Volunteer Coordination

 

Successful loon conservation in Vermont relies on active volunteers assisting with all of the VLRP programs (See Volunteer Loonwatch Opportunties).  Over 120 volunteers help with the Adopt-a-lake program monitoring a specific lake for loon activity and/or assisting with management programs on the lake.   An additional 100 volunteers survey 1 to 3 lakes on Loonwatch Day, the statewide census on the third Saturday of July.  Other volunteers survey targeted lakes when they can, Casual Loon Surveys, while others assist with rescues and helping to monitor loons in distress.

The VLRP coordinator spends much of his time corresponding by email and phone, putting out mailings, and compiling volunteer data collected throughout the summer.  The results are a large network of local loon experts throughout Vermont.  Loonwatch “adopt-a-lake” volunteers contribute over 2,000 hours annually with monitoring, nest site protection, outreach, and loon rescues.