THE CALL OF THE WILD
Our Philosophy
The Loon Foundation’s philosophy is to ignite connections between people and the natural world and to foster and encourage responsible stewardship of our natural resources for future generations.
“The loon is a bird of the wilderness that symbolizes tranquility, serenity and the reawakening of old hopes, wishes and dreams. To see a loon means a dream will come true or a wish will be answered.”
Our Purpose
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01
To protect and enhance the ecological values of marine and freshwater ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast and in the Salish Sea.
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02
To conduct basic and applied scientific research to aid the preservation, enhancement, and management of the aquatic ecosystems, habitats and species of the Sunshine Coast region.
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03
To enable residents and visitors to explore and appreciate the natural wonders and cultural amenities of the Sunshine Coast.
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04
To provide science, arts, and cultural programs, performances, and courses for persons of all ages.
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05
To provide interpretive displays and programming about ecology and conservation, foster good stewardship ethics, and promote appreciation for First Nations history, cultural traditions, and heritage.
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06
To encourage appreciation of artistic expression of the natural local and regional landscape and seascape.
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07
To provide field bases, training, and laboratory facilities for scientific research and monitoring.
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08
To construct and operate green building facilities and to promote leadership in energy conservation and environment-friendly design.
The Loon Foundation has been conducting extensive long-term environmental monitoring in the Salish Sea and throughout the coastal waters of Pender Harbour for many years. Long-term monitoring acts as an effective early-warning system that sets a firm baseline from which we can gauge when significant changes are occurring in different aquatic ecosystems. Once we identify trends from this data, we can establish more detailed research initiatives to better understand what is causing the change and how we can best address it. In particular we focus on ecological responses to climate change, anthropogenic effects on biodiversity, and strategies to preserve habitats and species at risk and ensure sustainable and productive coastal ecosystems.
Long-Term Monitoring and Research
Support the Loon Foundation
We rely on donations from community organizations and individuals which goes towards helping to preserve and enhance the extraordinary biodiversity of the Sunshine Coast.
Stewardship
We believe that fostering connections between people and nature is key to empowering responsible stewardship of our environment for future generations. Our renowned Nature School program is a vital tool that helps to introduce and enlighten young children to the wonders of the natural world around them and to understand how important it is to establish a connection with it.
We also run summer camps for kids, hold an annual BioBlitz, offer a range of opportunities for citizen scientists, and host numerous other events and festivals in the community.