Workshops, Webinars, Field Trips, and Other Events

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.