Workshops, Webinars, Field Trips, and Other Events

In this talk, Desirée Narango will share research that evaluates how different native plant species and characteristics influence interactions with pollinators and songbirds. Hosted by Wild Seed Project and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardners. A registration is required. Tickets are on a sliding scale.

“Wired for Flight: Technology and Triumphs in Bird Conservation”
VCE Data Scientist Mike Hallworth will present at this year’s Birders Meeting which will explore the intersection of birding, technology, and conservation—and how each of us can help birds thrive in a changing world.

Butterfly Trends & Duskywing ID Tips

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 community science coordinator Dana Williams for a look at the state of butterflies in the US, the accomplishments of the VBA in year 3, and get some ID tips on our difficult Duskywings of Vermont. All butterfly experience and skill levels welcome.

Join VCE bee biologist Spencer Hardy for an enlightening introduction to the 350+ species of wild bees that call Vermont home. Learn about their remarkable natural history, the challenges they face, and the simple yet powerful ways we can all help protect them. This talk is a part of the St. Johnsbury OLLI Spring Program.

Registration Fee for single OLLI talk: $10

Join Vermont Center for Ecostudies Staff Biologist Kevin Tolan, as we take a virtual step into the world of vernal pools and learn how to document and conserve these delicate ecosystems in your area. This talk is presented in partnership with the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC)

Following this presentation, Kevin will tour the state with a series of field events co-hosted with local conservation commissions. If you would like to schedule an event in your town, please reach out to Kevin at ktolan@vtecostudies.org. A complete list of dates and locations will be posted here as soon as it is available. Stay tuned for more details!

Not Easy Being Green: How Urbanization Impacts Amphibian Communities

Brian is a conservation ecologist whose research explores the impact of human-mediated environmental change on wildlife. From 2020-2024, he developed a project to study how urbanization affects frogs and toads in Northwest Ohio, and how we can use those beloved amphibians to protect habitat for dozens of other species. Brian will share stories and sound bites from the fascinating study of our imperiled amphibian friends, while discussing research on how to protect frogs in your own backyard.

Finding Host Plants & Caterpillars

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 staff biologist Amber Jones to learn about the VBA, butterfly host plants, and how to find caterpillars in the field. All butterfly experience and skill levels welcome.

Nectaring Butterflies

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 staff biologist Amber Jones to learn about the VBA and explore the nectaring plants that support our butterflies. All butterfly experience and skill levels welcome.

Firelight and the origins of storytelling
This talk will explore mounting evidence on the importance of firelight during human evolution, especially the origins of spoken language. Nate is an anthropologist and evolutionary biologist studying the behavior, ecology, and functional morphology of humans and nonhuman primates.

Butterflying by Habitat

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 how you can use habitats to find your target butterflies for the VBA. All butterfly experience and skill levels welcome.

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.

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.

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.