06/01/2026
Our team just got a little loonier!
We’re excited to welcome summer interns Blake Evers and Cedrik Von Briel to the NLC team. You may see them in the Nest, guiding pontoon tours on the Whitefish Chain or at outreach events throughout the state!
🐟Blake is a student at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities studying Biology, Human Physiology, and Spanish & Portuguese Studies. He is originally from the Twin Cities area, but growing up, he spent his summers in Crosslake. From a young age, he has been interested in the outdoors, with some of his hobbies including fishing, hiking, and paddleboarding. He credits his experiences with nature in the Crosslake area for sparking his interest in biology and inspiring him to pursue a scientific career. As a research intern, Blake will primarily be working to survey and monitor the loons and lakes of the Brainerd Lakes Area, as well as assisting with community outreach events. He is excited to be a new member of the National Loon Center team and to have the opportunity to learn more about our majestic state bird!
🐟Cedrik is a California boy who is first and foremost a bird guy and loves watching the wintering loons of his local Pacific coast harbors. He started his love for birds and bird science in high school, and has not looked back since. Cedrik is in his fourth year studying Wildlife Management and Communications at Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, California where he is a board member and trip leader for the local Godwit Days bird festival. He has also been a two-time camp counselor, a Snowy Plover nest surveyor, and an expert in the art of bird-feeding. This is his first year with the National Loon Center, and he is excited to spend the summer spitting loon facts and entertaining the masses with great loon views and the occasional loon pun.
Cedrik mostly spends his free time out in the field looking for birds, but also loves kayaking, photographing local wildlife, playing baseball, keeping up with Bay Area sports, and exploring the world.
