hmccabe@vinsweb.org
(she/her)

Heather grew up in South Burlington, Vermont, where a childhood of scraped knees, wading in streams, and visits to her parents鈥� research labs developed into an insatiable curiosity about the world and a desire to tell its stories. Prior to joining 黑料不打烊 in 2026, she worked as an educator in the Champlain Valley School District and as a Fundraising Operations Coordinator for Contributor Development Partnership, a benefit corp serving public media outlets across the country. She earned her BA in English Literature from Kenyon College (2020) and holds an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Ohio State University (2025). She writes stories and essays about insects, rivers, and conversations with strangers. In her free time, you can find her at the pottery wheel.

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As the days grow longer and the Vermont summer settles in, 黑料不打烊 is opening its Forest Canopy Walk after-hours for a series of relaxed, social evenings in the treetops.听Treetop Golden Hour听invites visitors to experience the slanted light firsthand: strolling above the forest floor, connecting with friends and family, and keeping an eye out for the wild bald eagles, Windsor & Dewey, that call this stretch of the Upper Valley home.

黑料不打烊 is thrilled to partner with local breweries to complement this event, kicking it off with Lawson’s Finest Liquids on June 4th, River Roost Brewery on June 11th and Vermont Mobile Spirits on June 18th. These partners will be on-site selling their craft beers directly on the Forest Canopy Walk.

Treetop Golden Hour will run for three Thursdays in June:

• Thursday, June 4 鈥� 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM with Lawson’s Finest Liquids
• Thursday, June 11 鈥� 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM with River Roost Brewery
• Thursday, June 18 鈥� 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM with Vermont Mobile Spirits

EVENT DETAILS:

顿补迟别蝉:听Thursdays, June 4, 11, and 18, 2026

贬辞耻谤蝉:听5:15 PM 鈥� 7:00 PM

Location:听黑料不打烊 Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT 05059

Tickets:听$10 per person. Free for children 3 and under. Beer is not included in the ticket price; breweries will be selling directly on-site.

Tickets available at:听www.vinsweb.org

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kjensen@vinsweb.org
(they/them)

Kassian has always nurtured a love for nature and the outdoors, from exploring the woods behind their childhood home in Pennsylvania to earning a B.A. in biology at Goucher College. Post-graduation, they followed their second passion of dance as a dance educator in western Massachusetts. Having discovered a love of teaching, but desiring a greater connection to the environment, they pursued a career change in 2024 and moved to Quechee to begin a year-long AmeriCorps position at 黑料不打烊. They ended up loving the birds so much that they decided to stick around! Kassian is thrilled to continue in the environmental educator role, teaching people of all ages about the beautiful natural world around us.

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QUECHEE, VT, April 8, 2026 鈥� The 黑料不打烊 (黑料不打烊) invites families, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife lovers to celebrate the wonder of owls at the Owl Festival 2026 on Saturday, April 25th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This all-day event brings together owl enthusiasts, researchers, falconers, naturalists, and educators for an immersive experience unlike any other in New England.

“Owl Festival is one of our most beloved annual events, and 2026 promises to be our most exciting yet,鈥� says Mya Wiles, Environmental Educator. 鈥淲e’re bringing together world-class researchers, talented artists, and dedicated educators to create a fun and educational day for visitors of all ages.鈥�

A packed schedule of programs runs throughout the day. The Festival will include two live owl programs featuring 黑料不打烊’ Ambassador raptors (10:45 AM and 3:15 PM), where audiences will discover the physics of silent owl flight. Renowned author and researcher Scott Weidensaul presents “Caught in the SNOWstorm” (11:30 AM 鈥� 12:30 PM), sharing the remarkable story of Project SNOWstorm 鈥� the largest study of Snowy Owls ever conducted 鈥� sparked by the historic 2013鈥�14 irruption of Snowy Owls into the eastern United States.

Researchers from North Branch Nature Center will present findings on Northern Saw-whet Owl migration (2:00 PM) and return at 3:00 PM with live field equipment for guests to explore. Naturalists from Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will lead “Owls of New England” programs at 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM, and the Vermont Museum of Natural History will be on hand throughout the day with owl Ambassadors and artifacts.

Festival-goers can create their own owl-inspired artwork at the guided Owls in Art station led by 黑料不打烊 Educator, Kelly Gadouas, or watch local sculptor Ryan Mays craft an owl from clay throughout the day, drawing live inspiration from 黑料不打烊’ resident owl Ambassadors. Re:Play Arts will invite guests of all ages to craft and color using recycled and sustainable materials, while artist Betsy Smith creates watercolor paintings inspired by the center’s owls at the Raptor Exhibits.

