Who is Cinnamon Dornsife?

Cinnamon Dornsife is a well-known name in the bird watching community. She is a philanthropist, conservationist, and bird enthusiast who has made a significant impact on the world of bird watching. Cinnamon is the founder of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library, which houses the largest collection of bird sounds and videos in the world. She is also the founder of the Dornsife Center for Marine and Wetland Studies at the University of Charleston, South Carolina, which focuses on environmental education and research. Cinnamon’s contributions to the bird watching community have earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2015 Audubon Women in Conservation Award.

Early Life and Education

Cinnamon Dornsife was born in 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up spending summers on the Delaware Bay, where she developed her love for birds and nature. Cinnamon attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English. After graduation, she worked as a newspaper reporter and then went on to earn her Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Charleston, South Carolina. Cinnamon’s education and early experiences shaped her passion for bird conservation and environmentalism.

Career Highlights

Cinnamon Dornsife’s career has been focused on bird conservation and environmentalism. In 1980, she founded the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library, which has since become the largest archive of bird sounds and videos in the world. The Macaulay Library is an essential resource for bird watchers, researchers, and conservationists, providing a vast collection of bird sounds and videos that can be used for research, education, and advocacy. Cinnamon has also made significant contributions to the University of Charleston, South Carolina, founding the Dornsife Center for Marine and Wetland Studies in 1993. The center focuses on environmental education and research and has become a leading institution in the study and conservation of coastal ecosystems.

Cinnamon’s contributions to bird conservation and environmentalism have been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions. In addition to receiving the Audubon Women in Conservation Award in 2015, she has also been awarded the National Conservation Achievement Award, the Conservation Merit Award, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International.

Philanthropic Contributions

Cinnamon Dornsife’s philanthropic contributions have been focused on bird conservation, environmentalism, and education. In addition to founding the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library and the Dornsife Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, she has also made significant donations to numerous other organizations. Cinnamon has donated to the American Bird Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, the Charleston Audubon Society, and the National Audubon Society, among others.

Cinnamon’s philanthropy has also extended to education. She has donated to the University of Charleston, South Carolina, establishing the Cinnamon and Stuart Dornsife Endowed Scholarship Fund for the School of Sciences and Mathematics. The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing degrees in environmental studies, marine biology, and other related fields.

Personal Life and Interests

Cinnamon Dornsife’s personal life has been shaped by her love for nature and the outdoors. She is an avid bird watcher and has traveled the world to see and study birds. Cinnamon has also been involved in numerous environmental organizations, serving on the boards of the American Bird Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, and the South Carolina Aquarium. In addition to her philanthropic work, Cinnamon enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family.

Legacy and Impact

Cinnamon Dornsife’s legacy and impact on the bird watching community and environmentalism cannot be overstated. Her founding of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library has provided an essential resource for bird watchers, researchers, and conservationists around the world. Additionally, her establishment of the Dornsife Center for Marine and Wetland Studies has contributed significantly to the study and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Cinnamon’s philanthropic contributions to bird conservation, environmentalism, and education have also made a significant impact on numerous organizations and individuals. Her love for nature and the outdoors has inspired many others to become involved in bird watching and conservation.