VCE Science Projects

Eastern Meadowlark Conservation

The Eastern Meadowlark, a large member of the blackbird family, is a favorite among birders for its bright yellow breast and gentle, whistled song. VCE is working to keep this iconic grassland bird on the Vermont landscape through outreach, targeted monitoring, and community-sourced data. By tracking meadowlark locations and population trends, you can help ensure future generations can continue to experience the songs and presence of the Eastern Meadowlark across Vermont.

Taxa: Birds Ecosystem: Grasslands & Meadows Region: Vermont Volunteers: Yes - Beginner

Mountain Birdwatch

Every year for 25 seasons, Mountain Birdwatch's community scientists have hiked over 100 routes across eastern New York and Northern New England in June. The data they collect provides powerful insight into the health of bird populations that reside in our montane spruce-fir forests.

Taxa: Birds Ecosystem: Mountains Region: Northeastern US Volunteers: Yes - Intermediate

Pollinator Interactions on Plants

In February of 2023, VCE launched a community science project studying plant-insect interactions across the northeastern United States. It's called the Pollinator Interactions on Plants project, or ‘PIP’ for short. You can contribute—all you need is a camera (or your phone), and an enthusiasm for observing insect life and flowers around you.

Taxa: Invertebrates, Birds Ecosystem: Developed, Agricultural Region: Northeastern US Volunteers: Yes - Beginner

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.

Taxa: Invertebrates Ecosystem: Grasslands & Meadows, Forests, Developed, Mountains, Agricultural Region: Vermont Volunteers: Yes - Beginner

Vermont Atlas of Life

The Vermont Atlas of Life is a library of knowledge on Vermont’s animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms—an online, real-time resource with maps, photographs, and primary biodiversity data open for anyone to use.

Taxa: Amphibians, Invertebrates, Mammals, Plants, Reptiles, Mollusks, Arachnids, Birds, Fungi, Fish Ecosystem: Forests, Grasslands & Meadows, Mountains, Developed, Lakes & Ponds, Agricultural Region: Vermont Volunteers: Yes - Beginner

Vermont Breeding Bird Survey

For more than 60 summers, expert volunteer birders have risen before dawn to count birds along roadside routes across North America. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the continent’s longest-running landbird monitoring program, a cornerstone of modern bird conservation.

Taxa: Birds Ecosystem: Forests, Grasslands & Meadows, Mountains, Lakes & Ponds, Developed, Agricultural Region: Vermont Volunteers: Yes - Advanced

Vermont Wild Bee Survey

Wild bees are a diverse and ecologically important insect group. And as one of the most important groups of pollinators, they provide essential ecological and agricultural services.

Taxa: Invertebrates Ecosystem: Forests, Grasslands & Meadows, Developed, Agricultural Region: Vermont Volunteers: Yes - Beginner