April 26, 2004
Contact: Lisa M. Green, (802) 457-2779, ext. 107, lgreen@vinsweb.org

FLYING RAPTORS AT THE LEBANON OPERA HOUSE

Lebanon, NH – At 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, residents of the Upper Valley will have an opportunity to view live, free-flying raptors at the Lebanon Opera House hosted by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), a non-profit environmental organization. See live falcons, hawks, and owls soar through the air as VINS educators provide an introduction to these specialized flying hunters and describe what makes a bird a raptor. The presentation is a fun, educational opportunity to learn more about natural history, ecology, and adaptations of these magnificent predators.

VINS has successfully brought its raptor encounters to capacity crowds at the Vermont State House as well as other locations throughout Vermont including the Paramount Theatre in Rutland. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity right here in the Upper Valley!

VINS will open a state-of-the-art raptor exhibit close by one of New England’s natural wonders, Quechee Gorge on Saturday, June 12. The raptor exhibit, featuring a collection of North America’s finest birds of prey, will also have walking trails, a nature shop, and a variety of environmental educational programs.

VINS, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, was founded in Woodstock in 1972 by a group of local citizens intent on improving the water quality of the Ottauquechee River. Headquartered in Woodstock, VINS has regional offices in Montpelier and Manchester, VT. VINS’ educational programs serve more than 20,000 adults and 35,000 students each year. VINS has long been a leading research center for the study of migratory songbirds, common loons, peregrine falcons, and other threatened or endangered species. Its wildlife services department has treated and released thousands of injured wild birds of all species.