The Bicknell's Thrush Race to the Atlantic is on!
This September, our scientists tagged 17 Bicknell’s Thrushes near the top of Mount Mansfield. Support Bicknell's Thrush research by picking your favorite bird and following along on their perilous journey south!
Uniting People and Science for Conservation
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies advances biodiversity conservation across the Americas through research, monitoring, and community engagement. We envision a society that sustains healthy ecosystems through science-based decision making.
Latest from the Blog
Field Guide to October 2026
Keep your eyes sharp this month! You might see a migrating dragonfly or a vagrant hummingbird. At the very least, it pays to keep your wits about you in case you encounter a certain pollinator and beneficial insect. That’s right, we’re talking about yellow jackets.
Field Report: We’re Ready to Detect Tagged Bicknell’s Thrush as They Arrive to the Caribbean
VCE conservation biologist Jim Goetz teams up with local contacts in the Dominican Republic to set up the first of four Motus stations on the north coast of the island, filling a critical gap in VCE’s ability to track Bicknell’s Thrushes in their overwintering habitat
When the Prize Flies Away
Follow VCE’s Seasonal Butterfly Atlas Technician Jill DeVito as she wanders through meadows in search of elusive butterflies, collecting valuable data for The Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas.
Explore Our Impact
Scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals
34Years that VCE has led the charge to research, monitor, and conserve Bicknell's Thrush
55Vermont wild bee species targeted for urgent conservation in 9 “Important Bee Areas” identified by the Vermont Wild Bee Survey
147Territorial loon pairs recorded in Vermont by LoonWatch
900+Community scientists participating in VCE-led field studies
1 millionResearch-grade biodiversity records confirmed on iNaturalist Vermont
What We Do
With the help of hundreds of volunteers and partners, we lead monitoring and research projects focused on the status and ecology of birds, amphibians, insects, and other species. We then publish and share our findings with policymakers, land stewards, gardeners, and wildlife lovers so everyone can take science-backed action to protect biodiversity—from backyards to mountain peaks. Read about some of our current projects below.
Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas
The Vermont Butterfly Atlas is a five-year survey that is completed every 20 years with the help of volunteer community scientists, who document the abundance and distribution of butterflies across Vermont.
Learn more and join »
Vermont Loon Conservation Project
Four decades ago, Vermont had only seven pairs of Common Loons left in the state. Now 115 nesting pairs call our lakes and ponds home, and the number continues to increase. This conservation triumph is the result of many organizations and people—including regular folks like you—working together.
Learn more and join »
New England Grasslands Ambassadors Program
The New England Grasslands Ambassadors program supports landowners and farmers in managing open fields in ways that benefit both working lands and grassland birds. The Vermont Center for Ecostudies provides guidance tailored to local needs, so together we can conserve the open landscapes Vermonters care deeply about.
Learn more and join »Events
Workshops, Webinars, Field Trips, and More
Attending an event with VCE staff members is a phenomenal way to expand your knowledge about our region’s natural wonders and get the latest research updates.
