit Dates: June 11 (noon) – June 21
Reception & Loon Presentation: Saturday, June 20, 2–5 PM

The reception will include light snacks and drinks and will feature a presentation by Vermont Center for Ecostudies loon biologists Eric Hanson and Eloise Girard.

Loon painting by Isa Oehry

Let’s go look for butterflies!

Scientists want to know what kind of butterflies live near you. Come join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the NorthWoods Stewardship Center for a day of butterflying near Morgan, VT. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at the NorthWoods Stewardship Center at 10 am to select teams and travel in groups to various sites in the Morgan, Derby, Charleston, and Brighton area to conduct butterfly surveys for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. We will have options for low intensity (roadside surveys, minimal walking) or medium intensity (1 – 3 miles of walking).

Grab a friend or come alone and join us for all or part of the day.

Take an easy and slow walk through the agricultural fields and meadows of Clear Brook Farm with VCE Conservation Biologists Kent McFarland and Amber Jones to learn about native wild bees and butterflies. Along the way, you’ll learn how to add your observations to the Vermont Atlas of life to help science and conservation. A casual picnic lunch will be provided by Clear Brook Farm following the walk. Following lunch, you’re welcome to join us for a nearby community science project—butterfly block busting for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. No prior experience is necessary to participate and have fun! Limited spots available – advance registration required.

Let’s go look for butterflies!

Scientists want to know what kind of butterflies live near you. Come join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Northfield Conservation Commission for a day of butterflying near Northfield, VT. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at the Brown Public Library at 10 am to select teams and travel in groups to various sites in the Williamstown, Roxbury, Berlin, and Northfield areas to conduct butterfly surveys for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. We will have options for low intensity (roadside surveys, minimal walking) or medium intensity (1 – 3 miles of walking).

Grab a friend or come alone and join us for all or part of the day.

Join VCE Loon Biologist Eloise Girard for a guided paddle with the loons at the beautiful Molly’s Falls Reservoir, a prime location to observe nesting loons and their chicks. You can expect to learn about loon behavior, conservation efforts, and how to respectfully admire these iconic birds up close. No experience is required to participate, but the physical ability to paddle in a canoe or kayak and to step in and out of a boat at a boat launch is necessary. Participants are welcome to join the trip leaders for a bring-your-own picnic lunch after our outing. Limited spots available – advance registration required.

Are you a science educator? Then join us for VCE’s Community Science Teacher Education Workshop!

In this four-day program, you’ll engage in inquiry-based exercises that incorporate both data collection and analysis, gain confidence incorporating field methods into your curriculum, work with open-access data, discuss both planning and conducting community science, and receive a primer on the ecology of Connecticut River’s Upper Valley.

No registration necessary!
Whether you’re a casual observer of the world around you or an expert scientist, join us for The Nature Museum’s Summer Bioblitz to discover and learn together! A bioblitz is a coordinated, communal effort to observe and document as many species in an area as possible within a short period of time. On Saturday, July 11th we invite our community to help us discover the wildlife neighbors who live in the varied habitats on our grounds.

During the Summer Bioblitz, join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies for butterflying trips around Grafton, Windham, and Londonderry. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

• Morning Trip: 10 am –12:30 pm
• Early Afternoon Trip: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
• Late Afternoon Trip: 1:30 pm – 4 pm

Let’s go look for butterflies!

Scientists want to know what kind of butterflies live near you. Come join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Vermont Land Trust for a day of butterflying near Jay, VT. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at the Jay Community Recreational Centre at 10 am to select teams and travel in groups to various sites in the Jay, Richford, and Montgomery area to conduct butterfly surveys for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. We will have options for low intensity (roadside surveys, minimal walking) or medium intensity (1 – 3 miles of walking).

Grab a friend or come alone and join us for all or part of the day.

Let’s go look for butterflies!

Scientists want to know what kind of butterflies live near you. Come join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Greensboro Conservation Commission for a day of butterflying near Greensboro, VT. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at a central location at 9:30 am to select teams and travel in groups to various sites in the Greensboro, Glover, Craftsbury, and Hardwick area to conduct butterfly surveys for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. We will have options for low intensity (roadside surveys, minimal walking) or medium intensity (1 – 3 miles of walking).

Grab a friend or come alone and join us for all or part of the day.

Butterflies are in your garden, along your hiking trails, and even along the side of the road. Did you know that you can help protect them just by noting it down when you see them? New or experienced butterfly watchers alike can join the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and Rutland County Audubon Society in West Rutland to meet other nature lovers and learn how to contribute to the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas.

In this four-hour, free workshop, you will learn how to identify local butterfly species, how to use community science tools like eButterfly and iNaturalist, get tips and tricks on photographing butterflies and more. This workshop will be both inside and outside and will include a lunch break.

Take an easy and slow walk through the agricultural fields at The Farm Upstream with VCE Bee Biologist Spencer Hardy to learn about native wild bees. Along the way, you’ll learn how to capture bees safely, identify bees, and add your observations to the Vermont Atlas of life to help science and conservation. You’re invited to join VCE staff for a casual bring-your-own picnic lunch on the farm following the walk. No prior experience is necessary to participate and have fun! Limited spots available – advance registration required.

Let’s go look for butterflies!

Scientists want to know what kind of butterflies live near you. Come join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the NorthWoods Stewardship Center for a day of butterflying near Brunswick, VT. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at the NorthWoods Stewardship Center at 10 am to select teams and travel in groups to various sites in the Brunswick and Ferdinand area to conduct butterfly surveys for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. We will have options for low intensity (roadside surveys, minimal walking) or medium intensity (1 – 3 miles of walking).

Grab a friend or come alone and join us for all or part of the day.

Let’s go look for butterflies!

Scientists want to know what kind of butterflies live near you. Come join a team from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Middlebury Area Land Trust for a day of butterflying near Middlebury, VT. This is a great opportunity to meet other nature lovers and learn about butterflies in the field with the experts. No experience necessary—just an interest in butterflies! All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at a central location at 10 am to select teams and travel in groups to various sites in the Middlebury, Salisbury, Shoreham, and Bridport area to conduct butterfly surveys for the Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas. We will have options for low intensity (roadside surveys, minimal walking) or medium intensity (1 – 3 miles of walking).

Grab a friend or come alone and join us for all or part of the day.