Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) has recently announced a winter series of “Loon Zooms” that will take place monthly through April. The online presentations will feature a new topic and new speaker each month, giving guests a wide range of information about these unique and intriguing animals. Those interested are encouraged to save the dates listed below and register early, as space is limited. The Loon Zooms are offered free of charge to ACLC donors (using a coupon code provided on the ACLC website), and are $10 each session for others. The zoom link will be provided after registration is complete.

A different presentation will be offered monthly at 7 p.m. EST:

Dec. 14, 2023: Conservation Through the Lives of Adirondack Loons, Dr. Nina Schoch

Dr. Nina Schoch, Executive Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation website photo.

On Thursday, December 14, at 7 p.m. (EST), Dr. Nina Schoch, Executive Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, will visit with you for an evening discussion about loon ecology and conservation.

Feel free to ask questions as the Loon Center staff take you on an engaging exploration of loon behavior and natural history, as well as the research and conservation efforts of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.

Register for this event here.

Jan 11, 2024: 25 Years of Loon Conservation, Lucas Savoy of Biodiversity Research Institute

Lucas Savoy of the Biodiversity Research Institute. Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation website photo.

On Thursday, January 11, at 7 p.m. (EST), join Lucas Savoy of the Biodiversity Research Institute as he discusses loon conservation and research. Lucas is a wildlife biologist with a Maine-based conservation organization, Biodiversity Research Institute, and has been involved with collaborative loon projects throughout North America and beyond for the past 25 years. Lucas was drawn to loons as a young boy, sharing the lakes with loons in northern Maine on annual family fishing trips. In his professional career, he has studied loons for over two decades and these birds have guided Lucas throughout the boreal forest regions of the United States, Canada and as far as arctic Russia.

Many summers of sleepless nights and countless hours on the water have contributed to many loon projects focused on assessing emerging threats to loons, such as environmental contamination, disease, oil spills, and climate change. Other studies utilize technology and field data to map the migration routes of loons from their breeding lakes to their oceanic wintering areas. Decades of loon field studies across North America has enabled us to learn a great deal about loon natural history and how to focus project efforts and goals for loon conservation.

Register for this event here.

Feb. 8, 2024: There and Back Again: A Loon’s Tale, Natasha Bartolotta of the National Loon Center in Minnesota

Natasha Bartolotta from the National Loon Center in Minnesota. Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation website photo.

On Thursday, February 8, at 7 p.m. (EST), join Natasha Bartolotta from the National Loon Center in Minnesota to learn about threats to Loons in the Mississippi Flyway. Natasha Bartolotta is the Stewardship & Outreach Manager at the National Loon Center in Crosslake, Minnesota. Through her role, she engages the public in loon and freshwater conservation, research, and education. The NLC was formed as a non-profit in 2017 and will open an educational facility in 2025. Natasha is originally from the Northeast and graduated from Cornell University with her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has experience as a field researcher and conservation educator.

Register for this event here. 

Mar 21, 2024: Loons of Alaska, Tamara Zeller of the US Fish and Wildlife Service

Tamara Zeller. Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation website photo.

On Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. (EST), join Tamara Zeller and learn about genetics and contaminants affecting loons in Alaska. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, her love of adventure and travel brought her to Alaska in 1996, where she helped with research on seabirds and decided to make Alaska home. She holds a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Alaska Anchorage where she studied the effects of human disturbance on loon and grebe productivity. It was during this research where she developed an appreciation for working with people for the benefit of wildlife and these experiences molded her for her current role as an outreach biologist. She currently splits her time between outreach and education, observing seabirds and waterfowl for various monitoring projects, and serving as the point person for loons and grebes.

Register for this event here.

Apr.11, 2024: Adirondack Loon Research and Conservation, Griffin Archambault

Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s Research Biologist, Griffin Archambault. Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation website photo.

On Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. (EST), join our Research Biologist, Griffin Archambault, for an update on our research and upcoming summer projects.

Register for this event here.

For more information about the ACLC’s Loon Zooms, click here.

Photo at top provided by the ACLC.