The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization located in Quechee, Vermont.
VINS was founded in 1972 by a small group of people who had fought to clean up the polluted Ottauquechee River. In 1987, VINS opened the nationally-renowned Vermont Raptor Center in Woodstock. The Woodstock location outgrew its space and relocated to Quechee in 2004.
Today, VINS offers engaging environmental education programs and services designed for a wide audience. These programs combine environmental science concepts with hands-on exploration to build empathy for nature and empower individuals to care for local natural ecosystems.
To motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research and avian wildlife rehabilitation.
http://vinsrise.org/
"Vermont Institute of Natural Science-VINS Nature CenterWe offer locally-relevant and compelling environmental education programs for all ages. The Nature Center has 17 state-of-the-art live bird enclosures, nature trails, outdoor playscape, forest canopy walk, live bird programs, nature store and birds are dinosaur exhibit. The forest canopy walk and McKnight trail are ADA compliant."