Michigan Loonwatch was founded in 1986 at the behest of MI Department of Natural Resources. It is the field arm of the Michigan Loon Preservation Association, and its primary mission is to ensure that every loon nest in the state receives individual monitoring and protection.
At the heart of our Michigan Loonwatch Program are the dedicated individuals who make our work possible: the Loon Rangers and Area Coordinators. These volunteers generously contribute their time and efforts to safeguard the iconic loons in our state, to help ensure that the song of the loon will not disappear from Michigan.
Year after year, these dedicated individuals meticulously observe loons on our lakes and report vital information to our Michigan Loonwatch database. This database provides us with up-to-date insights and statistics to offer the best protection for loons and their natural habitats.
We don’t keep this information to ourselves. Our database and map data are shared with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, which enables them to protect loons and their habitats on a broader scale. This extensive data is a valuable resource for federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private organizations. It guides decisions related to management, development, and conservation, and plays a crucial role in various permit applications, such as aquatic herbicide treatments, gypsy moth spraying, construction, development, dredging, and wetland preservation.
Our Rangers often help the loons’ story to be successful when it looks like all might fail by performing rescue work and addressing issues like fishing line entanglements, stranded loons, and failed nesting attempts. They are on the front lines, providing immediate protection and educational efforts for those who enjoy our lakes, be it for recreation or residence.
If you are interested in helping with the Area Coordinator efforts and/or becoming a Loon Ranger, we would be happy to hear from you! We presently cover 47 Michigan counties and have over 300 lakes in our database. Some lakes do not have Rangers, so if you live on or visit a lake that has loons, please consider being part of our Loon Ranger Program! We thank you, and the loons do too!