"Mom Looks at Her Babies" by Shelley Martinez, Loon RangerGrowing Steadily: The summer in full bloom now and everything is growing, including Michigan’s new loon chicks, and our MLPA Loonwatch Program! We have added ten new Loon Rangers in the past month, twenty since last fall! Loonwatch is now in its twenty-third year, and continues to expand and to be the foremost group protecting our loons and their habitat statewide. Support for MLPA and Loonwatch is also growing, as we are adding new members each week. We rely on our memberships to help provide the services that keep alive our efforts for the loons. We sincerely thank all of you who are a part of MLPA and Michigan Loonwatch, and are looking forward to the continued growth of our membership and work. We encourage those who are not yet MLPA members to join us as we look to a bright future for our organization and for the loons!
Important Work: This summer has seen much activity in loon protection. Our volunteer Loon Rangers provide something that no regular paid staff could have time or funding to do, and that is day-to-day monitoring and protection of the loons on the lakes. Our volunteers are the backbone of our group and, indeed, of loon protection in Michigan. We are grateful that so many of our Michigan citizens, over 250 (as well as summering Rangers from Illinois and Wisconsin) have stepped up to provide this invaluable work. Why do they do this? Very simply, it is out of love for the loons and for our priceless natural heritage. That is why, year after year, as they return to the lakes along with the loons, the Loon Rangers gladly begin again their happy task of watching, and waiting for the moment of the first glimpse of the season's new chicks; the new little family. It is a good sign, full of hope for the future and for us all.
