New York Operations
New York Loon Conservation Project
Audubon International is actively involved in
the protection of wildlife and the enhancement of wildlife habitats across the
state. Not only are we actively working to preserve wildlife habitat on our own
property while also educating others to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat
through our Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
System, but we also manage research and
citizen participation programs for wildlife—the most notable being our New York
State Loon Conservation Project.
The New York Loon Conservation Project has monitored the migratory and
breeding populations of loons in New York State since 1987. Volunteer Loon
Rangers conduct loon monitoring while our staff educates the public through
printed materials, workshops, and presentations about loons and environmental
quality in general. We also work with other organizations and state and
federal agencies to better understand important issues affecting the loon, which
has been listed as a Species of Special Concern by the NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation.
Many species rely exclusively or primarily on aquatic
habitats for their survival. The common loon lives in the water for the vast
majority of its life cycle. Monitoring such water dependent wildlife can
provide us with important information on the effects of pollution like acid rain
and mercury, it can help us determine the impacts of human development and
disturbance, and can give us early warning of serious environmental threats.
Such information allows us to educate the public and effect legislation in New
York State.
Visit the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program Online
at:
http://www.adkscience.org/loons/
Click here to see the Interactive
Common Loon Migrations Flash Movie
We are also actively engaged on the local level in
wildlife rehabilitation and release efforts. Audubon International has a licensed
wildlife rehabilitator on staff and our sanctuary properties are used as
release sites for rehabilitated wildlife. If you’d like to learn more
about wildlife rehabilitation or if you are interested in donating old aquariums, animal cages,
etc. for our use,
or you'd like to contribute financially toward our wildlife rehabilitation efforts please email Fred Realbuto or call him at
(518)767-9051 ext. 15.
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