Loon-Friendly Lake Certification Program
What is it?
The ACLC’s Adirondack Loon-Friendly Lake Certification Program promotes community-based environmental stewardship to better protect loons and their aquatic habitats. Adirondack loons face many threats — some natural, and some caused by humans, including:
Loss of nesting habitat due to shoreline development
Human disturbance of loon nests and families
Injuries due to fishing line entanglement, boating accidents, predation, and territory battles
Flooding of nests due to water level changes
Lead poisoning from accidentally consuming lead fishing tackle
Environmental pollutants, including mercury and flame retardants, that bioaccumulate
Avian diseases and parasites
By working together, Adirondack residents and visitors can help minimize and address many of these challenges to better protect Adirondack loons and the lakes they share with us and other wildlife. This program provides lake associations and other interested groups with guidelines, trainings, and conservation projects to ensure that their lake continues to support breeding loons for years to come.
Please Note: We request an annual donation of $100 to help continue this program.
Click here to download this brochure about the Adirondack Loon-Friendly Lake Certification Program
Adirondack Loon-Friendly Lake Certification Projects:
Organizing community lake cleanups each year
Providing ACLC brochures to lake residents and rental properties to educate visitors about loon-safe boating and recreation practices
Placing “Help Protect Loons” signage at boat launches
Installing and maintaining a Fishing Line Recycling Container at your lake
Collecting and recycling lead fishing tackle, and more!
Participants will receive training and materials to help them conduct projects to protect Adirondack loons and lakes. Those who complete the requirements will be recognized as an “Adirondack Certified Loon-Friendly Lake” by the ACLC. Other benefits of completing the program include recognition on our website and discounts on merchandise at the Adirondack Loon Center and ACLC field trips.
With the help of Adirondack lake associations and other community groups, this program will lead to enhanced understanding of loon natural history and behavior by Adirondack residents and visitors. These efforts contribute to cleaner lakes, improved loon nesting success, fewer loon injuries from fishing line and lead tackle, and reduced human disturbance.
Small actions make a big difference to the loons on your lake!
2022 Certified Loon-Friendly Lakes Include:
Augur Lake - Town of Chesterfield, Essex County
Big Moose - Town of Webb/Long Lake, Herkimer/Hamilton Co.
Brant Lake - Town of Horicon, Warren County
Brantingham Lake - Town of Greig, Lewis County
Friends Lake - Town of Chester, Warren County
Loon Lake - Town of Chester, Warren County
Lake Abanakee - Town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County
Lake Clear - Town of Santa Clara, Franklin County
Mt. Arab Lake - Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County
Eagle Crag Lake- Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County
Rainbow Lake - Town of Brighton, Franklin County
Raquette Lake - Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County
Schroon Lake - Town of Schroon, Essex County
Schroon Lake (East Shore) - Town of Horicon, Warren Co
Sixberry Lake - Town of Theresa, Jefferson County
Trout Lake - Town of Hermon, St. Lawrence County
We look forward to continuing to build this program!
The Adirondack Loon-Friendly Lake Program was developed with support from the Freed Foundation and Northern New York Audubon with a grant from the Joseph and Joan Cullman Conservation Foundation.
This project is funded through grants from the Blake Nuttall Ornithological Fund, Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Bouchard Barge 120 Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Trustees.