Message From Eric Hanson

I received the following message from Eric Hanson, loon specialist with the Vermont Loon Conservation Project. Eric is well known by many of our Joe's Pond residents. He has worked to establish and preserve the loons here for many years, working closely with Kevin Johnson and later Evelyn and Ray Richer to perfect the loon nesting platform. He has been our "go to" resource person whenever one of our loons got into trouble, and has always given great assistance and advice. I contacted him on several occasions when I was secretary of JPA, so I have passed this message on to our present secretary, Jamie Stewart.

Eric wrote:

Dear Loon Contacts                              Spring/Summer 2021                                 

                                                                                     

I am writing to touch base and let you know about some Vermont Center for Ecostudies opportunities, loon information, etc. I currently have you listed as a contact for your lake….at some point in the past you have either volunteered actively, own land near a nest site, or reported some information about loons. I do not have you currently listed as a volunteer, although I might contact you if we had a loon reported in distress to check on.

 

I want to let you know that VCE still has plenty of volunteer opportunities (loon monitoring, management help, insect monitoring, songbird monitoring) as well as educational forums from monthly e-news to zoom outreach and suds ‘n science programs. Let me know if you’d like to receive any information about these programs or visit the VCE website  www.vtecostudies.org.

If you’d like to receive the Loon Caller newsletter and VCE Field Notes, please consider becoming an active volunteer and/or supporting VCE loon conservation efforts. I have over 1600 people on my contact list with about 300 active volunteers…it’s one reason loons are so successful in VT.

 

I am excited for the 2021 loon season….back on the water, cherishing quiet moments as pairs look for nest sites or take care of chicks, being ready to step back and be amazed by a territorial chase or an eagle swooping in. And life will hopefully be a bit more normal by mid-summer.  Spending time on the water can be a way to escape the big crazy world and enjoy the moment. 

 

And lastly, I want to let you know that we are offering LOON T-SHIRTS AND HOODIES

   bonfire: loon t-shirts and hoodies       

 

We have a colorful selection of short-sleeve, long-sleeve, kids shirts, and hoodies for sale. You can place orders through the Bonfire website. We have placed not one, but TWO beautiful prints on the shirt/hoodie by Katama Murray and AnnaLisa Mayer. You’ll be supporting VCE and loon conservation, and you’ll expand awareness about loons as people ask you about the program and you become the ambassador. Thank you!  

 

Place orders this week for the first batch of printing; orders can be placed at any time but they tend to do them in occasional batches.  Women’s slim fit tees – they run really small so if you usually wear a small, order a large.  Unisex Tees run true to size.

 

Have a good summer season on the water.

                            

Eric Hanson,

VLCP Coordinator and VCE Conservation Biologist                                        

PO Box 22, Craftsbury, VT 05826              (802) 586-8065              ehanson@vtecostudies.org

 

Major funding of the VLCP comes from individual donations.

Donations to support loon conservation in Vermont can be sent to VT Center for Ecostudies.

VCE, PO Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055.

 

This project funded in part by the VFWD Nongame Wildlife Program

 

Eric Hanson 

Vermont Loon Conservation Project  

Vermont Center for Ecostudies

www.vtecostudies.org

802-586-8065