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Loonwatch Volunteer OpportunitiesThere are many different types of volunteer opportunities available from surveying a lake on a single day to helping all summer long. Where you live will likely determine which lakes would work out well. Some lakes can be surveyed from shore, whereas others require a boat. There are also non-survey opportunities from assisting with research and data analysis to outreach and newsletters.
Instructions, lake lists, and data forms for each volunteer activity are available below or they can be sent to you by the VLRP Coordinator. Please include in your correspondance: 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. Eric Hanson 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 and return to the VLRP Coordinator at the conclusion of your chosen activity each summer. Monitoring Monitor a specific lake to track nesting and territorial pairs or determine how much loons use a lake. 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 loon activity but no nesting (yet), volunteers monitor the lake periodically to document the level of activity and 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. Management assistance The VLRP tries to find volunteers who can take over the management of loon nesting rafts and/or loon nest warning sign buoys. We put rafts out in late April and early May and nest warning signs by mid-May. Usually volunteers who help with management activities also conduct the monitoring of the breeding pair, but this is not always necessary. The VLRP biologist would assist you the first year and whenever needed. Some heavy lifting and a boat are usually required. Contact the VLRP Coordinator to get started and check out the "lakes in need fo volunteers" list. If the lake you want is not on the "lakes in need of volunteer" list, there might be a volunteer assigned to that lake. We like to have a team of volunteers covering lakes, so please contact the VLRP for more information. Time commitment: half-day in late April/early May, another half-day in July or August, plus possibility of season-long monitoring. Forms:
Survey a lake (or 2 or 3) for one hour on the 3rd Saturday of July. Over 150 lakes are surveyed statewide. Contact the VLRP Coordinator for a lake assignment. The census results are used to estimate the number of loons in Vermont annually. Time commitment: half-day, July 18th Forms:
Survey a lake in need of more loon surveys at anytime from May through October (e.g., breeding lakes without regular volunteer monitoring, lakes not surveyed often). The “Casual Survey” program is for people who like to get out to lakes but may not have the time to consistently observe a lake throughout the summer. It is also a great excuse to go boating. You do not have to contact the VLRP biologist before Time commitment: variable, from one lake survey to as many as you can. Forms:
Loon Rescuer and On-Call Surveyor Time commitment: variable No forms: contact the VLRP Coordinator with your interest, location, and availability. There are many “extra project” needs that could be undertaken including data analysis/summarizing, land conservation program development, volunteer educational material development, etc. Contact the VLRP Coordinator for more information. Building Nest Warning Signs and Nesting Rafts
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conducting these surveys. Download the “Casual Survey” lake list, data form, and volunteer hours form and start surveying lakes on the list at any time from May through October. Report your observations on 
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 or beached), helping catch a loon in distress, transporting a loon to VINS Wildlife Services or a veterinary office, or conducting surveys at the last minute (e.g., loonwatch lake not assigned, check whether loons still on nest at a certain lake).
Looking for a hands-on project to do with your children or group? Nest warning signs and nesting rafts are in constant need of replacement as they become waterlogged. In addition, we occasionally need signs and rafts for new loon nesting pairs. These activities tend to be better for ages 12+ since hammering, sawing, and lifting are required. It might be possible to arrange the placement and/or removal of these management tools in early to late May or mid-summer with small groups. Contact the VLRP Coordinator for more information. See “
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