A Special Gift for Citizen Science

Tens of thousands of bird watchers channel their avocation into conservation by participating in the Lab's citizen-science research projects. Partnering with birders has been a hallmark of the Lab for four decades—a partnership that is about to get even stronger, thanks to the new Adelson Family Fund for Citizen Science.

This new endowment will allow citizen science to stretch and grow. "We can experiment with new ideas and new ways to get the public excited about conservation research," says Citizen Science director Janis Dickinson. "We can expand our research. We can reach out to children, families, and others to show them that technology and science are not intimidating—they're fun!"

Steve and Ellen Adelson (Cornell '55 and '58) are enthusiastic Lab members and citizen-science participants. Ellen Adelson is also a member of the Lab's administrative board. Both are passionate about getting families involved with nature and conservation.

"The Adelsons are the quintessential citizen scientists," says the Lab's associate director of development, Scott Sutcliffe. "They take their natural curiosity about things and run with it. Enthusiasm and generosity of friends like the Adelsons is a hallmark of all Lab members."

Janis Dickinson agrees. "I can't tell you how much appreciation and awe I feel at the generosity of people who look outside themselves and their own lives to something larger and contribute to it."

—Pat Leonard

For permission to reprint all or part of this article, please contact Laura Erickson, editor, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850. Phone: (607) 254-1114. email: lle24@cornell.edu