PRESS RELEASE
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Quechee, VT

CONTACT:
Molly Hutchins
Marketing Manager
802-359-5001, x220
mhutchins@vinsweb.org
www.vinsweb.org

VINS to Spin Off a New Ecology Research Organization as First Step in Broadening Its Support for Field-Based Science
Quechee, VT – July 13, 2007 – The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) this fall will spin off its nationally recognized ornithological research team to create a new independent organization focused on conservation ecology research. The new organization, to be known as the Institute of Conservation Ecology (ICE), will be led by Chris Rimmer, VINS' current conservation biology director, and include VINS biologists Steve Faccio, Eric Hanson, Julie Hart, Kent McFarland, and Rosalind Renfrew. ICE also will retain Dan Lambert of the American Bird Conservancy as a research associate.
While helping ICE establish itself as an independent research organization, VINS will continue conservation biology research and support other scientists and organizations engaged in field-based science. VINS' objectives are to help advance basic natural science research, particularly in New England, and to broaden the base of real science it can use for its own environmental education, avian care, and conservation programs.
John Dolan, VINS' president, elaborated, “VINS' mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research that are well integrated and mutually supportive. Just as we have redesigned our pedagogical approach to environmental education during the past year, we're rethinking how best to support basic natural science research and incorporate more of it into our education and wildlife programs. Moreover, given the reality of global warming, VINS believes it is critical to broaden the base of scientific research available to understand and address this threat. With limited resources, the best way to do this is to build collaborative networks among many different scientists who are doing a wide variety of field-based research.”
“My colleagues and I are very excited about establishing ICE,” commented Rimmer. “This is a positive move for VINS and for those of us establishing ICE. It will allow my colleagues and me to focus and solidify a robust conservation ecology research program. Under our new banner, we look forward to future collaborations with VINS and other conservation research organizations.”
Rimmer and his colleagues specialize in studying populations of migratory Vermont songbirds, specifically the Bicknell's Thrush and Bobolink, following these species each year from breeding areas in Vermont to their wintering grounds in Latin America. They have monitored changes in the birds' habitats at both ends of their migration ranges for the past 15 years.
For 35 years, VINS has nurtured children's and adults' interest in wildlife and the environment through its school-based environmental education programs, community environmental education and research programs, and nationally acclaimed avian rehabilitation work. VINS' programs enable children and adults of all ages to gain direct exposure to real current science and learn the value and importance of being responsible stewards of the natural world.
Founded in 1972, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is a non-profit education and research organization headquartered in Quechee, Vermont. VINS' mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research.

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