Join VCE and Sustainable Woodstock for the premiere of a short documentary on our backyard tick spraying study. Q&A with VCE scientists Jason Hill and Amber Jones, plus Xerces Society's agricultural conservation lead Emily May, to follow.
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
Identifying the Wild Bees That Pollinate Vermont’s Crops
Large bees such as bumble bees are relatively easy to identify to species in the field, but smaller bees like mason bees, mining bees, sweat bees, cuckoo bees, scissor bees or cellophane bees need a closer look.
Executive Director Susan Hindinger Announces Her Departure
With a mix of excitement and sadness, we write to report that Executive Director Susan Hindinger has decided to retire from VCE at the end of this year to tend to her family obligations.
Field Guide to September 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.
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.
