Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival

Presented by Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and Great River Hydro

The mission of the Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival is to provide a family-oriented outdoor educational event featuring nature-based programs, activities, walks, and hands-on experiences for all members of our community in an inclusive atmosphere and a natural setting.

The next festival will be May 4, 2025.

The festival planning committee is hard at work to bring together exhibits, programs, activities, vendors, volunteers and sponsors for the upcoming festival.

Who’s agreed to come to the 2025 festival?

Mike Clough of the VT Natural History Museum - Live Animals

Wunderle’s Big Top Adventures

T-shirt painting and pollinator program with Jerry Schneider

Turtle Walk with Jim Andrews

Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals

Squam Lake Natural Science Center - Live Animals

Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences - Raptors Up Close

Nature Museum of Grafton, VT

Black River Action Team

Rich Earth Institute

Atowi Project

Audubon Vermont

Bonnyvale Environmental Ed Ctr

VT River Conservancy

Vermont Entomological Society

Upper Valley Land Trust

Black River Action Team

Hawk Migration Association of North America

Plus Craft and Food Vendors

Suggested donation at entrance or on-line: $2 per person or $5 per family.

Become a Sponsor for the 2025 Festival

This page will be updated between now and the festival. In the meantime, information on the 2024 festival and previous festivals is below:

The Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival committee received the following kind words that capture this very special annual event:

In the quaint town of Rockingham, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Vermont, lies Herrick's Cove, a wildlife refuge teeming with biodiversity. Every year, as spring blooms into its full glory, a dedicated team of individuals comes together to organize the Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival, a celebration of nature, education, and conservation.

At the heart of the festival is a group of passionate volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts, each with their own unique story and connection to the land. Tireless efforts in organizing educational workshops and guided nature walks inspire visitors to appreciate and protect the delicate ecosystem.

Of course, no wildlife festival would be complete without food. Locally-sourced ingredients to create delicious meals that showcase the region's culinary bounty. A variety of cuisines kick off the season at this event, a story of community.

Behind the scenes, there's a dedicated team of organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the festival runs smoothly. From setting up tents and booths to coordinating guest speakers and entertainment, their collective efforts bring the event to life year after year.

As the 22nd occurrence of the Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival fades to memory, visitors from near and far reminisce the beauty of nature, leaving behind memories of laughter, learning, and newfound appreciation for the natural world, the team begins to plan for the next chapter in Herrick's Cove's storied history.

Matthew Cole, Community Relations/Public Information Officer, Great River Hydro, LLC

The 2024 Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival was made possible by generous donations from our sponsors. We thank the following donors:

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2024 Schedule

7:00 am – Bird Walk with Don Clark and Ken Cox

9:30 am – Gates to festival venue open

10:00 - Festival Exhibits and Programs Begin

10:00 am – Butterfly Program by Jerry Schneider (Tent 1)

10:30 am – Turtle Walk with Jim Andrews

10:30 am - Scavenger Hunt & Walk: Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasives with the CISMA and VT Department of Environmental Conservation

11:00 am – Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences Program-Animals in Myth and Legend (Tent 2)

11:00 - Audubon Vermont Bird Walk for Kids

11:30 am – Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals (Tent 1)

11:30 am – Bug Walk with Michael Sabourin of the Vermont Entomological Society

11:30 am – Canine Search and Rescue Demonstration by Vermont Fish & Wildlife

12:30 - VT Fish and Wildlife and Audubon VT Program - Habitats: Messy is Best for Birds and Fish (Tent 2)

1:00 pm – Mike Clough of the Southern VT Natural History Museum - Live Animals Up Close (Tent 1)

1:00 pm – Audubon Vermont - Bird Walk for Beginners

1:30 pm – Canine Search and Rescue Demonstration by Vermont Fish & Wildlife

2:00 pm – Bats Program by Jerry Schneider (Tent 2)

2:00 pm – Squam Lake Natural Science Center Program- Why Do Animals Do That? (Tent 1)

2:00 pm – Bug Walk with Michael Sabourin

2:30 pm – Turtle Walk with Jim Andrews

2:30 pm - Invasive Plant Pull with the CISMA and VT Department of Environmental Conservation (prizes for the biggest pull!)

3:00 pm – Plant Walk with Lynn Levine - All About Trees

4:00 Exhibits Close and Festival Ends

NOTE: Early morning bird walk starts near the boat landing. Other walks start at the cardinal sign. The canine demonstration will be at the south end of the festival grounds (past the food vendors).