FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Woodstock, Vermont

CONTACT: Jason Drebitko, President and CEO, Vermont Institute of Natural Science; PH: 802.457.2779

April 20, 2006

VERMONT INSTITUTE of NATURAL SCIENCE (VINS) RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANTS to CONTINUE CONSTRUCTION at the VINS NATURE CENTER in QUECHEE, VERMONT

Federal appropriations totaling $1.9 million will allow the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) to begin construction of classroom and offices for education and research programs at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee, Vermont.

"For many years, VINS has devoted itself to performing cutting edge research, rehabilitating wildlife, and providing Vermont's school children with the opportunity to study and explore nature," said Senator Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., who secured the $1.9 million in federal grants for this phase of the VINS Nature Center. "These new facilities should make VINS's important programs stronger than ever."

"Senator Jeffords' leadership as a champion for the environment has allowed VINS to move forward on the development of a leading environmental learning center in Quechee. We are grateful for his efforts and support of this important project," said VINS President and CEO, Jason Drebitko.

The continuing construction at the environmental learning center includes a new 6,900-square-foot multipurpose building to house a classroom for educational programs and serve as the headquarters for all of VINS science, education and administrative staff. Once completed in early fall, VINS will consolidate its staff from its original home in Woodstock to the new 47-acre campus in Quechee. This second phase of the project will also include additional year-round exhibits, landscaping and amenities that will enhance the overall visitor experience.

This season, VINS will introduce new interactive exhibits at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee. "Ribbit!" is a traveling exhibit from the New England Aquarium revealing the secret lives of frogs from New England and around the world. Later this fall, VINS will add additional indoor exhibit space and install a new exhibit that will introduce visitors to the dynamics of animal flight. Outdoors, new trails and a new outdoor kinetic sculpture will offer families and students of all ages the opportunity to explore their natural curiosity.

In June 2004, VINS opened Phase One of its planned environmental learning center with state-of-the-art bird-of-prey exhibits, an interpretive nature trail, and a nature shop. Since opening, the Nature Center has welcomed over 81,000 visitors.

VINS President and CEO Jason Drebitko said, "This is an exciting next step for VINS. The completion of this new facility will allow us to consolidate our staff on one site and better provide for our broad education and research initiatives which continue to achieve success across the region and even internationally."

Founded in 1972, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is a non-profit 501(c)3, member-supported organization currently headquartered in Woodstock, Vermont, with locations in Quechee, Manchester and Montpelier.

VINS's mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research designed to engage individuals in the active care of their environment. After more than 30 years, VINS has evolved into an organization dedicated to inspire one generation after the next to make choices that lead to healthy natural and human communities. Through education about the values and benefits of the natural world, people, particularly children, will begin to appreciate, love, and ultimately want to nurture and protect the environment.

LINK TO PHOTO:
http://www.vinsweb.org/assets/jpg/VNNEnclosures.jpg

Photo Caption: VINS welcomes thousands of visitors to Phase One of its planned environmental learning center with state-of-the-art bird-of-prey exhibits, interpretive nature trail, and nature shop. Phase Two of the center is underway with the help of $1.9 million in federal grants secured by Senator Jim Jeffords, I-Vt.