Carolyn Sedgwick-Ludwin

Expertise

Philanthropy • Habitat Conservation • Community Engagement • Partnership-building • Conservation Planning

As a member of the philanthropy team, I serve as an ambassador for the Lab of Ornithology and raise support for the Lab’s programs. In my role, I’m fortunate to collaborate with donors who are dedicated to advancing the conservation, appreciation, and understanding of both birds and our planet.

My enthusiasm for birds and the natural world started at a very early age, thanks to my parents. Professionally, I became focused on birds after a fateful day banding birds with the Lab’s Dr. David Bonter during a field ornithology course. As a Cornell undergraduate, I spent part of the academic year at the Lab conducting field research and contributing to efforts inside the building—from writing All About Birds species accounts to working for the eBird team. My summers were spent in the field researching bird behavior and habitat use.

Upon graduation, I conducted research for the Lab in the Channel Islands and later worked for a nonprofit in Costa Rica before pursuing my graduate work. Studying imperiled bird species in the U.S. and Central America fostered a real sense of urgency for me to help enact change. Consequently, I shifted my focus to protecting land and working directly with people. For many years I conserved land, restored habitat, and conducted outreach programs with land conservation organizations in both the U.S. and Latin America.

Prior to returning to the Lab of Ornithology, I served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition. I’m delighted to have come full circle and to be back with the Lab of Ornithology building capacity for bird conservation.

Education

Master’s, Duke University, Environmental Management
B.S., Cornell University, Natural Resources