GREENSBORO – Seventy-five loon enthusiasts flocked to Greensboro’s United Church of Christ on Tuesday, June 10, to hear loon biologist, Eric Hanson, share his knowledge on the species.
Since 1998 Hanson has coordinated the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, a joint effort between the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. This project works to protect loon habitat, raise awareness and coordinates the efforts of hundreds of citizen scientists throughout the state.
The loon population is one of the state’s greatest conservation success stories, according to Hanson. In 1987 there were fewer than seven breeding pairs and subsequently the birds were placed on the endangered list. Today, loons are no longer considered endangered in the state. There are just over 100 breeding pairs, due to the monitoring, management and public outreach that Hanson coordinates.
photo by Stew Arnold
One breeding pair on Caspian Lake had hatched one of their chicks that same morning. Hanson announced the news and shared a video taken by Stew Arnold, citizen scientist and Greensboro resident, showing the newly-hatched chick.
To learn more about volunteering for the loon conservancy or to report loon sightings, email [email protected].
The event was sponsored by the Greensboro Free Library.
Bianca Caputo
Bianca Caputo is the library services librarian at the Greensboro Free Library.
