Workshop

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the BattenKill Watershed Comprehensive Invasive Species Management Association are co-hosting a workshop for landowners on combating invasive plants on Saturday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. in Manchester, Vermont. The workshop is free and open to the public and will last two to three hours. 

Biologist Travis Hart will present at the event.  He will highlight how to identify invasive plants in the region and give landowners tips on what to do if these plants are found on their property.  They will also discuss the impact that these plants can have on wildlife habitat.  The group will meet at the Burr and Burton Academy student parking lot on West Union Street in Manchester and walk over to the Equinox Preserve.

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The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is offering a New Instructor Training Course for people interested in volunteering to teach Hunter Education courses in Vermont.

The training will take place Saturday, March 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife office, 111 West Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Policies and procedures, field techniques and teaching methods will be covered to give instructors the tools to teach future hunters how to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Applicants are required to pass a background check with a Vermont State Game Warden and apprentice-teach with a chief instructor before they will receive their full State of Vermont Hunter Education Instructor certification. 

 “Our hunter education instructors are all volunteers, donating their time to pass on a cherished Vermont tradition,” said Pellegrini.  “The hours our instructors put in will leverage federal dollars that enable the Hunter Education Program to function.”

Those planning to attend should sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/InstructorTraining2019 or call 802-828-1193 prior to the course date.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request.  Requests should be made as early as possible.  Please call the office staff at 802-828-1193 (voice) or 1-800-253-0191 (TTY).

VTF&W photo by Jason Morin

Vermont Fish & Wildlife is conducting a Hunter Education Instructor Training March 23 at the Fish & Wildlife office in Essex Junction. 

CASTLETON, Vt. –Vermont wildlife photographer Brian Machanic will present ‘The Art in Birding’ at the Kehoe Education Center in Castleton, Vermont on Sunday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m. The presentation will be followed by a one-hour bird walk at the new Bonsawino Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the education center.

Machanic is a native Vermonter who has had a passion for wildlife since childhood and has been an avid naturalist and photographer his whole life.  He began selling scenic and wildlife images 30 years ago at his Nature’s Eye Studio in Charlotte and has published photos and stories in regional and national magazines. Machanic recently published his first book, entitled This Book Is for The Birds.

“During my presentation, viewers will get an up-close look at the beauty and unique attributes of various species through an exploration of a large portfolio of avian images – no binoculars or spotting scopes required!” said Machanic. 

Following Machanic’s presentation, participants will have an opportunity to take a one-hour field walk on the wildlife management area. Ali Thomas of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will lead the field walk and help participants identify some of the amazing birds that can be found there. 

The event is limited to the first 25 participants. To register, contact Ali Thomas at alison.thomas@vermont.govor 802-371-9975. 

Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019 - 9 am - 5 pm

Location: Dead Creek Visitor Center, Addison, VT

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking interested volunteers to serve as department ambassadors and greet visitors at the Dead Creek Visitor Center in Addison, Vermont.  The training will focus on customer service, the Fish & Wildlife Department’s mission, and tools to assist visitors about the region, the exhibits, and the wildlife management area.

“We’re looking for volunteers who enjoy talking to people and have a strong interest in fish and wildlife, conservation, and wildlife-based recreation,” said Amy Alfieri who manages the visitor center for Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “You don’t have to be an expert, just have an enthusiasm for nature and sharing information with visitors.” 

Pre-registration is required by March 17 by calling 802-759-2398 or emailing amy.alfieri@vermont.gov.

Guided wildlife walk at Turner Hill Wildlife Management Area sponsored by The Nature Museum.

On Saturday, March 9, join Chris Bernier, wildlife biologist with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, accompanied by Jay DeGregorio, Senior Environmental Educator at The Nature Museum, for an unique outdoor exploration. 

Date: Saturday, March 9, 2019 
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Ages: Adults and children over 13
Cost: $20 before March 1st, $25 after

Questions? Please contact Jay DeGregorio at jay@nature-museum.org.

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Event is Full

Free Guided wildlife walk at Middlesex Notch Wildlife Management Area

Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019 (Backup date: Sunday, February 17)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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Free guided wildlife walk at Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area.

Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019 (Backup date: Saturday, February 9)
Time:10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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Ali Thomas, education manager for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, will be leading the walk. An experienced naturalist and tracker who has worked on conservation education projects throughout the country, Thomas studied under renowned wildlife tracker James Halfpenny.  She currently manages the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s popular summer youth conservation camp program, and trains teachers and other educators how to engage students with the natural world. 

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Dead Creek Wildlife Day offers something for everyone. The day is filled with wildlife demonstrations and guided nature walks. Come for an hour or stay for the day!

Saturday, October 7, 2023
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Free Admission and Parking

Be sure to visit our new Visitor Center, featuring interactive displays and wildlife exhibits!

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Join Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department photographer Tom Rogers for a workshop on wildlife and nature photography, hosted by Audubon Vermont. The workshop is geared for beginners who want to get the basics of wildlife photography. 

The workshop will begin with a brief presentation on the basics of proper exposure, depth of field, and use of camera equipment, followed by a field session at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington. Debbie Archer from Audubon Vermont will be on hand to help find wildlife and to provide a naturalist’s prospective. Participants should bring their own camera equipment, including a tripod and binoculars if they own them. The event will be limited to 12 participants.

Tom Rogers is a trained wildlife biologist and photographer and has photographed in 29 countries. 

“Our abundant wildlife is one aspect of Vermont’s special landscape. This workshop offers a chance to learn how to frame and capture wildlife through the lens of a camera,” said Rogers. “From a songbird surrounded by spring blossoms to a winding mountain stream, we’ll review the basics to taking beautiful wildlife and outdoor images.”

“Wildlife and nature photography can present some of the most challenging conditions for a photographer, between difficult weather conditions and wildlife that never holds still,” said Rogers. “But with an understanding of a few basic techniques, along with some patience and luck, the results can be stunning.”

We will be providing light refreshments, and participants are encouraged to bring dinner with them. The cost of the workshop is $15 for members ($20 non-members), which goes to support Audubon Vermont, along with a suggested purchase of a Vermont Habitat Stamp from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

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