The New CRP Facility
Dreams really can come true.
October 22, 2005
Section: Local
Edition: 1
Page: 1B
Staff
Cornell dedicates new raptor facility
By ANNE JU
Journal Staff
ITHACA - Eagles, owls and other birds of prey at Cornell University have a shiny new home.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences officials dedicated the new Cornell Raptor Facility at an afternoon gathering Friday. A project four years coming, the new building on Game Farm Road across from Stephenson Road replaced the old Hawk Barn at Sapsucker Woods, razed in 2001 to make way for expansion of the university's Lab of Ornithology.
Friday's guest of honor was Esther Schiff Bondareff, for whom the new facility is named along with her late husband, Daniel N. Bondareff. Both Cornell alumni and benefactors, the couple was honored in time for Esther Bondareff's 90th birthday this year.
Bondareff said she was "overwhelmed" and "excited" at the occasion of having a raptor facility named after her.
"It has humbled us, really," she said.
Formally established in 1993, the Cornell Raptor Program has roots that date back to the 1970s, when the university began major conservation efforts for the predatory bird species.
According to Raptor Program Director John Parks, about 70 students are involved in the program, which includes working with and training the birds, studying the ecology of raptors, and educational outreach in public schools and other venues. Primarily, the program focuses on captive breeding of injured birds, Parks said.
About 45 raptors are now housed at the new facility, which is similar to the old one but better designed to meet federal regulations. It is also more accessible to students, Parks said.
College of Agriculture Dean Susan Henry told the small crowd gathered Friday that alumnus Jay Hyman was responsible for getting the building named for the Bondareffs. To that end, Hyman coordinated financial donations in Esther Bondareff's honor.
According Ben Davis in Cornell's development office, more than $200,000 went toward the new raptor facility project, with the most recent phase of fund-raising having taken place over the past six to seven months.
Henry listed many of Esther Bondareff's leadership roles as a Cornell alumnus, including being vice chairwoman of the College of Agriculture capital campaign committee, reunion chairwoman for the Class of 1937, and the first female president of the Cornell Club of Washington. She described Bondareff as "a very great friend to Cornell," and also, "devoted to the care and protection of animals."
Invited guests Friday got to tour the new facility, and gaze at some of the raptors that will call the building's aviaries home, including a golden eagle and a Eurasian eagle owl.
Contact: aju@ithacajournal.com
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