{"id":8178,"date":"2025-09-26T13:42:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T17:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bcehomebp2.wpengine.com\/?page_id=8178"},"modified":"2026-01-21T16:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:09:11","slug":"annual-report-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/annual-report-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Cornell Lab Annual Report 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group top-callout has-gold-background-color has-background has-background-image negative-margin-top remove-margin-bottom add-padding-bottom is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/indigo-bunting-ar-cutout.jpg)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns remove-margin-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote show-quotes\"><blockquote><p>A lot of people want to do something meaningful <em>right now<\/em>. And the opportunity now is to do this at scale with partners around the world.<\/p><cite><em>Ian Owens, Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-warm-black-background-color has-background has-large-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/give.birds.cornell.edu\/page\/87895\/donate\/1?ea.tracking.id=WXXXXX01C\">Donate Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.wp-block-group.has-background-image.top-callout { background-size: contain; background-position: right center; min-height: 400px; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:110px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer animate-in-view connecting-line \"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull teal-gradient has-white-background-color has-background remove-margin-bottom add-padding-top remove-padding-bottom is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">The Lab Is an Accelerator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size remove-margin-top\">A Conversation with Our Director<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What does the future look like for the Cornell Lab? In an urgent time for conservation, Lab director Ian Owens says, the Lab&#8217;s role is to step up, not step out. It&#8217;s a time to be bold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That means leveraging the Lab&#8217;s role as an accelerator\u2014creating tools and building expertise that our many partners can use in sophisticated ways to create continental-scale impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/a-conversation-with-our-director\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18641\">Read the full conversation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/blue-winged-teal-matt-zuro-min.png\" alt=\"blue-winged teal in flight\" class=\"wp-image-18856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/blue-winged-teal-matt-zuro-min.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/blue-winged-teal-matt-zuro-min-720x480.png 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/blue-winged-teal-matt-zuro-min-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/blue-winged-teal-matt-zuro-min-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Blue-winged Teal by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/617389609?__hstc=161696355.a9c09b62293f0e1220f577280b3fa419.1705088133242.1758294250482.1758301721815.900&amp;__hssc=161696355.2.1758301721815&amp;__hsfp=1745665186\">Matt Zuro \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer connecting-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.teal-gradient, .teal-gradient:after { background: #CEE6F3; background: linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(145, 143, 136, 1) 0%, rgba(200, 199, 192, 1) 12%, rgba(206, 230, 243, 1) 36%, rgba(206, 230, 243, 1) 66%, rgba(222, 231, 230, 1) 100%); }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-forest-green-background-color has-background remove-margin-bottom add-padding-top remove-padding-bottom is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-small-font-size\">The Magic of Merlin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size remove-margin-top\">How Does the Lab Spark a Global Conservation Movement?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Back in 2008, the Lab&#8217;s director of communications, Miyoko Chu, noticed a trend: The most common search terms on the Lab&#8217;s All About Birds site were phrases like <em>little brown bird<\/em>. People were trying to use the site as an identification tool, but they didn&#8217;t know the names they needed to search for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why not build an identification tool?, was Miyoko&#8217;s next thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With help from a National Science Foundation grant, the tool that was to become Merlin Bird ID started to gain ground. Launching with 285 common bird species, it soon added a photo ID tool, expanded to nearly 11,000 species, and then cracked a notoriously hard software challenge: sound ID. All while remaining free to more than 10 million active users\u2014connecting them with nature and opening up a world of participatory science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dig into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/the-magic-of-merlin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18643\">the untold story of the rise and rise of the Merlin Bird ID app<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large caption-overlay caption-hover add-margin-top remove-margin-bottom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"701\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar-1280x701.jpg\" alt=\"Collage of phones showing TikTok influencers using Merlin and photos of birds\" class=\"wp-image-18806\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar-1280x701.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar-720x395.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar-768x421.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar-1536x842.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar-480x263.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/magic-of-merlin-ar.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Tiktok photos courtesy @theylovefrioo, @nonbinarying, @badgerlandbirding. Additional photos by Gerrit Vyn, Ian Davies, Rachel Philipson. Lilac-breasted Roller by Andrew Spencer, Common Yellowthroat by Brad Imhoff \/ Macaulay Library.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-sand-neutral-tint-background-color has-background remove-margin-bottom remove-padding-top is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer connecting-line\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-small-font-size\">Inspiration\/Activation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size remove-margin-top\">How Can We Multiply Everyday Actions That Save Birds?