Plan an event that gets people involved:

It’s time to push back from the computer, detach the iPod, go outside, and reconnect with nature. That’s one of the goals behind the unique “Celebrate Urban Birds!” event sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Celebrations  will raise awareness about birds in the city through activities such as gardening, bird watching, art, and science.

Photo by Katherine A. Smith

“It is vital we understand how birds are affected by available green spaces, including parks, rooftop gardens, and even potted plants on balconies,” says project leader Karen Purcell. “Bringing people’s attention to urban nature is essential for global conservation awareness and efforts to help birds.”

To get as many groups of individuals in your community to participate in the "Celebrate Urban Birds!" experience--reach out and connect with groups of people in your community and introduce them to the fun of paying attention to birds.

"Art Becomes Birds, Birds Become Science" By Katherine A. Smith

Order Celebrate Urban Birds Kits to share with your participants

REGISTER and order materials for free on your online registration form.

You can also order kits by emailing urbanbirds@cornell.edu

The Celebration Kit, in English and Spanish, includes a colorful urban birds poster, educational materials about birds and urban greening, data forms, and sunflower seed packets for planting in pots and gardens.

If you are interested in ordering large numbers of kits and would like to put your logo on them-- contact us at urbanbirds@cornell.edu. Learn more!

Announce your local CUB event:

Clearly state the when, where and what of your local event to local media, and community groups and organizations. Let us know ahead of time and we'll help you promote your event. Email urbanbirds@cornell.edu

Here are some helpful tools:

Celebrate Urban Birds Flyer

Photos you can use in your outreach efforts

Celebrate Urban Birds through the Arts Flyer

Press Release for Celebrate Urban Birds '08

Please feel free to add your specific event details to create a new information release to be shared and distributed in your community.

Let people know how they can participate:

Explain the activities people will be doing and what they will receive if they choose to participate in your local CUB event as part of the national CUB event.

photo by Robert Barker

Activity ideas:

• Bird Watching with data Collection
• Art contest
• Community art project (mural, giant cardboard birds for a parade)
• Native plant treasure hunt
• For the bird snack table (seeds, nuts, berries, fruits)
• Live bird demonstration
• Homing pigeon demonstration (contact your local pigeon club)
• Connect with performing artists who may want to perform at your event (dance, theatre, music)

More than 500 organizations have signed on to host special events as part of “Celebrate Urban Birds!” including schools, public gardens, nature centers, museums, parks, afterschools, clubs, and more.

Showcase your local green spaces:

Host a tour of urban green spaces. These might include community gardens, parks, green balconies, green rooftops, green medians, and much more.

Acknowledge and tell stories of the green spaces and places cared for by groups in your community--that are also home-places to urban birds.

Who is The Cornell Lab of Ornithology?

It might be helpful to explain...Who is the Lab of Ornithology?

We care about birds and with the help of citizens we research and educate and share what we learn about birds with the world.  If you have been to the movies or watched TV you have probably experienced the science and magic of the Lab of Ornithology…..That’s because many of the birds, mammal, and animated character sounds heard in your favorite movies and TV shows come from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s world famous Macaulay Library.  

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a non-profit organization with the mission “To interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds." The Lab is a membership organization with approximately 31,000 members funded entirely by gifts from Lab members, donors, and staff.  

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

 Contact us for more assistance:

if you need additional assistance with promotion ideas or media questions.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO) will target national and regional audiences to announce the CUB event.