Saturday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. —QUECHEE— The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) will hold a day of exploring the amazing diversity of mammals. Discover the specialties of furred cousins and find out how important they are to ecosystems. Meet a few live mammals that could live in your backyard with Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and explore the wonderful world of goats with Five Rooster Farm. Hear tales of the mystical world of mammals with Southern Vermont Natural History Museum. And learn all about being a mammalogist with Delaware Valley University Professor Reg Hoyt.
Schedule
All Day / 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Southern Vermont Natural History Museum: Explore pelts and skulls of mammals across the world and meet a live mammal.
Five Rooster Farm: Discover the world of keeping goats. Learn all about their development and what it takes to care for goats.
Mammals of the Canopy Walk: Explore the wild mammals of VINS with images and videos from our trail cameras.
Tracks and Scats: How can you know who lives near you? Learn about what mammals leave behind!
Skull Matching: Test your knowledge and match the mammal with its skull! Learn about how to identify mammal skulls and what you can learn about their diet.
Mammal Crafts: Set your creativity free and be inspired by the wonderful world of mammals.
10:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m.–12:45 p.m. / 4 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
Raptor Encounter: Meet one of our avian education ambassadors up close.
11 a.m.–Noon
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center: Meet some of the magnificent mammals that live in the forests around us.
1 p.m.–2 p.m.
“The Age of Mammals – Beginnings, Growth, and Decline” with Professor Reg Hoyt. Look at the age of mammals from their start during the age of dinosaurs, to their ultimate replacement of dinosaurs, to today. What are the challenges of today’s mammals, and how we can all learn to appreciate and preserve them. With a long career that has spanned working in zoos to conservation work around the world, Prof. Hoyt will talk about some of the species he has worked with and cherishes.
2 p.m.–3 p.m.
Southern Vermont Natural History Museum: Take a journey with a naturalist who will share tales of animals and magic from around the world.
3 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Five Rooster Farm: What do you call a baby goat? How long does it take for them to grow their horns? What do their headbutts mean? Can you train a goat? Learn all about goats and how they are cared for.
3:30 p.m.–4 p.m.
What’s the difference between a rabbit and a hare? How far can they hop? And what does it take to care for them? Join a VINS educator to meet some lovely lagomorphs.
For more information, visit: vinsweb.org.
