About
Dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world, the Cornell Lab joins with people from all walks of life to make new scientific discoveries, share insights, and galvanize conservation action.
Our mission is to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.
Welcome to the Cornell Lab
A note from Ian Owens, our executive director
When I was just 15 years old, a Eurasian Marsh-Harrier flew just inches above my head—a bird that was at once so beautiful, powerful, and yet fragile—it was an electrifying moment that changed my life. Ever since, I’ve never stopped looking for birds, or finding joy and inspiration in watching them.
Birds spark a deep wonder and endless fascination. They help us understand the living world and our connections to it. When birds disappear, they’re signaling that we’ve stressed and degraded our landscapes and oceans. When we make changes and they rebound, it signals hope that we humans can find ways to flourish and protect our wildlife and the natural world.
[upbeat music] What bird is that? How much do they eat? Why are they so colorful? What’s that bird doing? Curiosity gives rise to questions. Where do migratory birds go? What do birds tell us about our changing world? How can I help? Will they be here when I grow up? We are dedicated to finding answers together. Revealing how nature works. Linking a global community. Opening doors to the natural world. Transforming science into action. We are working together…to better understand our connections…to life on earth. [LOGO] The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, join us. [music resolves]
End of Transcript
Your support of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helps by enabling discovery of new knowledge to understand and protect nature, innovation of new technologies to reveal that knowledge, teaching to foster new leaders, inspiration to motivate change, and transformation of science to action to make a difference on the ground.
I hope you’ll join us on your own journey to experience the joy of birds and to learn along with us about the extraordinary feats they accomplish in their lives across the hemispheres. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community helping to create a sustainable, thriving world for birds and people.
Your support means so much for the future of birds and our planet. Thank you!
Ian Owens
Executive Director
Inspiration
Our Work
Science & Innovation
Discovering New Knowledge
We transform data into knowledge by pioneering new techniques at the interface of citizen science, machine learning, and data visualizations. Our field and lab studies explore the earth’s biodiversity, the processes that have generated it, and ways to conserve this abundance of life. Key partners in much of this research are the many thousands of people who volunteer for our citizen-science projects.
Education
Changing Hearts and Minds
We open the doors to inquiry and learning about the natural world, starting with the earliest ages and lasting a lifetime. Whether you’re a bird lover, an educator, or a student, our curricula, interactive courses, and professional development opportunities will empower you to explore the fascinating lives of birds and ignite a lifelong passion for nature.
Conservation
Protecting the Natural World
Conserving birds and biodiversity in the 21st century is a complex endeavor that requires innovative science and technology, a detailed understanding of ecological and social systems, and the ability to implement sustainable solutions at global and local scales.
Make a Difference
Let’s work together to protect birds and habitats
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