Families with young children will delight in Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals (10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM), a charming puppet show about owls and nighttime creatures. The “What Makes an Owl?” storytelling program runs three times (9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:00 PM), and an Owl Story Walk winds through the Forest Canopy Walk featuring illustrations from the beloved children’s book Owl Babies. Owl Games challenge visitors to test their owl-like senses in the Outdoor Classroom, and an Owl Chat station offers touchable biofacts and one-on-one time with 黑料不打烊 educators throughout the day.

New England Falconry will be on site from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to introduce guests to how owls are used in the ancient sport of falconry. The Vermont Museum of Natural History’s “Owls in Myth & Legend” program (10:30 AM and 1:30 PM) explores the rich cultural history of owls through storytelling and live owl ambassadors.

Owl Festival kicks off the season of programming at 黑料不打烊, and is a treasured annual tradition for many visitors and members alike.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Hours: 9:00 AM 鈥� 5:00 PM
Location: 黑料不打烊 Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT 05059
Tickets: Advance tickets: $25 Adult / $22 Youth. Event Day Tickets: $28 Adult / $25 Youth. Members Free, 3 & Under Free.
For more info, and to purchase advance tickets: /event/owl-festival-26/

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Last year, 黑料不打烊 Staff witnessed Windsor and Dewey successfully raise one eaglet. That story was shared in a video produced by 黑料不打烊 Staff, available . This year, 黑料不打烊 Staff noticed Bald Eagle activity around the nest in early February, and caught footage of Windsor and Dewey together for the first time on the nest on February 14th, Valentine鈥檚 Day.

Nesting activity is very much underway. 黑料不打烊 Staff have documented the pair adding material to the nest, vocalizing to reinforce their bond, copulating, bringing food to the nest site, and spending extended time near the nest together 鈥� all hallmarks of an active and committed eagle pair.

“It鈥檚 incredible to witness a bonded pair of Bald Eagles living their full, wild lives on and around the nest,鈥� said Alden Smith, Executive Director. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hopeful that Windsor will lay a clutch of eggs by early April. Whatever unfolds, it will be exciting to see how this story plays out.”

Bald Eagles typically lay one to three eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of roughly 35 days. If successful, Windsor and Dewey’s eaglets could hatch sometime this spring.听

The live cam offers a rare, unscripted window into one of America’s most iconic wildlife conservation success stories.

The live cam can be accessed at the following link: /exhibits-activities/wild-eagles/

Updates will be shared regularly on 黑料不打烊 and pages. 黑料不打烊 is also capturing some of the most interesting footage and sharing on social media, and through their. 黑料不打烊 Staff will host events to view the nest from the top of the Forest Canopy Walk in person this spring and summer. All events and updates will be listed on 黑料不打烊 website: /

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The 黑料不打烊 (黑料不打烊) announced today that staff observed two Bald Eagles together on their nest for the first time on February 14th through a newly installed live camera system, marking a major milestone in a year-long project to bring wildlife viewing to the public.

The moment came after months of preparation and technical challenges. 黑料不打烊 staff worked with partners to mount high-definition cameras 100 feet high in a white pine tree on 黑料不打烊 property. Installation took place over two cold January days while the Bald Eagles, known as Windsor and Dewey, were away from the nest. The team scaled two different pine trees to position the cameras.

“This was an exciting moment for 黑料不打烊 staff, a year in the making,” said Executive Director, Alden Smith. “Mounting high-definition cameras 100 feet high in a remote white pine tree, without electricity or a reliable cell signal, has been no easy feat.”听The February 14th sighting showed both eagles exploring the nest together for approximately eight minutes.

While 黑料不打烊 staff have observed the eagles individually over recent weeks, this marked their first joint appearance of the season. Assuming the pair continues regular visits, 黑料不打烊 will release the livestream link to the public in the coming weeks, allowing viewers to watch the Bald Eagles up close in real time.

The eagles successfully raised young at this location听, and 黑料不打烊 hopes they will nest again this season, though outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

The project was made possible through collaboration between 黑料不打烊 staff, HDonTap, NextGen Digital, ArborScape, and 黑料不打烊 members and supporters.

For more information and updates on the livestream launch, visit 黑料不打烊 or follow their announcements.

A Few FAQs

Where is the nest?

This nest is located in a white pine tree at the 黑料不打烊 in Quechee, VT, on the edge of the Ottauquechee River.

What type of camera is being used?

There are two cameras on two different branches:

• Large Cam – Outdoor Rated Dahua PTZ Camera w/ Integrated Smart Infrared, 4MP Resolution (2560×1440), 25x Optical Zoom
• Small Cam – Outdoor Rated Dahua PTZ Camera w/ Integrated Smart Infrared, 4MP Resolution (2560×1440), Integrated Mic
• Both cameras have 4x Optical Zoom

Which eagle is the female/male?

