Carl Zeiss Sponsors the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
For release: April 2, 2013
Ithaca, NY— Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, LLC, based in North Chesterfield, Virginia, is sponsoring several programs within the Cornell Lab of Ornithology over the coming year. The company makes binoculars, spotting scopes, and other products used by birders. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership-based institution devoted to improving the understanding and protection of birds and other wildlife and is located in Ithaca, New York.
“Carl Zeiss feels strongly that by partnering with the Cornell Lab we can provide meaningful support for their ability to carry out their research, conservation, and education work around the world,” says Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sport Optics USA. “The Cornell Lab is making a difference for birds, and from the highest levels of our company we're committed to promoting birding, so there's a great collaboration.”
Zeiss sponsorship supports the Lab's biggest annual conservation fundraiser, and arguably the most interesting way to raise money--pledging support based on how many species the Lab's birding team can identify by sight or sound in a 24-hour period. Zeiss' support will include providing optics and covering expenses for the Cornell Lab’s Team Sapsucker when they return to Texas in April in an attempt to top their own North American record for the number of species identified in 24 hours (262 species). The team raised nearly a quarter-million dollars through pledges and donations last year. With added support from Zeiss, all of the funds raised this year can go directly into education and conservation programs at the Lab.
Zeiss is also supporting the Lab’s annual Young Birder’s Event aimed at nurturing some of the nation’s top young birders and cultivating future leaders in conservation and ornithology. Zeiss is also providing spotting scopes for the Lab’s Visitor Center.
“The Cornell Lab expects and demands excellence in everything we do,” says Dr. John Fitzpatrick, the Lab’s executive director, “so we are gratified to have this close relationship with Zeiss, makers of truly top quality optics.” www.birds.cornell.edu
Carl Zeiss has a long history of supporting the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, providing equipment for Ivory-billed Woodpecker expeditions in Louisiana and Arkansas and other field research projects. www.zeiss.com/sports
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Media Contacts:
Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab, (607) 243-2137, pel27@cornell.edu
Richard Moncrief, Carl Zeiss Sport Optics, (804) 425-8455, richard.moncrief@zeiss.com |
