Northwoods Loon Protection Program


Loons are increasingly threatened by development in the northwoods. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Northwoods Loon Protection Program is a partnership between scientists and volunteers who help monitor and collect vital loon reproduction data. We collate volunteer and staff data to help determine the health and long-term productivity of the Wisconsin loon population.

The Loon Citizen Science Project was created in 2007 in an effort to give anyone who lives on or regularly visits a Wisconsin lake the chance to get involved with the monitoring of their local loon population. Citizen scientists learn how to read the color-coded leg bands on the loon and monitor loon productivity during their breeding period. They will also learn about loon physiology, migration, behaviors, vocalizations, range, identification bands, nesting, productions, parenting, chick rearing, habitat, and protection measures. They will gain information to share with others to help protect the loon population in one of the last regions in the U.S. where loons migrate seasonally to raise their young.

This Northwoods Loon Protection Program is coordinated with LoonWatch who sponsors the Loon Ranger citizen monitoring project. LoonWatch has a statewide monitoring effort, the Northwoods Loon Protection Program has focused an intense data collection effort in the Northern Highlands/Headwaters region.

For more information about Northwoods Loon Protection Program contact:

Michael W. Meyer Ph.D.
Wildlife and Forestry Research
Bureau of Integrated Science Services
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
107 Sutliff Avenue Rhinelander, WI 54501
(*) phone: (715) 365-8858
(*) fax: (715) 365-8932
(*) e-mail: Michael.Meyer@Wisconsin.govMichael.Meyer@Wisconsin.gov

Northwoods Loon Protection Program website coming soon !!!!!!!!!  Until then, here are some NLPP-related links.

Northwoods Loon Protection Program poster
NLPP Red Eye News, Volume 1, Issue 1
NLPP Red Eye News, Volume 2, Issue 1
WDNR Citizen Lake Monitoring Network