Michigan LoonWatch (MLW) is a
management, protection, and registry program of the Michigan Loon Preservation
Association (MLPA). LoonWatch was initiated as the Loon Registry in 1986 by The
Nature Conservancy and the MDNR Nongame Wildlife Fund. In 1990, the name was
changed to Michigan LoonWatch, to reflect its growing emphasis on protection and
management and also to match the Wisconsin/Minnesota LoonWatch program. It is
administered by the LoonWatch Committee of MLPA. Area coordinators recruit,
train, advise, and assist their volunteer Loon Rangers in three areas of the
Upper Peninsula and four areas of the Lower Peninsula. The Statewide Coordinator
selects and supervises the area coordinators.
Who are the LoonWatch Volunteers?
Michigan LoonWatch is a family of volunteers concerned about the protection
of common loons and their lakes. Volunteer Loon Rangers are responsible for
watching and protecting loons. Statewide and area coordinators are also
primarily volunteers. Several MDNR and Forest Service biologists volunteer much
time and energy advising LoonWatch volunteers. The MLPA Board and members are
also volunteers.
Loon advocates can support these activities by joining and contributing to
the MLPA, volunteering for its activities, or participating in Michigan
LoonWatch as Loon Rangers or area coordinators. Interested individuals can
volunteer for funding search, membership services, merchandise sales, public
education, and publicity activities, as a Loon Ranger, or for preparation of
materials for Loon Rangers.
Who Are the Loon Rangers?
Over 300 volunteer Loon Rangers protect and monitor loons and their habitat
on specific lakes in Michigan. They have been recruited from people living on,
summering at, or regularly visiting lakes reported as nesting lakes for loons.
They observe loon activities on their lakes from early spring to late summer and
then fill out report forms summarizing the numbers of pairs, nests, chicks
hatched, and chicks mature enough to fly. They also map loon nesting habitat for
use in review of proposed lakeshore projects and management of water levels.
Rangers act to protect loons and loon nesting areas, educate other lake
residents and visitors about the need to leave the loons alone, and contact
coordinators and MDNR biologists for help with problems they are unable to
handle. Many Loon Rangers have reported on and protected Michigan loons since
1986, while other have just started. More Loon Rangers will be recruited for new
lakes or to replace retiring Loon Rangers.
For More Information about Michigan LoonWatch...
Please contact:
Joanne Williams
Michigan LoonWatch Coordinator
P.O. Box 294
Shepherd, MI 48883
e-mail: nanaloon@hotmail.com
Printer Friendly
Text Version 
Email Page
