Blake Moynes, Founder of SOSA
I grew up spending summers at my family cottage, immersed in the Canadian wilderness on a remote, pristine freshwater lake. The tremolo of loons at dawn and dusk became the rhythm of home. My curiosity, fascination, and appreciation for all living things, from small salamanders to the enormous moose, was a constant. That sense of wonder has stayed with me my whole life, 26 years later, stronger than ever.
Like many kids, I drifted from my passions in high school, chasing the dream of professional hockey (and, let’s be honest, the girls). But the wild never truly left me. Unable to pursue zoology because of grades, I found a compromise: an outdoor adventure diploma, followed by a university degree in tourism management with a minor in community development. I always tried to tie my education to the outdoors, but it never fully recaptured the raw curiosity and belonging I felt as a child at my family cottage.
My twenties were a time of exploration. I took different jobs, always aiming for anything animal- or nature-related. Life felt comfortable, but… it lacked meaning – until a photo of Sudan, the last northern male white rhino, appeared on my Facebook feed. Once obsessed with dinosaurs, I saw rhinos as the modern-day equivalent. Seeing extinction so close to home sparked a curiosity and sense of purpose I hadn’t realized I was missing.
The rabbit-hole internet dive turned into a spontaneous next-day, one-way ticket to South Africa to volunteer at Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino sanctuary. The weeks I spent there were, without a doubt, catalytic. The connection I felt, to the animals, to conservation, and to purpose itself, was profound and lasting. When returning to Canada, I tried to settle into the safe life again, but the wild was calling.
A year later, an opportunity to appear on a U.S. reality show changed everything. Episode one brought a lot of eyes to my previously non-existent social media. Instead of self-promotion, I used the platform to share wildlife fundraising and petition campaigns for NGOs – for rhinos, orcas in captivity, coyote conservation, and more. The overwhelming support made it clear: there was a way to spotlight the causes I cared about most, giving voice to the voiceless.
It was a compounding effect. The more I shared, the more impact I saw, the more the meaning turned into obligation and responsibility. There was no turning back, no turning my back on wildlife, when I realized what I… what WE can do as a collective, for wildlife and wild places.
I leaned in, doubling down. I started creating media to support NGOs, which led to invitations to take part in their work firsthand, immersing myself in the master class of education through expert-led conservation. The more I said yes, the more I learned, drawing me into my dream life, one dedicated to conservation.
After three years living as a conservation nomad, I realized I could do more, together. Inspired through my experiences alongside the organizations I worked with across the world, conservation through collaboration and community became the core pillars of my journey.
“Okay, so what's up with the duck?” “Ahhh, Fer F**k… it’s not a duck! (based on several true events)
It’s a common loon, a symbol of the wild. So, what’s the story behind the loon? And what is a loon anyway? Well, it’s one that lies close to the heart of SOSA, and it all starts at a little lakeside cottage in the heart of Ontario, Canada. That’s where our founder, Blake, and his brother Cody, spent their childhood summers. Long, sun-soaked days wakeboarding, fishing, exploring, and generally getting into the kind of muddy, mosquito-filled adventures that somehow make the best memories (and even still do as adults).But amid all the noise and laughter, there was one sound that always stood out: the haunting, peaceful call of the common loon echoing across the mist-covered lake at sunrise and set. If you’ve ever spent a summer in Canada, you know it, that sound instantly takes you back. It’s the song of slow mornings, campfires, family, and the wild beauty of nature that feels like home.
For Blake, and for anyone who has that connection, the loon came to represent everything that the memories of summer in Canada holds, what matters most: connection, appreciation, community, and those little moments that remind you why life… all life, is worth celebrating, respecting and fully embracing. The loon was the perfect fit. It’s more than a logo. It’s a symbol of harmony between people and the wild places we call home, a reminder of why we do what we do. Because protecting nature isn’t just about conservation; it’s about keeping those memories alive, creating new ones, building strong connections and sharing surreal stories that last for generations. That’s what the loon represents to us, and to you, when you choose to join us: a community of people who live to stay wild, laugh a little louder, and chase the moments that make life feel full. A place where you feel at home, where you can be completely yourself, and where everyone shares the same love for the wild, the free, and the unforgettable, all while caring enough to protect it for the next generation. It’s where the “wild ones” go... so, welcome. The loon calls… are you ready to answer, Wild One?
