WeLoveBirds.org Site Social Networking Site Launched 2-11-2010

For release: February 11, 2010
WeLoveBirds.org: Just in Time for Valentine’s DayNRDC and Cornell Lab Launch New Social Networking Site
for People Who Love Birds

New York, NY–The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology today announced the launch of WeLoveBirds.org, an interactive online community for bird enthusiasts. On Valentine’s Day-or any day of the year-WeLoveBirds.org offers a free and open social network of people who are passionate about birds; access to information on birds and birding from a leading ornithology lab; and an opportunity to make a positive difference for birds and their habitats.

“Given the many threats to birds, they need all the help they can get,” said Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, NRDC senior attorney. “WeLoveBirds.org gives bird-lovers a place to share information and make a difference.”

WeLoveBirds.org will feature information on more than 500 species of birds, bird news, notes on scientific discoveries, and an open platform for bird enthusiasts of all levels to contribute their own stories, photos, birding observations, questions, and more.

The site represents a first partnership between NRDC and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, nationally recognized conservation organizations that will offer NRDC’s expertise in policy and advocacy and the Cornell Lab’s authoritative bird research, online birding resources, and citizen-science programs.

“WeLoveBirds.org is a place where birders can connect with one another around the issues that they care about,” said Miyoko Chu, director of Communications at the Cornell Lab. “It’s a place where they can also easily tap into a wealth of resources to enhance their enjoyment of birds and take their love of bird watching to the next level by helping birds through citizen-science projects or other actions.”

The WeLoveBirds.org launch coincides with the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual event that runs from February 12-15, 2010, and tallies more than 11 million birds during the 4-day count. Itis hosted by the Cornell Lab, the National Audubon Society, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.

Contacts:

* Josh Mogerman, NRDC, (312) 651-7909, (773) 531-5359, mogerman@NRDC.org
* Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137,pel27@cornell.edu  

TheNatural Resources Defense Council   is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of birds. Founded in 1915, the Cornell Lab engages more than 200,000 citizen-science participants in recording their bird observations for science and conservation.