Passing of Rawson Wood

[moose tracks]

It is with sadness that I report that Rawson L. Wood, the Loon Preservation Committee's founder, passed away on July 4th at 103 years of age. Born on September 16, 1908, Rawson worked throughout his life for causes having to do with social justice and preserving nature. In 1975, concerned by the decreasing number of loons on Squam Lake where he and his family had summered for many years, Rawson created the Loon Preservation Committee to recover New Hampshire's loon population.

[Lucy Goose]

Wow 103! Sorry to hear but he did do a lot of good!

[Jonas Pilot]

Without people like Rawson Wood where might the health of our beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee be today? Mr. Wood was aware, way back in 1975, that without protection one of the most iconic symbols of the north woods, the common loon (Gavia mimer), faced a problem with the burgeoning population of tourists and year round folks. This was almost 40 years ago. He might not have been the only one to see this threat but he was the one that decided to do something about it. Why were Mr. Wood’s efforts and success so important to all of us? There was a reason miners of a long gone era used to bring canaries with them into the deep recesses of mines. They knew that if the tiny canary couldn't survive neither could they. Just like the canary the loon is an environmental indicator of the health of the ecosystem we share. A healthy environment for the common loon is a healthy environment for the common man.