VINS Achieves Record-Breaking Year in Public Engagement and Wild Bird Care

QUECHEE, VT — The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) announces an unprecedented year of growth and achievement in 2024, setting multiple records in both public engagement and wildlife rehabilitation.

Public engagement reached new heights, with 86,369 visitors to the Nature Center over the course of 2024, demonstrating the community's strong interest in our mission of environmental education and wildlife conservation. VINS Educators visited 40 schools in the 2023/2024 academic year through VINS School Programs, giving 728 lessons to 2,385 individual students throughout the greater Upper Valley, and working directly with 419 individual teachers. One of our most popular education programs, VINS Nature Camp, saw 628 happy campers in the summer of 2024.

Additionally, our annual Forest of Lights event drew 12,809 people, our highest number of attendees in the three years of this ever-expanding annual holiday celebration.

The Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation and Ambassador Care also provided care for a record-breaking 1,254 birds in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 1,098. This milestone year included caring for 108 different species, the highest diversity ever recorded at the facility.

"This remarkable increase in numbers reflects both the growing awareness of the public and the expertise of our staff," said Alden Smith, Executive Director. The rehabilitation center witnessed several notable achievements, including:

• A record 507 baby birds were rehabilitated, exceeding the previous record of 443.
• An all-time high of 457 successful bird releases.
• Record numbers of specific species, including 119 Barred Owls and 63 Broad-winged Hawks.
• Care for unique cases including Common Goldeneye ducklings and a 20-year-old Golden Eagle.

The center experienced its busiest July ever, with 284 patients admitted, surpassing the previous record of 218. November saw a dramatic 50% increase in admissions, with 59 birds requiring care.

All of this growth happened in a year of major transition for the organization as well: Executive Director Charlie Rattigan retired after 10 years, and Alden Smith began as the new Executive Director in April 2024.

For more information about VINS programs, visit vinsweb.org.