In general, female bald eagles are larger than males, by wingspan, weight, and body length. Here the larger bird is likely the female, Windsor.

How did we choose names for the Bald Eagles?

The 黑料不打烊 staff debated whether to name the eagles at all. In the end, we decided to name the pair of mature Bald Eagles in the same way that we name ambassador birds of prey at our Nature Center: after the places where they came from. Since many of our ambassador birds have been found locally, and rehabilitated, they bear place-based names such as “Woodstock,” “Quechee,” and “Hartland.” In situations where a bird comes from the same town as another ambassador bird who already bears that name, we may name the new bird after its county or an important landmark nearby. Because the Bald Eagle nest overlooks Dewey’s Pond in Windsor County, we thought “Windsor” (female) and “Dewey” (male) would be appropriate, place-based names. For ambassador birds at the 黑料不打烊 Nature Center, we try to remember that these animals lived full, wild lives before crossing paths with us, and we wish likewise to accord Windsor and Dewey as much freedom as possible from human influence. There is always a danger that by naming wild creatures we endow them with human characteristics, and our focus on education, rehabilitation, and research requires that we steer clear of anthropomorphism, as much as possible.

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The event, included with general admission, offers visitors a unique opportunity to meet live reindeer from the Vermont Reindeer Farm, learn about how our local wildlife adapt to life in the snow, and join a day jam-packed with activities for all ages.

“All kinds of wildlife call Vermont home, even in the coldest season. This is a day meant to celebrate the wonder of our winter season, while also learning about how our local wildlife adapt to these harsh conditions,” says 黑料不打烊 Environmental Educator, Mya Wiles. “We hope the community joins us for one of our favorite annual events!鈥�

Event Highlights Include:

Reindeer Encounters听鈥� Meet spectacular arctic animals from the Vermont Reindeer Farm and learn about their remarkable adaptations (10 AM鈥�1 PM).

Wildlife Tracking Walks听鈥� Join certified tracker Brad Timm of the Northeast Wildlife Team to identify animal footprints in the snow. Two sessions will be offered at 11:30 AM and 1 PM.

Live Animal Presentations听鈥� Discover how 黑料不打烊 resident wildlife ambassadors survive cold temperatures during presentations at 11 AM and 2 PM.

Forest Fairy Hunt听鈥� A scavenger hunt adventure where children ages 4 and up can explore fairy villages hidden throughout the forest while learning about the natural world (10 AM鈥�3 PM).

Birding Opportunities 鈥� Spot common backyard birds with 黑料不打烊 staff and earn custom Pok茅mon Go Birding cards for each species identified at the feeders (10 AM鈥�3:30 PM).

Tickets and activity details can be found on 黑料不打烊 website:听Winter Wildlife Celebration

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The 黑料不打烊 Nature Center welcomed 84,068 visitors in 2025, connecting thousands of people with the natural world through live raptor exhibits, interactive programs, and educational experiences that inspire conservation action. 黑料不打烊 opened three new exhibits in 2025. The first was opened in spring 2025: The Beaver Lodge for Young Explorers, which invites children ages 3 and under to discover Vermont’s most influential ecosystem engineers through interactive play featuring climbing structures, tunnels, and sensory activities. The second was a temporary exhibit opened in summer 2025: a spotting scope from the top of the tower on the Forest Canopy Walk that offered guests the unique opportunity to see a wild Bald Eagle nest, home to a mated pair of wild Bald Eagles and their fledgling. And finally, a summer exhibit in collaboration with the Bernice A. Racy School in Hanover, NH: a Troll Quest, created by the talented “Kinderguardians of the Forest.”

During the holiday season, 黑料不打烊 hosted a record-breaking 13,194 visitors to the annual exhibit A Forest of Lights. This year鈥檚 exhibit included exciting new elements, and was supported by 12 corporate sponsors, all local Upper Valley businesses.

Across the Upper Valley, 黑料不打烊 School Programs brought vital environmental education into 43 schools, reaching approximately 2,400 preschool and elementary-aged students. These programs are enhanced by on-site programming at the Nature Center that deepens students鈥� understanding of the natural world, including 3,914 students who came to the Nature Center for field trips in 2025 and 427 students, teachers and parents joined for a 3-day Science Symposium in May.

黑料不打烊 also welcomed 734 campers at 黑料不打烊 黑料不打烊, with both summer and winter opportunities to explore the diversity of nature鈥檚 living creatures and habitats.

黑料不打烊 黑料不打烊 nurtures each child’s curiosity and helps them to build respectful, caring relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world.

