The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History is the official institutional steward of Roger Tory Peterson’s body of work and his enduring legacy. It is our mission to successfully foster understanding, appreciation and protection of the natural world in the spirit of Dr. Peterson’s many accomplishments. RTPI provides a powerful synergy of Art, Education and Conservation that is positively focused on natural history and the environment. Our message is greatly amplified by the meaningful connections between these three organizational ‘pillars’ and is founded in the creative and innovative body of work by Dr. Peterson that advanced environmental awareness and protection throughout the 20th century. In this spirit we continue to develop and implement meaningful nature-oriented Art, Education, and Conservation initiatives that open people’s eyes to the natural world around them – initiatives that are focused on place but are connected through a global framework. Roger Tory Peterson was the preeminent American naturalist who illustrated and chronicled the natural world to the public in the 20th century. Over a long career that began with nature study in the seventh grade in Jamestown, New York, he observed, recorded and published for lay audiences the incredible beauty and diversity of plants and animals from North America and around the world. The publication of his “A Field Guide to The Birds” in 1934 fostered a massive and worldwide movement connecting human beings with their natural surroundings. RTPI holds and preserves Dr. Peterson’s lifetime work of writings, drawings, paintings, photography, films and artifacts in an award-winning center in Jamestown, New York. Visitors to the RTPI headquarters building enjoy nature art and photography exhibits, a Nature Store, a 27-acre outdoor setting with trails, birdwatching opportunities, and more.