Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Macaulay Library: A Legacy for the World

We often talk about 'biodiversity', and some people may clearly define it. But as nature interpreters know, truly understanding something often requires more than a definition – you need to see it, to experience it. If you don't see it, you can miss the tangible reality of what biodiversity truly encompasses.

Interpreting Nature: A Class Perspective

Even for me, someone actively learning about plants and nature around the world, I have to admit I didn't fully grasp the sheer dimension of biodiversity until I visited the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and its Macaulay Library last week. Here at Cornell University in Ithaca, I'm taking a fascinating course called Museum and Park Interpretation. Our recent assignment required us to visit the Lab on Sapsucker Woods Road to evaluate how its exhibits and information systems are planned and designed. The goal? To see how they effectively connect people – kids, students, researchers, everyone – to fully understand and appreciate nature, especially the world of animals, including birds and others, fostering understanding and the motivation to protect it.

Evaluating the Lab's approach firsthand was mind-blowing. Seeing the intentional design, how information is presented through interactive exhibits and thoughtful displays to genuinely engage such a wide range of visitors, was a powerful lesson in effective nature interpretation itself. Founded back in 1915 by ornithology pioneer Arthur A. Allen, the Lab has over a century of experience fulfilling its mission: to interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.   

Discovering Biodiversity's True Scale

Beyond the class evaluation, however, this visit triggered a profound personal realization about biodiversity's scale. My world often revolves around plants, but experiencing the Lab's focus revealed the incredible, vast diversity within birds – something I hadn't fully comprehended before. Learning about the Macaulay Library – the world's largest and oldest scientific archive of natural history audio and video – was eye-opening. Holding more than 175,000 audio recordings covering 75% of the world’s bird species, plus over 50,000 video clips of thousands of species, alongside growing archives for insects, fish, frogs, and mammals, it makes biodiversity audible and visible to anyone. Hearing stories of the researchers who dedicated their lives to building this legacy of knowledge makes it even more impactful.

Behind the Scenes: A Library of Life

What many visitors might not realize is that the Lab's building, the Imogene Powers Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity, also houses the distinct Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates (CUMV). This vital research collection serves as a library of life through time, containing vast specimen holdings, including an astonishing 1.2 to 1.3 million fish specimens, alongside extensive collections of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. While primarily for research, the presence of such comprehensive collections underscores the depth of biodiversity study centered here and shifts the concept from abstract to stunningly tangible.

A Global Legacy in Action

The Lab’s impact truly extends globally. Through groundbreaking initiatives like the eBird platform, it connects over a million users worldwide in citizen science. Recent studies confirm this data is robust and reliable, helping scientists answer critical questions about migration, population trends, and environmental change. This work transforms data into knowledge, inspires action, and demonstrates the Lab's role as a vital, living legacy for conservation.

Why a Visit Matters

This is why the Cornell Lab of Ornithology stands as more than just a place to learn about birds; it's essential for understanding and protecting the full tapestry of life. My conclusion is deeply felt: If you are in Ithaca, studying at Cornell, or visiting the region, make a visit to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology essential. Go beyond definitions. Go see and feel the tangible dimension of biodiversity. Explore the Macaulay Library’s recordings, learn about the CUMV's role, and witness how research, education, and community science converge. Inspired by this experience and my studies, I feel ready and eager to help others create effective interpretations – whether for texts, talks, or community spaces – that connect people more deeply with nature and contribute to its protection. A visit here truly changes how you perceive the natural world, leaving you with new knowledge, inspiration, and a sense of responsibility for our planet’s future.

1. Cornell Lab of Ornithology official website – for the Lab’s mission, history, global impact, and its role in research, education, and citizen science145.

2. Macaulay Library – for being the world’s largest and oldest scientific archive of wildlife audio and video recordings, and its use for research and education2.

3. eBird – for its status as the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, connecting over a million users globally and building a massive database of bird observations35.

4. Our Story, Cornell Lab of Ornithology – for the Lab’s founding in 1915 by Arthur A. Allen, its growth, and its ongoing contributions to conservation and public engagement4.

5. Wikipedia: Cornell Lab of Ornithology – for details about the Lab’s facilities, the Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, the Museum of Vertebrates, and the breadth of its collections and programs5.