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.
Posts Tagged ‘Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’
ACLC receives support from Adirondack 46ers for summer intern
Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack 46ers are supporting an Education-Outreach College Intern this summer for the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. From June through August, this
intern will provide a series of educational presentations at day and sleep-away summer camps across the Adirondack Park. The intern will inspire passion for loon conservation and promote environmental stewardship amongst the participating campers. Under the guidance of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s staff, the intern will conduct interactive presentations, storytelling, and art-based projects to engage campers in learning about loon ecology and conservation.
ACLC Staff and Volunteers Rescue Iced-In Loon on First Lake in Town of Webb
Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) staff and volunteers joined together for the rescue effort on December 15
By Jennifer Denny, ACLC Communications Coordinator
On Wednesday, December 14 the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation received a report of an iced-in Common Loon on First Lake in the Town of Webb. Overnight the water froze further and the ice surrounding the loon thickened. While these changes might seem bad for the loon, the cold night made conditions safe for a rescue effort.
On Thursday, December 15, volunteers and staff from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation went to rescue the loon early in the morning. The group included Cody Sears, Jay Locke, Gary Lee, Don Andrews, and Kurt Gardner.
A look back at this summer’s Maintain the Chain clean-up event
What started as a wholesome family tradition of cleaning up the area around their Fourth Lake camp has transpired into a widespread clean up event dubbed Maintain the Chain (MTC) that focuses efforts on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. In its inaugural year as a formal event in 2021, Maintain the Chain garnered support from the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association (FCLA), towns of Webb and Inlet, and the Sixth and Seventh Lakes Improvement Association, and partnered with the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI). The momentum continued for the 2022 event this past summer, Aug. 5-14, dates which coincided with Adirondack Water Week and the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
Leaf-peeping, fringed gentians, and lobster dinners
The leaves are changing, and may peak this week if they aren’t all put on the ground with the wind and rain. I watched from my window as many leaves fell on the pond most of the day today, September 25. That was better than the snow that fell on Friday morning [September 23]. Some say that Blue Mountain wasn’t blue, but white on top, that morning as were several of the High Peaks. About this time of year, Karen and I go on a leaf-peeping trip through Vermont and New Hampshire into Maine to get a lobster dinner.
Adirondack Loon Celebration set for Oct. 9 at Paul Smith’s VIC
Saranac Lake, NY– The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation invites one and all to celebrate Common Loons, one of the most fascinating Adirondack icons, at the Paul Smith’s College VIC (8023 NYS Rte. 30) from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. This free, fun-filled day will feature activities for the whole family, including:
1-4:30 pm: Meet the Adirondack Loon Center staff, enjoy delicious food by Adirondack BBQ ($), a silent auction featuring beautiful loon-related items, a scavenger hunt, and children’s crafts.
1:00 pm: Poetry Reading and Book Signing by Yvona Fast, author of Loon Summer
1:15 pm: Loon Calling Contest
2:00 pm: Presentation by Jennifer Denny: A Year in the Life of a Loon
2:30-3:30 pm: Presentation by Dr. Jay Mager: A Light Lesson in Loon Music
3:30-4:30 pm: Music by Sara Milonovich and Greg Anderson
4:30 pm: Hornbeck Canoe raffle drawing
Time has come for the protection of Monarch Butterflies
Another year has passed for me, and only one more for the “Big 80,” but things are looking good on this end. For others on this side of the globe, things aren’t looking so good this morning [Sept. 20]. Hurricane Fiona has clobbered Puerto Rico with over thirty inches of rain and strong winds that have again devastated their power grid five years to the day when they were hit by Hurricane Maria. They had just about recovered from that one and everything got laid flat again. The hurricane heading north hit the Dominican Republic and will end up in the Canada Maritimes. This will also push high tides all along the east coast while going north.
ACLC invites anglers to exchange lead fishing tackle to protect wildlife
Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation invites New York anglers to exchange their lead fishing tackle for $10 worth of non-toxic tackle through its Lead Tackle Buy-Back Program. Anglers can trade in their lead sinkers and jigs this summer and fall by bringing them to any of the eleven participating retailers around the Adirondack Park, including:
Banding and testing loons for pollutants with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
It took a whole week with temperatures in the high eighties before the thunderstorms made it here. The storms dumped almost two inches of rain at Eight Acre Wood overnight, so again I don’t have to water the garden. I did have to water my tomato trees that are in pots almost everyday during that hot time. I’ve picked a few cherry tomatoes which are a tasty bite. The larger tomatoes are growing daily after I pruned off the leaves that had no flowers on them, and now I can even see tomatoes growing.
Most of my loons have hatched their young, but I still have one sitting on eggs. The male was glued to the nest yesterday while the female was at a neighboring lake fishing. If the eggs are going to hatch it should happen this week. Sometimes the eggs get chilled in high water and the eggs are not going to hatch. However, the adults sit on them sometimes for over forty days before giving up. Locally, most of the nests have been successful this year, and there are chicks on many of the local lakes. If you come upon them in your travels, give them some space. Don’t force them out into open water when they are hugging the shoreline fishing and keeping out of boat traffic.
New York Annual Loon Census, Loon Center Open House on July 16
Saranac Lake, NY – Attention loon watchers! The New York Annual Loon Census is a great opportunity for Adirondack residents and visitors to participate in the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s ongoing research on Common Loons.
