For more than 12 years, eBird has been available as a place for birders, researchers, and conservationists to submit, explore, and download data on birds. During this period, eBirders submitted more than 263 million observations. These sightings span every country in the world, and to date they have been used in over 100 peer-reviewed publications. In the last year, more than 1.7 million people have visited the website to explore these data. eBird is a free resource open to anybody who wishes to use it. We are asking those who have the means to support eBird to help, and we’ve made it even easier with our new monthly giving program, through which you can become an eBird Supporter. This program provides participants with access to new eBird developments as an eBird Beta Tester, and it also includes a Cornell Lab membership—providing you with access to Living Bird, our award-winning, members-only magazine. Most importantly, you’ll know you are making a difference. We believe in this program, which is why we each of us is also an eBird Supporter; we hope you’ll join us.
Here are some benefits of becoming an eBird Supporter.
eBird Beta Tester
When major new pieces of functionality are developed for eBird, there is a beta testing period. This can range from a few weeks to several months before public release, during which our beta testers help test and refine the features. This was true for the eBird Mobile app that came out in June, and is currently true for our next major release: the ability to add images and audio directly to your eBird checklists. Just drag and drop into the checklist—no more outside links! You can see a preview of what this looks like here. When you become an eBird Supporter, you’ll be able to use and test this new functionality as it is being developed, and your feedback will help us to provide the best eBird experience possible for the public release.
Cornell Lab Membership
eBird is one of many great projects at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. By supporting eBird and the Cornell Lab through your monthly giving, you’ll be helping the entire Lab further our mission—to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. You will also receive an exclusive calendar for your donation, and a subscription to Living Bird Magazine, our award-winning magazine that is only available to Cornell Lab members.
Our Best eBird Possible
In addition to the benefits listed here, you also get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re supporting a project that you care about—helping build a culture of philanthropy worldwide. We know that there are tens of thousands of eBirders across the globe who are passionate not only about birds, but about eBird. We are too. Your support will help develop and sustain eBird, allowing us to provide the best eBird that we can—for you, and for the birds. Thank you. Become an eBird Supporter now.