“Green” Gifts that Help the Birds

Consider giving a holiday gift that gives twice—one that’s thoughtful and fun for the recipient and one that also helps birds by supporting conservation, research, and education at theCornell Lab of Ornithology. The Cornell Lab offers a variety of gifts that will delight nature lovers and support conservation of the birds that bring us so much beauty and joy year round.

1. Cornell Lab Membership
A gift that gives back to the birds by supporting the Lab’s nonprofit mission to improve the understanding and protection of birds. As part of your gift, your loved one will receive the Cornell Lab’s Living Bird magazine. $35.

2. The Birds of North America Online
A boundless gift for anyone who loves to learn more about birds. $5 stocking stuffer (30-day subscription) or $42 for an entire year.

3. Birds & Beans Coffee
Your purchase supports organic shade-grown coffee farms in Latin America that give shelter and sustenance to more than 60 species of migratory birds, including thrushes, warblers, and tanagers. $11.70 and up.

4. Singing Books and More
Choose from the Bird Songs Bible, Backyard Bird Songs for East/Central or Western, BirdScapes pop-up book, or The Bird Watching Answer Book. $14.95 and up.

5. Wild Cards: Backyard Birds
A perfect stocking stuffer for ages 6 and up: 36 playing cards and 32-page book. $12.95.

6. Bird Cards That Sing
Open these colorful greeting cards to hear authentic bird sounds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library. $7.99.

7. Celebrate Urban Birds 2012 Calendar
Funny, poignant, and eye-catching images from winners of Celebrate Urban Birds contests. $15.

8. Online Bird Course
Your favorite birder will gain new insights through this five-week online course, “Courtship and Rivalry in Birds.” Next courses begin February 1 and March 14. $295. (Lab members receive a $40 discount when enrolling by phone at866-326-7635).

9. Project FeederWatch
For you or a loved one: An entire winter of bird-watching enjoyment while helping scientists! Kit with instructions, calendar, poster, and more. $15

10. Bird Apps
Find more birds with BirdsEye, enhance your knowledge with theCornell Lab Bird Q&A, or discover 24 North American birds in 4 games for kids with My Bird World.  $1.99 and up.

11. Sound Recording Workshop
Students spend a week learning professional recording techniques. Takes place June 16-23, 2012, at San Francisco State University’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus in the spectacular Tahoe National Forest. $985

12. Spring Field Ornithology
For those living in the Central New York region: Sign up for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s annual Spring Field Ornithology course before December 15 and receive a $10 discount! For more than 30 years this 8-week course has thrilled birders of all skill levels and helped welcome spring songbirds migrating back to the region. Begins March 21, 2012. Learn more and register online at www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo.