New Faces, New Blog
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation has some exciting additions this season!
First, we welcome two new employees: Denise Silfee joins us as a full-time Education and Communications Director, and Brendan Gruber joins us for a six-month position splitting his time between working as a Wildlife Technician and Loon Center Associate.
Denise Silfee
Denise Silfee is excited to join the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation as the new Education and Communications Director. Pictured here in 2024 during a project in Panama that she has been a part of since 2019.
Denise relocated to Saranac Lake, NY, from Eugene, OR, in April along with her husband and their dog, MoMo. Denise grew up in Pennsylvania but has lived in Oregon and internationally for the last 18 years or so. She has graduate degrees in education and journalism and has worked in many different capacities: as a wrangler on horse ranches, a teacher, a volunteer coordinator, a Peace Corps Volunteer and a freelance multimedia storyteller. She didn’t always follow a conventional path, but her curiosity has provided her with many experiences that make her a great fit for the Adirondack Loon Center.
“I am excited to be here because it is a position that brings together so many of my previous skills in education, working with volunteers and storytelling,” Denise said. “I’m very excited to continue learning and to put all of that experience together to work for the conservation of wildlife.”
In 2023, Denise and her husband thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. Denise said one of her favorite parts of the trail was in Maine: “The best nights were the ones sleeping near lakes and listening to the loons. I can’t wait to get to spend time up close with Adirondack loons!”
Brendan Gruber joins the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation as a Wildlife Technician and Loon Center Associate. He is most excited to spend time on the water observing loons.
Brendan Gruber
Brendan graduated from SUNY New Paltz in May 2023 with a degree in astronomy and minors in biology and physics. He grew up in Wappingers Falls, NY, and is excited to be working for an organization focused on birds.
“I got into birds in high school,” Brendan said, “but I can’t tell you exactly why or how. I just started being interested in them and then it escalated from there.”
Before arriving in Saranac Lake, Brendan didn’t know much about loons specifically and was surprised to learn they can’t walk. He was also shocked to learn how territorial loons can be, sometimes fighting each other or intruders to the death.
Brendan is excited to learn more about common loons. “Learning deeply about one species contributes to the bigger picture,” he said.
Aside from helping out in the Loon Center, Brendan will be monitoring a lake and taking on a big role in the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation’s efforts to spread awareness around lead poisoning from lead fishing tackle in loons.
Brendan isn’t sure exactly what he wants to do in the future, but he expects his interest in birds to be consistent. He currently is a member of the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club for Duchess County, and was excited to identify 61 species during the last bird watching census.
“I’m excited to see where this takes me,” he said of his new position, and we’re excited to have him.
Second, we are also pleased to announce our new blog!
Now, you will be able to filter to see the types of blog posts you are most interested in, with categories like A Naturalist’s View, Community, In the Field and Rescues.
All previous blog entries will be back-posted to our new blog, though this may take some time. Check back periodically to re-read past posts about rescues and observations about loons in their natural habitat.
If you have an idea for a story for our blog, please send it to Denise at education@adkloon.org.
Thank you for reading, and follow along as we get going on another exciting summer in the Adirondacks!