Restoring and conserving Minnesota’s loons
When the Deepwater Horizon drilling unit exploded in April 2010, hundreds of wildlife species were impacted, including Minnesota’s common loons. The Nongame Wildlife Program created the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project to help this beloved species.
Our goal is to help Minnesota’s common loons survive and thrive. To accomplish this goal, we are:
- Protecting loon breeding habitat.
- Providing artificial nesting platforms in strategic locations.
- Engaging communities in loon conservation activities like the Loon-Friendly Lake Registry Program.
- Monitoring loons on Minnesota lakes.
Proceeds from the Minnesota United license plate help fund this project. Our partners in this project include the Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and you. Together, we can make a difference for Minnesota's loons!
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Project Background
The state of Minnesota is partnering with federal agencies to implement the restoration of Common loons in Minnesota. This project is one of many selected by the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG) to restore natural resources injured by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that injured many kinds of wildlife, including migratory birds.
The common loon (Gavia immer)is one of the many migratory bird species that was injured by the oil spill.
After a 2016 settlement with BP Exploration and Production Inc. (BP), Open Ocean TIG approved the loon project. This 7.52 million dollar project is being implemented by the Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the State of Minnesota. The goal of the MN Loon Restoration Project is to reduce mortality and increase the number of young loons produced in Minnesota.
2010
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling unit exploded, resulting in a massive release of oil from the BP Macondo well, causing loss of life and extensive natural resource injuries. Oil spread from the deep ocean to the surface and nearshore environment from Texas to Florida. Extensive response actions were undertaken to try to reduce harm to people and the environment. A wide-ranging assessment of injuries to the Gulf’s natural resources and the services those resources provide was conducted by the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean TIG. Not only did the TIG look at the effects of the oil on wildlife and their habitats, but they also considered the collateral impacts of spill response activities.
2016
As part of a 2016 settlement, BP agreed to pay a total of $8.1 billion in natural resource damages over a 15-year period, and up to an additional $700 million for adaptive management or to address injuries to natural resources that are presently unknown but may come to light in the future. The settlement allocated a specific sum for restoration within specific restoration areas and restoration types, including $70 million for restoration of birds in the Open Ocean Restoration Area.
The Open Ocean TIG is responsible for restoring natural resources and their services within the specified area that were injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In 2019, the group’s first restoration plan was finalized to address some of the injuries to natural resources caused by the spill.
2019
The Open Ocean TIG Comprehensive Restoration Plan for the Gulf of Mexico includes the restoration of Common loons in Minnesota at a funding level of $7,520,000. The restoration plan describes the project as follows:
The objectives of this proposed alternative are to reduce mortality and increase reproductive success of common loons at breeding, nesting, and migration staging locations in Minnesota by focusing on restoration activities that include: 1) acquisition and/or easements of lakeshore loon nesting habitat; 2) enhancing loon productivity by providing artificial nesting platforms in targeted lakes and engaging Minnesota lake associations in loon conservation activities; and 3) reducing loon exposure to lead-based fishing tackle. The estimated cost of this alternative is $7,520,000. The primary emphasis of this project would be on habitat acquisition/easements. The OO TIG {Open Ocean TIG} will work with federal, state and local agencies and other organizations as appropriate to facilitate effective project implementation.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program received $4.87 million for two purposes: (1) to protect lakeshore loon nesting habitat via either land acquisition or easements, and (2) to enhance loon productivity by providing artificial nesting platforms in targeted lakes and engaging Minnesota lake associations in loon conservation activities.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency received funding to reduce loon exposure to lead-based fishing tackle.
2024
The Minnesota United soccer team unveiled their new license plate. Proceeds from the license plate sales go directly to this project, ensuring continued funding to support Minnesota's loons.
Where is this project taking place?
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This project is focused in eight northern counties: Becker, Clearwater, Beltrami, Hubbard, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca and Aitkin.
These counties have the potential to sustain quality loon breeding habitat if proactive steps are taken to protect the habitat and limit disturbance during the breeding season.
Conservation efforts will help ensure that loons continue to nest and rear young on these counties’ lakes.
How can I support the MN Loon Restoration Project?
You can help Minnesota’s loons by volunteering with the Volunteer Loon Watcher Survey or the Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program. These low commitment community science projects are perfect for anyone who visits lakes in the summer.
You can also support this project by purchasing a Minnesota United license plate. Proceeds from the plate go directly to the project, ensuring funding for Minnesota's loons.
Also be sure to Get the Lead Out of loon habitat by using lead free tackle.
Questions? contact [email protected]
More information about common loons
- MN DNR common loon information
- The common loon as our state bird
- Common loon calls
- “Hoot, tremolo, yodel, and wail" by the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer
- University of Minnesota common loon information
- National Loon Center
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected].