2026 Missisquoi Wildlife Fair
Join the Friends for the 3rd Annual Missisquoi Wildlife Fair happening rain or shine at the Visitor Center on Tabor Road. Bring the family and enjoy presentations and activities for all nature enthusiasts, young and old. A bird walk with the Green Mountain Bird Alliance will begin at 8:00AM, and a beginner’s bird walk at 9:00AM, but all other exhibits and activities will run from 10:00AM - 2:00PM at the Visitors Center.
Some events require registration.
Scheduled Events
Bird Walk
8:00 AM
Stephen Young Marsh Trail
Join the Green Mountain Bird Alliance on a 1-mile loop around the Stephen Young Marsh to find who’s using the Refuge during fall migration. Meet at the trailhead parking lot about 1 mile south of the Visitor Center on Tabor Road. Please register below for this event.
Youth and Beginner’s Bird Walk
9:00 AM
Stephen Young Marsh Trail
This bird walk is geared specifically for youth and adults who are new to birding. It will be a slow pace to help you learn the basics of finding, watching, and understanding birds. Meet at the trailhead parking lot about 1 mile south of the Visitor Center on Tabor Road. Please register below for this event.
Naturalist Walk
10:00 AM
Discovery Trail
Join Beth Deimling and Mary Ann Schlegel on this walk to learn about some of the flora and fauna on the Refuge. Please register below for this event.
Exhibitors
10:00 - 2:00 PM
Visitor Center
Many local conservation groups and agencies will be set up with information, demonstrations, and fun activities.
Bumble Bee Project
1:00 PM
Visitor Center
Join Missisquoi staff biologist, Judy Sefchick, to learn about the Bumble Bee Project. Judy will take participants into the field to learn how the bees are netted and identified and why the project is important.
Kids’ Activities
10:00 - 2:00 PM
Visitor Center
Multiple activities for kids and families. Passport available for children to visit multiple activities and receive a limited edition patch. Activities include
Scavenger hunts
Patterns in Nature
Art activity
Explore refuge equipment
Science exploration
Caterpillar Lab
10:00 - 2:00 PM
Visitor Center
Join The Caterpillar Lab in a free-exploration program and experience the incredible world of New England caterpillars! This drop-in exhibit will feature a variety of local caterpillar species, and there will be plenty to see and touch! Educators from The Caterpillar Lab will teach you all about metamorphosis and tell incredible but true stories about the creatures' strange and surprising adaptations.
Our Scrumptious Lake PHYTOTASTIC! Puppet Show
12:00 noon
Visitor Center
Join Sandy Murphy as she puts on her puppet show about how nitrogen and phosphorus pollution come together to form algae blooms and affect the life of the lake. Her show brings her graphic novel, Our Scrumptious Lake PHYTOTASTIC! to life. Suitable for children and adults.
Trail Cams
11:00 PM
Visitor Center
Back by popular demand is professor and author, Declan McCabe, for this presentation on Trail Cams. His photo presentation will cover how best to deploy trail cameras along with many personal trail cam captures of deer, coyotes, opossums, and bobcats all showing very interesting animal behaviors.