Cornell Exhibits Show Species Coming Back From the Brink

Cornell University is opening three exhibits that tell a story conservationists want everyone to hear: saving endangered species is possible, and it's happening right now.

The exhibits, launching April 16 at Mann Library, feature historical materials, photographs, and actual museum specimens. They explore everything from exotic species on distant continents to birds that visit backyard feeders every morning.

"To me the important thing is that there is hope," says Mike Webster, director of the Macaulay Library. "The exhibit shows heartbreaking stories of birds that have been lost, never to be seen or heard again, but also stories of birds that were teetering on the brink but have come back."

The three displays each tackle a different angle on biodiversity. "Going to Gone" explores Earth's biodiversity loss and what people can do about it. "Keeping Common Birds Common" focuses on local habitat protection at Cornell Botanic Gardens and beyond. "Last Call" examines bird decline and extinction threats using specimens from the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates.

Paul Jensen, who co-curated "Going to Gone," wants to change how people think about endangered species. "Through this exhibit, I hope we can change the perception of endangerment and extinction as only affecting exotic, faraway species to something that also happens right in the places we call home," he says.

The Ripple Effect

The exhibits aren't just about looking at the past. They're designed to get people involved in conservation today.

An opening celebration on April 16 features Cornell Lab of Ornithology researcher Jordan Boersma speaking about "Finding Hope in the Search for Lost Birds." On April 26, Douglas Tallamy will deliver a lecture titled "Keeping Our Common Birds Common."

Wildlife photographer Marie Read contributed images showing that conservation success happens in familiar places. Sonja Skelly, who co-curated the birds exhibit, believes combining art and science creates more impact. "When you combine the two, you can reach more people more effectively," she says.

Some museum specimens carry heavy meaning. "Sadly, in some cases our museum specimens are the only physical evidence that remains of species that are now completely extinct," notes Irby Lovette, director of the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates. But those specimens also serve as powerful teachers about what's at stake.

The exhibits will run throughout spring and summer 2026, giving visitors months to discover both the fragility and resilience of the natural world around them.