Mission
Four Winds Nature Institute is a Vermont nonprofit organization advancing the understanding, appreciation and protection of the environment through community-based natural science education and research. Four Winds staff members are educators and scientists dedicated to helping children and adults gain the background knowledge and science skills needed to understand the world around them and the problem-solving and citizenship skills needed to protect it. Four Winds' programs strengthen communities by connection children, volunteers, teachers and families regularly with each other and with nearby nature. In choosing and developing programs, Four Winds is committed to those that address the following goals: (1) programs that increase people's knowledge of the natural world through direct observation, hands-on learning activities, and rich outdoor experiences; (2) programs that improve science literacy (content and skills) by encouraging people to explore their local environment; (3) pro