Celestron Becomes Cornell Lab of Ornithology Sponsor
OutdoorHub 06.04.14
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 birding to a broader audience.
Outreach to schoolchildren is a key component of the sponsorship-and it’s already off to a strong start. The “Celestron Binocular Giveaway for Educators” allows teachers to enter to win 1 of 6 classroom sets of 20 binoculars. 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. The giveaway has received an enthusiastic response from teachers and continues through November 2014.
“By partnering with the Cornell Lab, Celestron has a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of naturalists and birders,” 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 the birding community and in bird conservation.”
Celestron will also sponsor a series of webinars on birding led by the Lab’s Dr. Kevin McGowan. The lecture series will include 10 free lessons on identifying shorebirds and waterfowl. During the courses, beginning birders will have a chance to win the Celestron Nature DX 8×42, recently named the best binocular under $200 in Cornell Lab’s binocular review.
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.
