Ithaca, N.Y.— Celestron, a leading sport optics manufacturer based in Torrance, California, has partnered with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as an official sponsor to promote the hobby of birding. The Cornell Lab is a membership-based institution devoted to research and education focused on birds and other wildlife. With Celestron's acclaimed lines of binoculars and spotting scopes gaining popularity among birders, the partnership will enable the Cornell Lab and Celestron to work toward the common goal of introducing birds to a broader audience.
Outreach to children is a key component of the sponsorship. This is the second year Celestron has sponsored significant benefits for nature educators. The "Celestron Binocular Giveaway for Educators" invites teachers to enter to win classroom sets of binoculars. The model teachers receive is the Nature DX 8x42, recently named the best binocular under $200 in the Cornell Lab's binocular review. To be eligible, teachers submit science projects they are working on with their students to the website for the Lab's BirdSleuth curriculum, www.birdsleuth.org. Celestron is also sponsoring professional development at conferences and teacher training.
"Through this partnership with the Cornell Lab, Celestron seeks to attract more people to the hobby of birding and the science of ornithology. The participation–especially by young people–in these activities and Cornell's citizen-science programs embodies the spirit of discovery and our hope for the future," said Celestron CEO Dave Anderson.
"The Cornell Lab expects and demands excellence in everything we do," added Dr. John Fitzpatrick, the Lab's Executive Director. "We are pleased to have this relationship with Celestron, a company that is taking an active interest in bringing more people into the enjoyment of birds."
Celestron has also provided 30 pairs of binoculars to support eco-tourism through birding in Papua New Guinea. The Cornell Lab has highlighted the region's spectacular birds-of-paradise through scientific and documentary work.
For Celestron customers interested in learning more about birding, the Cornell Lab will provide free access to their introductory course, "Become a Better Birder: Size and Shape," produced in conjunction with eCornell. The course, normally a $29 value, will be available exclusively to Celestron's Facebook community and email list subscribers.
#
Media Contacts:
Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu
Michelle Meskill, Celestron, LLC, (310) 328-9560 x205, mmeskill@celestron.com