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, billions of birds die from preventable causes. And yet millions of people love birds. By connecting people who care with solutions that work, we can jump-start their actions to help. That&#8217;s what Lab director Ian Owens means by viewing the Lab as an accelerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1220\" height=\"915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-inspiration-1.33.jpg\" alt=\"people working on an open structure out at sea, with boats moored alongside\" class=\"wp-image-18744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-inspiration-1.33.jpg 1220w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-inspiration-1.33-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-inspiration-1.33-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-inspiration-1.33-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-inspiration-1.33-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1220px) 100vw, 1220px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In New Jersey, a K-12 educator organized a team to create a floating platform for nesting Common Terns. <em>Photo by David Harp.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">K\u201312 Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile add-margin-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column right-border is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family has-xxxlarge-font-size remove-margin-bottom\">4,500+<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family\">educators<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family has-xxxlarge-font-size remove-margin-bottom\">116 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family\">trainings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">NestWatch<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile add-margin-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column right-border is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family has-xxxlarge-font-size remove-margin-bottom\">4,000+<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family\">participants<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family has-xxxlarge-font-size remove-margin-bottom\">139.4K<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family\">nests in 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">Bird-Friendly Windows<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile add-margin-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column right-border is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family has-xxxlarge-font-size remove-margin-bottom\">3.5M<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family\">reached via social media<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family has-xxxlarge-font-size remove-margin-bottom\">8,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sans-font-family\">webinar views<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Read more about the ways <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/inspiration-and-activation\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18651\">thousands of people are connecting passion to action<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n@media print, screen and (max-width: 47.9375em) {\n .right-border { border-right: 1px solid rgba(46, 38, 31, .35) !important; padding-right: 1rem !important; }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:110px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer connecting-line\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-sky-blue-neutral-background-color has-background remove-margin-bottom add-padding-bottom is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Deep Listening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size remove-margin-top\">How Could Castoff Tech Become an Underwater Sound Revolution?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For four decades the Cornell Lab has used its bioacoustics expertise to  demystify the world&#8217;s oceans, stop whale collisions, and tackle myriad other marine conservation issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, a new technique called distributed acoustic sensing is showing huge promise for detecting and monitoring arctic whales, through an ingenious use of old fiberoptic cables on the seafloor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find out how repurposed fiberoptics <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/deep-listening\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18645\">are revolutionizing underwater sound monitoring<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500-1280x960.jpg\" alt=\"top view of a whale swimming\" class=\"wp-image-18762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/annual-report-bowhead-1.33-1500.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Bowhead whale by Vicki Beaver, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:112px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer connecting-line more-margin-bottom\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-white-background-color has-background remove-margin-bottom remove-padding-bottom is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Any Person, Any Study, Any Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size remove-margin-top\">How Does the Lab Support Learners for a Lifetime?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Cornell University&#8217;s motto is &#8220;&#8230;any person&#8230;any study.&#8221; At the Lab, we cater to people of all ages around the world, supporting their vision, passion, skills, and lifelong pursuits with birds, nature, and conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From sparking the imagination of elementary school children; to showing high-schoolers all that an ornithology career can encompass; to providing a collaborative, ambitious community of young scientists and beyond; we&#8217;re there for learners every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/any-person-any-study-any-vision\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18649\">how the Lab opens doors for learners<\/a> at all stages of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized pygmy-nuthatch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"677\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pygmy-nuthatch-will-sweet.jpg\" alt=\"Pygmy nuthatch perched\" class=\"wp-image-18894\" style=\"width:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pygmy-nuthatch-will-sweet.