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The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) were pleased to announce the formation of a multi-year partnership to deliver environmental education programming to communities throughout New England, as well as, at VINS' education center in Quechee, VT.  VINS is well recognized in the upper Connecticut River valley as a leader in bird conservation and environmental education.  In addition to the strong correlation between VINS' service area and the Conte NFWR's watershed-based scope, this partnership represents an ideal blending of resources whereby the cadre of experienced educators at VINS will deploy teaching resources provided by the Service.  Typical messages will highlight the array of wildlife and habitats found on the Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, habitat management efforts, and encourage local stewardship through "adopt-a-habitat"-type programs.  In addition, Conte and VINS's staff will team up to present the refuge's mobile visitor center, due to be completed later this summer.

Founded in 1972, VINS is a nonprofit environmental education and research organization based in Quechee, Vermont.  VINS' mission is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation.