Love Adirondack Loons? Learn—and Support Them—From Anywhere
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s Loon Zoom virtual series connects loon lovers with expert-led talks on conservation, research, and the future of Adirondack lakes.
The majestic loon, an icon of the Adirondacks.
You don’t need a dock, a canoe, or a summer address in the Adirondacks to care deeply about loons. If the sound of a loon’s call across still water has ever stopped you in your tracks, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s (ACLC) Loon Zoom virtual event series is designed for you—no matter where you live.
Through expert-led, hour-long online presentations, Loon Zooms bring the science, stories, and urgency of loon conservation straight from Adirondack lakes to living rooms around the country. The series explores how loons live, migrate, and survive—and why protecting them matters not just locally, but everywhere clean water and healthy ecosystems are valued.
Loon on an Adirondack lake.
Designed for curious lake lovers, science-minded travelers, birders, and Adirondack advocates alike, Loon Zooms blend rigorous research with accessible storytelling—and they do it from the comfort of your living room.
For adktaste.com readers who value meaningful, value-added experiences, this series exemplifies what curated events should be: expert-led, mission-driven, and deeply connected to place.
The ACLC will offer multiple Loon Zoom events happening through spring 2026, each offering a different lens into the life of the common loon and the work being done to ensure its future.
What is a Loon Zoom?
Loon Zooms are live, virtual presentations featuring leading biologists, researchers, and conservationists from across North America. Each session runs approximately one hour and includes time for audience questions. Registration is $10 per event —an approachable price point that supports ACLC’s on-the-ground research and education efforts.
Links are emailed to registrants the day before each event, and recordings are sent the day after, making the series highly accessible even if schedules change. Whether you live lakeside in the Adirondacks or follow loon conservation from afar, Loon Zooms make participation easy.
Always observe loons at a safe distance.
What loon conservation looks like in real life.
Before diving into the Loon Zoom lecture series, it helps to see loon conservation in action. The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation works year-round to protect loons across the Adirondack Park, responding to real-time threats that can mean the difference between life and death.
This video captures ACLC’s hands-on rescue of an iced-in common loon—a situation that can occur during winter freeze-thaw cycles when open water disappears faster than loons can relocate. These rescues require scientific knowledge, coordination, and swift decision-making.
The stories behind moments like this are exactly what Loon Zooms explore in depth: how loons live, what challenges they face, and what it takes to keep Adirondack lakes healthy for future generations.
Rescuing Iced-In Loon on Lake George, NY
An iced-in common loon rescue by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation highlights the hands-on work behind loon research, monitoring, and lake protection in the Adirondacks.
Upcoming 2026 Loon Zooms.
January 15, 2026 — The recovery of the common loon in Vermont—and cautionary notes about the future
On January 15, experience a hopeful but clear-eyed look at conservation success. Vermont Center for Ecostudies biologist Eric Hanson will discuss the remarkable recovery of loon populations in Vermont over the past 30 years—a rebound made possible through sustained monitoring, public education, and targeted conservation strategies.
Loon on a northeastern lakeshore.
But this is not a victory lap. Hanson also explores the persistent and emerging threats loons face, from climate change to shoreline development, and why ongoing vigilance matters.
Importantly for Adirondack audiences, the talk underscores how regional cooperation—between organizations like ACLC and partners such as the Vermont Center for Ecostudies—strengthens loon protection across state lines.
This session sets the tone for the series: science-based optimism paired with practical responsibility.
February 19, 2026 — Loon wintering ecology and why South Carolina matters
While Adirondackers tend to think of loons as summer residents, their lives off-season remain one of the least understood chapters of their story. In this talk, Jay Mager, PhD, a behavioral ecologist and professor at Ohio Northern University, dives into groundbreaking research on loon wintering and migration behavior.
Loons gotta eat.
The focus: South Carolina’s Jocassee Gorges region, identified by National Geographic as one of the “100 Last Great Places on Earth.” Why does this area matter so much to loons during the non-breeding season? What threats do they face far from their Adirondack nesting lakes? And how does what happens there affect the birds that return north each spring?
For anyone interested in the full lifecycle of Adirondack wildlife, this session expands the map—and the conversation.
March 19, 2026 — Favorite loon stories II: Science meets storytelling
Research data matters—but so does emotional connection. Daniel and Virginia Poleschook, who have studied loons in northeastern Washington since 1995, return to the Loon Zoom series with a follow-up to their popular 2024–2025 presentation.
Loonlets catching a ride.
“Our Favorite Loon Stories II” leans into vivid storytelling, featuring dramatic images, engaging video, and memorable moments from decades in the field. It’s a reminder that conservation succeeds not just through statistics, but through stories that inspire people to care.
This session is ideal for first-time attendees, families, and anyone who simply loves loons.
April 16, 2026 — Looking back, looking forward: A year in review and 2026 preview
To close out the winter–spring series, ACLC Research Biologist Griffin Archambault offers a timely look at what’s happening right now on Adirondack lakes—and what lies ahead.
This presentation connects the dots between research, policy, and public engagement, highlighting key findings from the past year and previewing ACLC’s priorities for 2026. For supporters and newcomers alike, it’s a valuable snapshot of how conservation work evolves—and how community involvement continues to matter.
Adirondack loon family.
Why AdkTaste spotlights Loon Zooms.
At adktaste.com, curated event listings aren’t about quantity—they’re about quality. Loon Zooms exemplify the kind of programming that enriches Adirondack culture beyond food, lodging, and recreation. They offer insight, education, and a deeper understanding of the landscapes people come here to enjoy.
For travelers planning future Adirondack trips, year-round residents, or second-home owners invested in lake health, Loon Zooms provide context that enhances every paddle, swim, and sunrise view.
The details at a glance
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: $10 per session to support ACLC’s mission
Access: Links emailed the day before; recordings sent the day after
Who should attend: Lakefront property owners, paddlers, birders, conservation-minded travelers, educators, and Adirondack enthusiasts
Some meaningful Adirondack experiences don’t require a trailhead or a tank of gas. Sometimes, they start with logging on, listening closely, and learning why that haunting loon call still echoes across our lakes.
For more information, visit ACLC’s website. Visit the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake.
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