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pygmy-nuthatch-will-sweet-720x609.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pygmy-nuthatch-will-sweet-768x650.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pygmy-nuthatch-will-sweet-480x406.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pygmy Nuthatch by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/387416341\">Will Sweet \/ Macaulay Library<\/a><\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list list-style-circle connecting-line has-sans-font-family has-large-font-size\">\n<li><strong>early childhood<\/strong> Spark a Love of Birds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>middle school<\/strong> Connect the Dots <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>high school<\/strong> See Possibilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>undergraduate<\/strong> Try Solutions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>graduate<\/strong> Lead and Mentor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>postdoc<\/strong> Innovate and Illuminate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>early career<\/strong> Move Knowledge to Action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>any stage<\/strong> Learn for a Lifetime<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full floating-birders\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1144\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/learning-birders-ar-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Two birders looking toward a subject with excitment\" class=\"wp-image-18887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/learning-birders-ar-2025.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/learning-birders-ar-2025-720x824.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/learning-birders-ar-2025-768x879.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/learning-birders-ar-2025-480x549.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by Alli Smith.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\nol.list-style-circle { position: relative; z-index: 5; }\nol.list-style-circle li { padding-top: 1.125rem; } \nol.list-style-circle li strong { font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 200 !important; position:absolute; top: -.375rem; text-transform: uppercase; }\n\n\n.floating-birders { bottom: 0; left: 75%; position: absolute; width: 500px; z-index: 0; }\n@media screen and (max-width: 1024px) { \n .floating-birders { display: none; } \n}\n@media screen and (min-width: 780px) { \n .pygmy-nuthatch figcaption { bottom: 0; left: 0; position: absolute; padding: .1rem !important; }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-sand-background-color has-background remove-margin-bottom remove-padding-top add-padding-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer connecting-line more-margin-bottom\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Powering a New Era of Conservation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size remove-margin-top\">How Do Key Partnerships Accelerate the Lab&#8217;s Mission?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"901\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/redhead-isaac-polanski-616924799-1.33-1200.jpg\" alt=\"duck with red head and black and white body\" class=\"wp-image-18760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/redhead-isaac-polanski-616924799-1.33-1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/redhead-isaac-polanski-616924799-1.33-1200-720x541.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/redhead-isaac-polanski-616924799-1.33-1200-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/redhead-isaac-polanski-616924799-1.33-1200-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/redhead-isaac-polanski-616924799-1.33-1200-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Redhead by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/616924799\">Isaac Polanski \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>A new era of conservation is unfolding thanks to birders around the world. This year, eBird passed 2 billion observations\u2014an unprecedented amount of data that can fundamentally change how we protect birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One way we&#8217;ve used that data is to create eBird Status and Trends, a next-gen tool that provides a detailed, county-level look at how birds are faring. Partners like the North American Waterfowl Management Plan can now use the tool for critical planning, answering questions like <em>Where do waterfowl need habitat?<\/em> and <em>When do we need to be providing it? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find out more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/powering-a-new-era-of-conservation\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18647\">how eBird is helping supercharge waterfowl conservation<\/a> and habitat protection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull announcement has-white-background-color has-background more-margin-top is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-large-font-size\" id=\"financial\">Financial Report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns connecting-line is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column no-margin-bott is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Fiscal Year:<br>July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cornell Lab of Ornithology  continues to thrive thanks to our dedicated community of supporters. During fiscal year 2025, generous contributions from more than 200,000 members and donors\u2014representing more than 75% of our annual revenue and totaling $38.7 million\u2014amplified our ability to advance conservation through research, education, and participatory science. Our unique position as a nonprofit organization within a world-class research institution allows us to maximize our impact, equipping individuals and organizations worldwide with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration needed to address declining bird populations and protect biodiversity. The steadfast philanthropic commitment from our supporters empowers us to nurture talent, embrace cutting-edge technology, and pursue bold solutions on behalf of birds and nature. