BioDiversity Research Institute

Adirondack Center For Loon Conservation

Information about adirondack Park

New York State's six-million acre Adirondack Park is a globally recognized United Nations Biosphere Reserve. A mosaic of public and private lands and waterways, itis one of the largest relatively intact forested landscapes in the northeastern United States. With hundreds and hundreds of developed and undeveloped lakes and ponds, the Park provides a wide variety of breeding sites for Common Loons, which are found throughout the Adirondacks during the summer months.

OVERVIEW

BioDiversity Research Institute’s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is dedicated to improving the overall health of the environment, particularly the protection of air and water quality, through collaborative research and education efforts focusing on the natural history of the Common Loon (Gavia immer) and conservation issues affecting loon populations and their aquatic habitats.

BRI’s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation evolved from a contaminant research project conducted by the Northeast Loon Study Workgroup throughout North America. In New York, blood and feather samples were collected from loons in the Adirondack Park during a three-year period from 1998-2000. In 2001, BRI partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and the Audubon Society of New York State, Inc. to initiate the former Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program to further expand upon this work. In 2007, the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program was integrated into the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Adirondack Program, and was then known as WCS’ Adirondack Loon Conservation Program. In 2009, the administration of the Loon Program changed to BioDiversity Research Institute, to better coordinate with BRI’s International Center for Loon Conservation and regional loon-mercury research in the Northeast. With this change, the name was also changed to reflect BRI’s new role, and the increased coordination with the International Center for Loon Conservation.

BRI’s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation conducts research to determine the status and trends in the Adirondack breeding loon population, the impact of mercury contamination on this population’s reproductive success, and to identify the migratory patterns and wintering areas of Adirondack loons. This work is coordinated with similar research throughout northeastern North America to determine the effect of mercury contamination on the breeding loon population throughout the region.

BRI’s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation also seeks to minimize anthropogenic impacts on loon populations and other wildlife through a variety of public education projects, including presentations, newsletters, innovative student curricula, a website – www.briloon.org/science-and-conservation/centers/adirondackloons.php, and a lead sinker exchange project. Adirondack Park residents and visitors are encouraged to learn firsthand about conservation of loons and their environment through participation in the Loon Program’s research and monitoring projects.

BRI’s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation merges the worlds of field research, public participation, outreach, and education. The results of our research efforts are used by wildlife managers and other decision-makers, as well as the public, to ensure that Common Loons remain an integral and vital part of New York’s wildlife heritage, and that their haunting calls continue to echo across Adirondack lakes for generations to come.

BioDiversity Research Insitute is most grateful to its former collaborators for their support of the our loon research and conservation efforts in the Adirondacks, including:

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Adirondack Program, www.wcs.org/adirondacks

The Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks - The W!ld Center, www.wildcenter.org

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, www.dec.ny.gov

Audubon Society of New York State, www.auduboninternational.org/programs/asny

LOON EDUCATION

Loons and People: Guidelines for “Nesting” Together on Adirondack Lakes

The publication, Loons and People: Guidelines for “Nesting” Together on Adirondack Lakes, is a valuable educational and management resource to help protect Common Loons and enhance their breeding habitat in Northern New York and throughout their summer range.

Lakeshore development and boating recreational activities have increased substantially on lakes in the Northeast and in New York’s Adirondack Park over recent decades, leading to a higher frequency of disturbance of breeding loons by humans. These guidelines provide an informed basis for sustainable development and human stewardship of lakeshores, while strengthening the coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to the conservation of this iconic species. The publication also enhances understanding of the nesting habitat requirements and territorial breeding behavior of Common Loons, to aid people in minimizing disturbance of these unique birds.

Loons and People: Guidelines for “Nesting” Together on Adirondack Lakes was developed by Amanda Marino, an intern with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Adirondack Program in partnership with Biodiversity Research Institute’s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. Ms. Marino, a graduate of Virginia Tech, collaborated with many partners on this project, including the Adirondack Park Agency. Ms. Marino’s work was supported through a grant from Wild Gift, whose mission is to provide exceptional leaders a compelling experience in deep wilderness, and the support to launch a self-designed project that promotes the stewardship of wild nature and development of sustainable communities.

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Loons and People: Guidelines for “Nesting” Together on Adirondack Lakes

Full guideline publication

Brochure

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