I’d like to welcome new readers to Coffee & Conservation. I am an ornithologist and coffee lover, and I believe that the simple choice of the coffee we choose to buy has the power to help conserve birds, the ecosystems that sustain them, and provide a stable, comfortable income for farmers. It’s wonderful to have an opportunity to reach audiences, especially those coming from Michigan Blue Magazine and the American Birding Association.
I was interviewed for the winter 2016 issue of Michigan Blue for the article “Is coffee for the birds?” (pdf) which covered shade-grown coffee and the connection to birds, and the genesis of Coffee & Conservation. If you are here because the article piqued your curiosity, I hope that reading through this site will introduce you to the issues behind your morning cup and how important it is to purchase sustainably-grown coffee.
The American Birding Association is re-launching their Song Bird Coffee line which will now be certified Smithsonian Bird-Friendly. I believe that birders can be especially influential in supporting and advocating for sustainable coffee. I have found many birders are reluctant to change their coffee-buying habits; I hope the information on this site will make a case for change.
Where to begin? Quick ways to find more information include the User Guide tab at the top of the page, the Featured Content links at the upper left, and the search box at the top right. Listed below are links of particular interest to get you started.
How is coffee grown, and why is it important to birds and other biodiversity?
- What is shade-grown coffee?
- The problem with sun coffee
- Why is shade coffee specifically important to birds?
- Know Your Coffee birds! I write short features on birds — those that nest in North America as well as resident tropical birds — that are especially dependent on shade-grown coffee.
What do all the certifications mean?
- Here is my guide to the common coffee certifications, in a nutshell, focusing on their environmental criteria.
Why should I pay more for certified or environmentally-friendly coffee?
- Farmers have many costs related to certifying their farms so that you can enjoy good coffee that protects the environment.
- If farmers can’t make up those costs, they stop growing coffee organically or under ecological standards.
- And anyway, it really isn’t that expensive. See for yourself: What does a great cup of coffee cost?
Where can I get environmentally-friendly coffee?
- Top retailers of certified Smithsonian Bird-Friendly coffee
- More retailers of certified Bird-Friendly coffee at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center website.
- List of retailers of Birds & Beans coffee, all certified Smithsonian Bird-Friendly
- Some top tips on how to choose coffee, especially if certifications are not available.
