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LoonWatch accepting proposals for 2012 Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award

November 16, 2011

LoonWatch, a program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, is accepting proposals for the 2012 Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award. The award is named for biologist Sigurd T. Olson. Olson co-authored the 1952 paper "The Common Loon in Minnesota" with William H. Marshall. The document is considered a leading study on the species.

Since 1986, the loon research award has provided funding for original research that leads to better understanding and management of loon populations.

"LoonWatch will accept proposals for research conducted in North America on any loon. Research on behavior, breeding ecology, migration, winter ecology, toxicology and evolution will be considered," says Erica LeMoine, LoonWatch Program Coordinator. "Special consideration will be given to proposals that address human impacts on loons, such as the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."

The maximum grant awarded is $3,000. The award will be designated for research to be conducted during 2012. The North American Loon Research Endowment funds a portion of the award. The proposal deadline is Dec. 9, 2011. The award winner will be notified by Jan. 31, 2012. More than $35,000 has been awarded to past winners.

Those seeking more information about the award may visit the Northland College website. People may also request proposal guidelines by contacting LoonWatch via phone at (715) 682-1220 or e-mail at loonwatch@northland.edu. LoonWatch has coordinated volunteers to monitor loon activity and reproductive success for 33 years. The program is one of many housed at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute on the Northland College campus.