Loon Volunteer Opportunities

Thanks for your interest in the Vermont Loon Recovery Project (VLRP). There are many different types of volunteer opportunities available from helping on part of single day to helping all summer long. The volunteer programs include 1) season-long volunteers, 2) Loonwatch day volunteers, 3) potential loon lake surveys, 4) loon emergencies and last minutes survey needs, 5) loon management, and 6) various education and research activities. For loon surveys, where you live will likely determine which lakes would work out well. Some lakes can be surveyed from shore, whereas others require a boat of some kind. There are also other other non-survey opportunities from assisting with research and data analysis to outreach and newsletter assistance.

Read over the descriptions below and contact Eric Hanson, VLRP loon biologist, about: a) your volunteer interests, b) where you live, c) how far you're willing to travel, and d) how much time you want to spend.

For all volunteers, there is a “volunteer hours form” that will need to be filled out to ensure we receive part of our funding from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Nongame Program. Please download this form for all of our volunteer programs and return to the VLRP Biologist at the conclusion of your chosen activity each summer.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Eric Hanson, Vermont Loon Recovery Project (VLRP) Biologist:

PO Box 22
Craftsbury, VT 05826
802 586-8064
ehanson@vtlink.net

The VLRP is a program of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD).

Loon Volunteer Programs

1) Season-long volunteers: help monitor a specific lake or lakes with known loon activity. For lakes with nesting pairs, the volunteer focuses on the territorial pair, established nest site, and chicks (if any) from mid-May through August. Most surveys are done weekly until the loons nest, and then every other week or so for the remainder of the summer. For volunteers who do not have this much time, monitoring is shared with either the VLRP biologist or another volunteer. For lakes with known loon activity only (no nesting yet), volunteers monitor the lakes 1-4 times a month to help document the level of activity and to help determine if a territorial pair begins to develop.

Time commitment: usually 1-4 times per month from mid-May to late August and keeping VLRP biologist updated regularly via email, mail, or phone.

Season Volunteer Instructions
Season Volunteer Form
Unassigned Lakes
Volunteer Hours Form

2) Loonwatch volunteers: help with one survey on the 3rd Saturday of July in the morning (over 130 lakes surveyed statewide, even ones not likely to have loons….our chance to pick up an occasional loon sighting).

Time commitment: 1/2 day.

3) Potential loon lake survey: For people who like to get out to lakes but may not have the time to consistently observe a lake throughout the summer. These surveys are for all lakes throughout the state without known nesting activity. This program allows us to get more surveys done on lakes that may only get surveyed once or not at all. It also allows us to determine which lakes need more (or less) surveys in the future. You do not have to contact the VLRP biologist before conducting these surveys, but he might be able to better update you lakes in greater need of surveys. You can download the potential loon lake list, data form, and volunteer hours form and start surveying lakes on the list at any time from mid-May through August.

Time commitment: variable from 1 lake survey to as many as you can.

4) Loon emergency and extra needs list. It's great to have volunteers who can help out at the last minute whether its checking on a loon in distress (e.g., caught in fishing line, beached), helping to catch a loon in this situation, transporting a loon to VINS or vet office, or helping with some surveys when needed quickly or at the last minute (e.g., loonwatch lake not assigned, check whether loons still on nest at a certain lake).

No forms: contact Eric Hanson with your interest, location, and availability.

Time commitment: variable

5) Management programs: The VLRP tries to find volunteers who can take over the management of loon nesting platforms and/or loon nest warning sign buoys. We put platforms out in late April and early May. We usually put out nest warning signs by mid-May depending on the nest site. You'll need a boat for these two activities. Most of this work is conducted on breeding lakes. Usually volunteers who help with management activities also conduct the season-long monitoring of the breeding pair, but this is not always necessary. The VLRP biologist would assist you for the first year to show you how. Some heavy lifting and a boat are usually required.

Time commitment: 1/2 day in late April/early May, another 1/2 day in July or August, plus possibility of season-long monitoring.

6) Various education and research activities: There are many “extra project” needs that could be undertaken including data analysis/summarizing, land conservation program development, volunteer educational material development, etc. Contact Eric Hanson for more information.