Events
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Loon Conservation Workshop: Loon-Friendly Fishing
September 19, 2024 | 2:30-4:30
Cross Lake Recreation Area
Join us for an interactive workshop featuring a guest speaker from the Get the Lead Out program! This workshop includes a trip aboard the NLC's educational pontoon and is run in partnership with the Northern Waters Land Trust.
Loon Conservation Workshop: Pre-Migration Behaviors
September 19, 2024 5:00-7:00
Cross Lake Recreation Area
Join us for an interactive workshop for an introduction into seasonal loon monitoring! This workshop includes a trip aboard the NLC's educational pontoon and is run in partnership with the Northern Waters Land Trust.
Loons & Lakes Trivia
September 26, 2024 | 6-8pm
14 Lakes Brewery
Kick off Crosslake Days with a "loony" night of trivia! Hosted by the NLC and WAPOA. Bring in lead tackle for our drop-off box for extra bonus points.
Loon Calling Contest
September 28, 2024 | 3pm
Crosslake Town Square
Bring your best wail, tremolo, hoot, or yodel to the annual Loon Calling Contest in Crosslake! This "loony" event is a part of the Crosslake Days festival September 26-28.
The National Loon Center's Progress
2023
The National Loon Center announces an enhancement to the original site plan that placed the building on federal lands managed by the USACE. While maintaining programming and amenities at the Cross Lake Recreation Area, the NLC acquired nearby private lands to build the world-class facility and develop a sustainable natural campus with parking on-site. The nearby site spans nearly 10 acres between CSAH 3 Swann Drive and CSAH business trip. The Minnesota legislature allocates $2.5 million to the City of Crosslake to support the Center's construction as part of the bonding bill.
2022
In collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Loon Center, completed a shoreline restoration project near the boat landing at the Cross Lake Recreation Area. A floating dock system was also installed at the bay to prevent further erosion of the shoreline, with dedicated mooring stations for visitors of the campground and public use. An outdoor exhibit on loon calls was installed near the recreation area entrance.
2021
Archeological reviews and site planning at the Crosslake Recreation Area were completed and outdoor site enhancement began. In June of 2021, the NLC opened a temporary information center, called The Nest, in Crosslake Town Square, engaging around 4,000 visitors in its first year.
2019
Minnesota lawmakers approved $4 million to build National Loon Center in Crosslake. National Loon Center finalized a 25 year land lease with US Army Corps of Engineers at the future site location of the facility: the Cross Lake Recreation Area.
2018
The National Loon Center Community Input and Master Plan are developed by the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, Department of Applied Economics and the National Loon Center Foundation produce a Market Feasibility Study and Impact Assessment
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