Listing of Archived Bulletins

BIRDS AS ART ON-LINE NOTE: APRIL 23, 2001

           

    “ON A WING AND A PRAYER – MIGRATORY BIRDS OF THE AMERICAS” CELEBRATES CANON’S COMMITMENT TO BIRD CONSERVATION

Photo Exhibit Calls Attention to Research by Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, The Nature Conservancy

 WASHINGTON, April 26, 2001  The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Canon, U.S.A., Inc., and the Nature Conservancy take great pleasure in announcing the opening of “On a Wing and a Prayer – Migratory Birds of the Americas.”  This exciting exhibit of 64 stunning photographs by internationally acclaimed nature photographer Arthur Morris celebrates the diversity, adaptations, and sheer wonder of migratory birds of the Americas. 

“On A Wing And A Prayer” also highlights the importance of bird conservation and habitat protection, the focus of The Nature Conservancy’s “Wings of the Americas” program” and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC)   -- two leading conservation agencies working to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of migratory birds through research, conservation, education, and training.

 “Wings of the Americas” is a four-year-old Nature Conservancy bird habitat conservation program made possible by Canon, U.S.A.  The program’s mission  is to protect critical habitats for bird species throughout the western hemisphere that are at risk because the lands that sustain them are disappearing.  “Wings of the Americas” focuses the energies of the Conservancy and its partners – including government entities, such as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, local businesses and other conservation groups – on conserving habitats necessary to the long-term survival of both migratory and resident bird species.  The program draws on the Conservancy’s strengths in science and habitat protection, as well as on its capacity as a leading international conservation organization.

 “The Nature Conservancy has done a tremendous job protecting thousands of acres of forests and nature preserves that shelter migratory birds,” said Steve Rautenberg, vice president and general manager of corporate communications for Canon U.S.A.  “Canon is proud to have helped The Conservancy ensure the long-term survival of so many beautiful threatened birds.”

 "We are grateful to Canon for its ten years of partnership and encouragement," said Steven McCormick, president and chief executive officer of The Nature Conservancy. "Canon’s generous contributions have enabled the Wings of the Americas program to launch innovative bird conservation initiatives, such as Prairie Wings, which spans three countries to protect habitat for grassland birds across their entire annual range."

 Since 1990, Canon U.S.A. has donated more than $10.3 million in funding and equipment to The Nature Conservancy for “Wings” and other programs.  Canon’s imaging systems expertise has enabled The Nature Conservancy to employ state-of-the-art digital and single-lens-reflex cameras, video camcorders, scanners, projectors, image-stabilizing binoculars and printers to record, transmit and catalogue important information about endangered birds and their habitats. 

 The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) combines research, education, training, and policy analysis to foster throughout the western hemisphere greater understanding, appreciation, and protection of migratory birds and the grand phenomenon of bird migration. Its emphasis is on studying and understanding the causes of declines in migratory bird populations and their habitats before irreversible changes occur.  From the Northwest Territories and Siberia to Mexico and Guatemala, and from Cleveland, Ohio, to Panama City, Panama, SMBC has influenced habitat management actions and helped to raise public awareness about habitat conservation. In the years ahead, SMBC research, education, and policy efforts will continue to provide critical information on, and realistic approaches toward, the conservation of migratory birds and the wildlife and plants that share their habitats. 

 “On A Wing And A Prayer,” assembled by exhibition curator Miles Roberts, will be on display through April, 2002, at the Visitors Center, Amazonia Science Gallery and Bird House at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.  An original Canon “Explorer of Light” photographer, Arthur Morris has written four books.  His most recent, The Art of Bird Photography: The Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques, has quickly become a classic in the world of nature photography.  Morris’s photographs have also appeared in National Geographic, Natural History, Audubon, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Birder’s World, Wild Bird, Nature Photographer, Outdoor Photographer and countless other magazines as well as in hundreds of books and calendars published around the world.  His first major exhibit hung at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, during the summer of 1999.

 The National Zoo is located in the 3001 block of Connecticut Avenue, N.W  Admission is free. Paid parking is limited.  The Zoo is on Metro’s Red Line, a 10-minute walk from Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams-Morgan.  Hours: Grounds-6 AM to 8 PM (May 1 to Sept. 15) and 6 AM to 6 PM (Sept. 16 to April 30). Animal buildings-10 AM to 6 PM (May 1 to Sept. 15) and 10 AM to 4:30 PM (Sept. 16 to April 30). Closed December 25. For information, call 202-673-4800 (recording) or 202-673-4717 (voice).

Canon is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc. of Japan (NYSE:CAJ), is a top patent holder of imaging technologies. Canon works to protect the environment through its award-winning Clean Earth Campaign, which oversees development of energy-efficient products, equipment remanufacturing and refurbishment, workplace conservation and recycling and the protection of endangered species and their habitats.  Canon’s environmental projects include:

·       Collecting and recycling more than 40 million Canon-manufactured toner cartridges used in copiers, laser printers and facsimile machines

·       Providing three-year education scholarships to doctoral students whose innovative research addresses scientific problems critical to the national park system

·       Underwriting since 1990 the award-winning PBS series NATURE, the leading public television program on nature and wildlife

The company’s comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices, digital and analog copiers (color and black and white) printers, scanners, facsimile machines, camcorders, cameras and lenses; semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment.  Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central, South America and the Caribbean.

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