Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is thrilled to welcome a new mascot at the Adirondack Loon Center at 75 Main Street in Saranac Lake. A very unique sculpture of a loon turning its eggs was created for the Loon Center by North Country School students and their art teacher, Larry Robjent of Robjent Sculptures. This spectacular bird is made of 100-percent recycled metal (with red golf ball eyes), including scrap construction materials and retired maple sap can lids. Before the students painted her, she was powder-coated by Saranac Lake’s own Matt Woodruff.

Larry Robjent and his students have also created other sculptures in Saranac Lake, including Tessie, the lawn serpent, on Woodruff Street, and the Bug Crawl – a series of insects crawling on various buildings around the Village. Larry and his students are grateful to the Adirondack Loon Center for the opportunity to do a fun sculpture.

“It’s awesome having the kids connect with local businesses and endeavors, and to be able to create a lasting additive feature to a great organization,” said Larry Robjent. “It was a wonderful project to work on, and the kids had a blast working through the design challenges.”

A North Country School student works on the new mascot sculpture. Photo provided by Dr. Nina Schoch, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Executive Director.

The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s new mascot, a loon sculpture. Photo provided by Dr. Nina Schoch, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Executive Director.

North Country School students help deliver the new mascot to the Adirondack Loon Center in Saranac Lake, NY. Photo provided by Dr. Nina Schoch, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Executive Director.

North Country School art teacher, Larry Robjent, and his students, River, Adela, Marley, Dexter, Jack, and Emma, help set up the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s new mascot. Photo provided by Dr. Nina Schoch, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Executive Director.

Mascot Naming Contest:

The Loon Center is holding a contest to name their new mascot. Visit www.adkloon.org for more details and to vote for “Claire de Loon, Luna the Loon, or Looney.” Write-in names will also be accepted. Everyone who enters and votes for the winning name will receive an Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation sticker. The contest runs through May 20.

“We’re thrilled to have this amazing bird welcome our visitors to the Loon Center,” said Dr. Nina Schoch, Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. “We’re looking forward to sharing the story of this wonderful addition to Saranac Lake to inspire people to learn more about loons and the lakes where they live.”

About the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation:

The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is a 501(c)3 non-profit that conducts scientific research and engaging educational programming to inspire passion for and promote the conservation of Adirondack loons, a sentinel of the environment. To learn more about the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, visit www.adkloon.org or www.facebook.com/adkloon, or contact the Center at info@adkloon.org or (518) 354-8636. The Adirondack Loon Center at 75 Main Street in Saranac Lake is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

About North Country School & Camp Treetops:

North Country School and Camp Treetops sit on a 220-acre campus amongst majestic mountain peaks in New York State’s Adirondack Park. Since 1921 and 1938 respectively, they have been nationally renowned for pioneering educational programs rooted in progressive practices and experiential learning. Both Camp and School guide children to engage the natural world, take on intellectual and physical challenges in a nurturing community, and cultivate independence and creativity. For more information, visit northcountryschool.org and camptreetops org.

Photo at top: North Country School art teacher, Larry Robjent, and his students created this loon sculpture and brought her to the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake. Photo provided by Dr. Nina Schoch, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Executive Director.