For one day each summer, over the course of just 30 minutes, thousands of volunteers head out on lakes across Maine to count one of our state's most iconic animals: the common loon. For the Bessey family, the loon count has been a family tradition for four generations.
Citizen scientists like the Bessey family help the Maine Audubon to track conservation efforts - and it looks like they're paying off. Since the count started in 1983, loon populations in Maine have been on the rise.
Join the Bessey family on the water and experience this year's loon count up close in our latest Borealis video!
Learn more about the Maine Audubon and their work here!
Borealis is made possible by the generous support of our Production Sponsors, The Nature Conservancy in Maine and Poland Spring.
And by our Broadcast Sponsors, Evergreen Home Performance, Conservation Law Foundation, and the Maine Office of Tourism.
Production credits:
Produced, Written and Reported by: Aislinn Sarnacki
Videography and Editing: Rebecca Conley
Script Editing by: Jennifer Rooks
Additional aerial footage by: Brian Bechard
Additional photos and video courtesy: Chip Bessey, Maine Audubon, Storyblocks and Envato Elements