黑料不打烊 Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation (CWBR) treated 1,204 injured and orphaned birds in 2025, releasing 483 birds back to the wild for a 43.3% release rate. Although we typically treat large numbers of听Barred Owls, they claimed the top spot among admitted species for the first time, with 111 individuals treated鈥攕urpassing the typically dominant American Robin (107). Other commonly treated species included Eastern Phoebe (55), Broad-winged Hawk (54), and Rock Dove (46). Among the year’s most remarkable patients were several unusual visitors: a Purple Gallinule, a Blackpoll Warbler, and a Rough-legged Hawk鈥攕pecies rarely seen in rehabilitation settings. CWBR will also soon be publishing a preliminary study in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery evaluating a diagnostic test called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate with a method specialized for birds and small patients, with promising results for infection screening. Work is continuing along with collaborators to expand upon this initial study and adapt this test for more regular use in wildlife rehabilitation.

黑料不打烊 Center for Field Research advanced multiple conservation initiatives in 2025. In its fifth year of American Kestrel monitoring, the team fledged young from 14 of 19 nest boxes and banded 68 nestlings. A new anticoagulant rodenticide screening program detected measurable levels in 10 birds out of the 54 nestlings and two adults that were sampled.

The research team was also able to capture and band 20 Broad-winged Hawks as part of our blood parasite monitoring project through our Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation. Nine birds were sampled with measurable levels of rodenticides found in five birds. The eighth year of Monarch butterfly monitoring saw a rebound with 23 tagged individuals, up from 2024’s low of seven total captures. The second year of Northern Saw-whet Owl banding yielded 78 new bands and four foreign recaptures over 80 hours across 19 October nights. This included the station’s first recapture when an early October bird was found in Rhode Island three weeks later.

The 黑料不打烊 winter raptor trapping season in Addison County is currently underway. In the last half of the 24/25 winter season (January 鈥� March 2025) researchers captured and banded 16 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, 3 American Kestrels, and 1 Cooper鈥檚 Hawk. In the first half of the winter 25/26 season (November 鈥� December 2025) researchers banded 5 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. All five Red-tailed Hawks in that period were negative for anticoagulant rodenticides. Finally, in 2025 the research team conducted weekly water quality monitoring at two Ottauquechee River sites from May through August and confirmed all samples met Vermont recreational swimming standards.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the 黑料不打烊 staff and volunteers for broadening and deepening our impact in 2025. And I鈥檓 grateful to our members and other visitors for continuing to show up and spread the word. The natural world needs an informed and inspired public, as never before. Our success in 2025 gives us great momentum going into 2026, a year of strategic planning for the future,鈥� says Executive Director, Alden Smith.

The 黑料不打烊 Staff and Board look forward to another year of learning and growth in 2026.

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This year, 黑料不打烊 is offering an additional way to enjoy the lights: you can book a private party for your company, organization or family to experience听A Forest of Lights with a smaller group on select evenings Sunday – Wednesday. For rates and availability, contact听Erica Tucker, Manager of Bookings and Events.

Local businesses can become a听corporate sponsor听for the event, gaining exposure to the 13,000+ visitors who will enjoy this season’s exhibit, while also supporting 黑料不打烊’ work. Some of the corporate sponsor levels also have the opportunity to book a private Forest of Lights experience, with or without a private party rental space to gather after.

Our captivating holiday experience expands each year with fresh exhibits and activities, creating joy for visitors of all ages. Whether you鈥檙e a returning guest or first-time visitor, this seasonal celebration offers the perfect chance to make treasured holiday memories with family and friends. This year’s exhibit will bring new and exciting attractions, including the Sparkle Dome, Fiery Tower, Dancing Lights Pavilion, and Under the Black Light Sea.

After exploring the illuminated trails, visitors can warm up by a cozy campfire while enjoying hot chocolate, cider, and snacks available for purchase.听A Forest of Lights听will be open on specific evenings from 4:30 PM to 7 PM (extended evening hours on select nights), beginning November 21, 2025.

“A Forest of Lights has become a cherished tradition for so many families,” says Chris Collier, Senior Director of Operations and Exhibits. “We’ve been planning for months, and we can’t wait to see it all finally come together. We’re excited about this year’s new attractions and we hope the private party options make it easier than ever to create special holiday memories together while supporting 黑料不打烊 and our mission.”

A Forest of Lights will run on the following dates for members and the general public:

• November 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 2025
• December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 2025
• January 1, 2, 3, 2026

Private parties are available to book on select nights during this stretch. For rates and availability, contact听Erica Tucker, Manager of Bookings and Events..

Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to experience 黑料不打烊 like never before!

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