Census observers are needed for the 22nd Annual NY Loon Census on Saturday, July 16 from 8 to 9 a.m. to help determine the abundance of loons in New York during the 2022 breeding season. To participate, please sign up for a lake in advance at www.adkloon.org/ny-loon-census to help minimize duplicate observations.
“Hundreds of observers contribute annually to this valuable citizen-science study,” said Dr. Nina Schoch, Executive Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. “The results from their observations enable us to monitor the status and trends in New York’s loon population over time. We are also excited to welcome visitors to the Adirondack Loon Center this summer to learn about our many new projects to protect loons and our upcoming educational exhibits.”
Traveling to Webster for Grandson Nathan’s graduation ceremony
The longest day of the year passed on Tuesday, June 21 in the pouring rain, so who could tell? I missed the strawberry moon last week in the clouds, and when I did catch it in the middle of the night it was so low in the sky that it hid behind the trees even when on the second story. In the early morning before daylight, five planets are still aligned in the eastern sky, which won’t happen again for several more years.
The best place to catch this is on a lakeshore with a good view of the SE sky. The moon is at its smallest, so that shouldn’t interfere with your view. However, you must get out before the sun lightens the sky. Since I’ve been doing Boreal bird surveys starting at about daylight, I should get a few looks at these planets while traveling to these sites.
Some Loon chicks hatched this week in many places across the Adirondacks. Many more should hatch just before the Fourth of July, so be aware of them while you are out and about on the area lakes where we do have chicks already. Many will still be nesting, as they lost their first nest and have re-nested.
Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation to host children’s programs this summer
Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation invites children ages 3-5 and their families to participate in Sunday afternoon programs to learn about loons through hands-on activities, games, crafts, and stories.
These programs will be held from 2:00–2:30 p.m. each Sunday through August 14 at the Adirondack Loon Center, located at 75 Main Street in Saranac Lake, NY.Topics include:July 3 – How the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Helps LoonsJuly 10 – What Loons EatJuly 17 – Loon NestingJuly 24 – How Loons Swim and FlyJuly 31 – Loon Calls and BehaviorsAugust 14 – Threats to Loons and How We Can HelpThe summer children’s programs are offered for free, thanks to support from the Stewart’s Foundation.Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, as each presentation will be limited to 12 children.To pre-register, email education@adkloon.org or call (518) 354-8636.
Five Loons Rescued on Lake Champlain
By Eric Teed
Our crew has a lunch policy. “Not a rule mind you, just a policy” put forward years ago by John Rosenthal. Lunch may not be taken before noon, seating should be comfortable, in the sun, and out of the wind. Given we had been skating for hours on incredible black ice, we were euphoric and ravenous. The speck of dirt called Diamond Island in Lake Champlain’s Narrows would have to do. Then, I saw the loons. I almost missed lunch, and the next day would be one I will always remember.
Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, Adirondack Land Trust, Eagle Island, Inc. welcome new hires
Three Adirondack-area nonprofit organizations including The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, Adirondack Land Trust, and Eagle Island, Inc. welcomed new staff members during the month of February.
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation expands their team:
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is pleased to welcome two new members to its staff – Susan Harry as its Philanthropy Director, and Jay Locke as its Finance and Operations Director. Since becoming a nonprofit organization in 2017, the Adirondack Loon Center has experienced steady growth and expanded its loon conservation and educational programs across the Park.
“We are very excited to have Susan and Jay join our team, as they greatly increase our capacity to do more for Adirondack loons,” said Dr. Nina Schoch, Executive Director of the Center. “They bring a wide depth of experience and knowledge that will significantly enhance our loon research and conservation projects in the Adirondacks.”
Susan has worked professionally and as a volunteer for many wildlife conservation organizations. She is passionate about protecting the environment for future generations to enjoy. Susan raised awareness and support for the Kenyan Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s conservation efforts to protect the African Black Rhino, which led to Susan receiving the 2010 Anna Merz Honorary Award.
Her wide experience in fundraising and grant management will greatly expand the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s capacity for sustaining its Adirondack loon conservation and research programs. When Susan is not with loons on the water, she enjoys exploring the Adirondacks by hiking with her golden retrievers, cross-country skiing, and snow-shoeing.
Jay brings a broad background in data management, grant administration, and fundraising to the Loon Center. He previously worked with the Open Society Foundations in NYC, where he provided funding and technical advice on impact evaluation and data management to not-for-profit organizations across the world. Prior to OSF, he supported data analysis projects for the United Nations Development Program in Eswatini, served in the Peace Corps in Kenya as a community economic development advisor, and worked in internal audit for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta. Jay is a licensed CPA and wildlife rehabilitator, and enjoys birdwatching, identifying lichens, and playing guitar.
Jay and Susan are excited to apply their professional expertise and passion for wildlife conservation in their new roles at 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 promote and inspire passion for the conservation of Common Loons in and beyond New York’s Adirondack Park. 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.
Congratulations to son, Jason, two-time World Grand Champion in Kuk Sool
The beautiful Hunter’s full moon is bright outside my window tonight [October 9] after a day of wind and rain showers that took lots of leaves off the trees. There was still lots of color in the sunny patches as I drove home from The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation annual celebration at the Paul Smith’s VIC. Events were held indoors, as it was pouring outside most of the day. Coming home, I hit showers and then sunny patches along the way. I saw lots of shutter bugs out taking advantage of the sunny spots.
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