Now in its seventh season Vermont Fish and Wildlife is once again offering a virtual program for classes from kindergarten through eighth grade designed to get kids outside with their teacher, while also learning about Vermont's local wildlife.
Scat and Tracks is a 4-week program that gives educators plans and support to lead nature hikes on school or nearby grounds. Each week highlights a different Vermont species paying particular attention to their individual habitat needs and signs they leave behind such as tracks and scat. This year the program will be highlighting moose, long tailed weasel, red fox, and eastern cottontail.
Classes participate by first watching a pre-recorded video that highlights the species of the week. After the video the classroom teacher then leads the students on a nature hike to search for signs of the species discussed while also emphasizing the particular habitat needs of the species. Questions about the species are answered during optional virtual Q&A sessions on Thursdays at 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. conducted by a Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist.
More than 3,300 Vermont students participated in the program in 2026. The virtual aspect allows for a wide range of flexibility by Vermont teachers to incorporate the program into their current lessons. Teachers can structure the walks based on their schedule and grade level and add additional content at their discretion. In 2027 the program will begin the week of January 3.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife understands that many educators have questions about leading a nature hike of their own. Staff are available to answer questions directly and have created additional instructional videos to assist educators.
Registration is required by December 15, 2026 and can be completed at the Scat and Tracks webpage on Vermont Fish and Wildlife's website.
All registered classes will receive a welcome letter and additional information via email. Pocket track guides will not be mailed in 2027. Educators may pick up pocket guides at the Montpelier Fish & Wildlife Office located at 1 National Life Drive, Dewey Building, Montpelier, VT. A digital copy of the track guide can be printed directly from the Scat and Tracks webpage. All other questions can be directed to Education Specialist Corey Hart by emailing him at corey.hart@vermont.gov, or calling him at 802-505-5562.