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in this vital work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Donors as <em>Accelerators<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever been lucky enough to watch a murmuration? Hundreds of thousands of starlings turn, swell, dive, and move as one. It\u2019s breathtaking, in part, because this sinuous dance can happen only at a staggering scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has mobilized our own murmuration. Because of committed supporters like you, the Lab is extending our network of global partners, deepening our investment in data tools and tech, and expanding our efforts to activate millions of people around birds and biodiversity. Thank you for being part of a mighty and growing flock. By working together, we will bring about a healthier planet and a more hopeful future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-red-background-color has-background has-large-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/annual-report-2025.pdf\">Download the Full 2025 Annual Report<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re pleased to recognize <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/philanthropy-donor-tributes-2025\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"19107\">our Sapsucker Woods Society members and honor and memorial tributes<\/a>&nbsp;here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download previous annual reports here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/annual-report-2024\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"19072\">2024<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2023-annual-report-2.0.pdf\">2023<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-annual-report.pdf\">2022<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-annual-report.pdf\">2021<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2020-cornell-lab-annual-report.pdf\">2020<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2019-annual-report.pdf\">2019<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-cornell-lab-annual-report.pdf\">2018<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2017.pdf\">2017<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2016.pdf\">2016<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2015.pdf\">2015<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2014.pdf\">2014<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2013.pdf\">2013<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2012.pdf\">2012<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2011.pdf\">2011<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2010.pdf\">2010<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CornellLab-AnnualReport2009.pdf\">2009<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"729\" height=\"1083\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-revenue-1.png\" alt=\"Donut chart showing FY25 revenue, with 75.1% from membership and gifts and smaller portions from grants, program income, and investments\" class=\"wp-image-18899\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:undefinedpx\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-revenue-1.png 729w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-revenue-1-720x1070.png 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-revenue-1-480x713.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/annual-report\/chart-descriptions-2025\/#revenue\">Fiscal year revenue image description<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"729\" height=\"1083\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-expenditures-1.png\" alt=\"Donut chart showing FY25 expenditures, with 70.5% for programs and smaller portions for development, administration, and university support\" class=\"wp-image-18937\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:undefinedpx\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-expenditures-1.png 729w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-expenditures-1-720x1070.png 720w, https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fy25-expenditures-1-480x713.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/annual-report\/chart-descriptions-2025\/#expenditures\">Fiscal year expenditures image description<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.secondary-nav .menu-item-1769 a:after { opacity: 1; }\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A lot of people want to do something meaningful right now. And the opportunity now is to do this at scale with partners around the world. Ian Owens, Executive Director<a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/annual-report-2025\/\" title=\"ReadCornell Lab Annual Report 2025\">&#8230; Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19248,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_birdpress_hero_toggle":true,"_birdpress_hero_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_image_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_style":"textured-glass right","_birdpress_hero_ratio":"","_birdpress_hero_h1":"","_birdpress_hero_media_id":18752,"_birdpress_hero_media_array_id":[],"_birdpress_hero_media_array":[],"_birdpress_hero_media":0,"_birdpress_hero_video_id":0,"_birdpress_hero_video":0,"_birdpress_hero_youtube":"","_birdpress_hero_content":true,"_birdpress_hero_byline":"","_birdpress_hero_byline_bottom":"","_birdpress_hero_button_link":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/annual-report-2025.pdf","_birdpress_hero_button_text":"Download the Full Report","_birdpress_hero_button_color":"","_birdpress_hero_date":false,"original_guid":"","_birdpress_hide_search":false,"_birdpress_page_width":"page-wider","_birdpress_global_cta":false,"_birdpress_widget_sidebar":"","_birdpress_next_article":0,"_birdpress_next_article_title":"","_birdpress_prev_article":0,"_birdpress_prev_article_title":"","_birdpress_sub_navigation_id":66,"_birdpress_sub_navigation":"Your Impact","_birdpress_sub_navigation_title":false,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation_id":0,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation":"","_birdpress_postType":"both","_birdpress_categoryID":0,"_birdpress_tagID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostTitle":"","_birdpress_menuID":0,"_birdpress_menuName":"","_birdpress_listHeader":"","_birdpress_listLayout":"card-display","_birdpress_listColumns":"","_birdpress_maxItems":12,"_birdpress_listPaginate":true,"_birdpress_displaySort":true,"_birdpress_sortOrder":"DESC","_birdpress_sortBy":"date","_birdpress_listID":"","_birdpress_listClass":"","_birdpress_displayImages":true,"_birdpress_displayCaptions":false,"_birdpress_displayExcerpts":false,"_birdpress_attTop":"","_birdpress_attBottom":"","_birdpress_showLogos":false,"_birdpress_post_logo":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[0],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8178","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8178"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8178\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}