Home / Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute / LoonWatch

The LoonWatch Program

Imagine a northern lake without the haunting calls and awe-inspiring presence of the Common Loon. It's a disturbing thought, but in some places, it's happening. Air and water pollution, loss of habitat, and increasing recreational activities on lakes all pose serious threats to loons across North America, and in some cases are responsible for loons and loon music disappearing from traditional nesting lakes.

LoonWatch, a program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, protects common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring, and research. Though our primary focus is Wisconsin, our education and research activities extend to Upper Great Lakes region, such as Michigan and Minnesota. We also lend support to North American conservation efforts by working with loon conservation organizations across the United States and Canada.

LoonWatch, its Advisory Council, and volunteers are all working toward common goals of loon conservation and protection.  For more information about the program, contact the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, (715) 682-1220, or email loonwatch@northland.edu.

"Above came a soft whisper of wings, and as the loons saw us they called wildly in alarm and took the laughing with them into the gathering dusk. The shores echoed and re-echoed until they seemed to throb with the music. This was the symbol of the lake country, the sound that more than any other typifies the rocks, waters and forests of the wilderness."
 - Sigurd F. Olson, Listening Point

 

Tremolo Joe Medium Roast, Wailing Joe Decaf, and Yodeling Joe Dark Roast coffee has been roasted by Backroads Coffee and Tea in Hayward, WI to support LoonWatch. The Tremelo is the alert call given by loons. Each bag of this organic, shade-grown coffee sold supports LoonWatch's mission to protect loons through education monitoring and research. 100% Arabica Coffee and Certified Fair Trade. $9.95 Check it out on our Merchandise Page.

Learn more about Backroad's Coffee and Tea at www.backroadscoffee.com

Ways to Support LoonWatch

Supporting LoonWatch can include donating your photography, volunteering to be a citizen scientist for research projects, or giving a cash donation that ensure LoonWatch will be here to help loons thrive in the Northwoods. For more information, please contact Erica LeMoine at (715) 682-1220 or email at loonwatch@northland.edu.