RSS

LoonWatch offers training opportunities for loon monitoring

April 20, 2012

Sigurd F. Olson once dubbed loon calls "the symbol of the lake country." In the coming weeks, birding enthusiasts will take to Wisconsin's northern lakes to observe the behavior and habitats of the iconic waterfowl. LoonWatch, a program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI) at Northland College, will sponsor a series of loon monitoring trainings in April, May and June.

The trainings will feature classroom presentations on loon behavior, ecology and habitat. In addition, participants will receive step-by-step instruction on how to record data for LoonWatch's Annual Lakes Loon Monitoring Program.

Individuals interested in participating in LoonWatch's volunteer loon monitoring program are encouraged to attend one of three upcoming loon monitoring training opportunities to be held in northern Wisconsin. Registration is required as there are a limited number of spots available.

· Saturday, April 28 - Woodruff, Wis. - LoonWatch and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource's Northwoods Loon Protection Program (NLPP) will offer a training session from noon to 4 p.m. at the UW Kemp Natural Resources Station. Registration ends April 25.

· Saturday, May 5 - Ashland, Wis. - LoonWatch will host a training opportunity from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. Registration ends May 1.

· Saturday, June 2 - Hayward, Wis. - LoonWatch will host a training opportunity from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library. Registration ends May 30.

Please register for these events by calling LoonWatch Program Coordinator Erica LeMoine at (715) 682-1220 or register online at www.northland.edu/loonwatch.

Established in 1978, LoonWatch protects common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring and research. LoonWatch plays a critical role in raising citizen awareness about loons, and in helping people make the connection between how they use lakes and the ability of loons to flourish on those lakes. LoonWatch's population surveys and monitoring work is primarily in Wisconsin, but education and research activities extend across North America.