Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

Contact InformationErica LeMoine
LoonWatch Program
1411 Ellis Avenue
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 682-1220
Email

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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

Event Calendar
April 2013
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'Wilderness Expeditions - Trip Reports from around North America - SOEI 40th Anniversary Event
Apr 5, 2013
8:00 - 4:30 pm @ Alvord Theathre - Ponzio Campus Center

'Wilderness Expeditions - Trip Reports from around North America - SOEI 40th Anniversary Event

Apr 5, 2013

Location Information
8:00 - 4:30 pm @ Alvord Theathre - Ponzio Campus Center

An all day Event consisting of speakers who share their Adventures from around North America

8-8:50 a.m. - "Pam's Journey to the Arctic Ocean and Beyond" by John Olson- John has been an active lifetime paddler and wildlife biologist for 37 years with the WI DNR .

9-9:50 a.m. - "One Man, One Canoe, Two Countries" by Dave R. Doering- Dave is an independent film maker, owner of "Sun Ridge Moving Pictures" and Bayfield Public School Teacher.

10-10:50 a.m. - "Baffin Island 2007: Exploring The Frontlines of Climate Change" by Elizabeth K. Andre- Elizabeth is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Education and Outdoor Education at Northland College.

11-11:50 a.m. - "Ideas of the North" by Conor Mihell- Conor is an editor-at-large with Canoe and Kayak magazine and an award-winning environmental and adventure travel journalist based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

12-12:50 p.m. - Lunch on your own

1-1:50 p.m. - "Traversing the Brooks Range by Canoe: Haul Road to the Chukchi Sea" by Geoffrey Smith-Geoffrey is an Aquatic Ecologist for Voyageurs National Park and has worked for the National Park Service for over 30 years.

2-2:50 p.m. - "Pikes Portage: East onto the Barrens from Great Slave Lake with lessons from Sigurd Olson" by Bob Henderson- Bob is the author of Every Trail has a Story: Heritage Travel in Canada and the long time editor of Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education. He has taught outdoor education at McMaster University and now Brock University for over 30 years.

3-3:25 p.m. - "The Voyageur's Highway: A Journey in Five Parts" by Ted Gostomski. Ted is a biologist, writer and hivernant whose internal compass points North.

3:30-3:55 p.m. - "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: America's Last Wilderness" by Laurel Ipsen. Laurel is a freshman at Northland College studying Outdoor Education. She hails from Duluth, MN.

4-4:25 p.m. - "Life is Better There" by Will "John Wayne" Krift. Will grew up hiking trails north of The Smoky Mountains National Park and is a student at Northland College. He spent 4 months last summer hiking the Appalachian Trail.

All events have been coordinated and supported by the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute and the A.D. & Mary Elizabeth Andersen Hulings Distinguished Chair in the Humanities.

Contact Information

Jean Ayers
SOEI
715-682-1264
jayers@northland.edu

Photo Gallery

Wing Flap

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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.