Choose your Coffee Carefully!

YOUR COFFEE CHOICE CAN SAVE BIRDS AND FORESTS

It is a beautiful thing when farmers can thrive farming under forest canopy that houses birds that migrate from the United States to Central and South America. As a bonus, coffee grown under forest canopy is more flavorful.

Forests were cleared beginning in the 1970s to grow coffee for higher yields in the sun. What was sacrificed in addition to the forest was flavor. Additionally, sun grown beans needed more chemicals for disease and insect protection.

From the 1970s to the 1990s, over 60% of the Columbian coffee forest lands were cleared for sun-grown coffee varieties. There is a great movement afoot to help the small farmers thrive by growing great tasting specialty coffees under the forest canopy.

You can help this movement grow by choosing your coffee carefully to save birds and forests. Simply look for the BIRD FRIENDLY designation.

This is great news for those of us who are bird watchers and coffee drinkers. Our support can help birds and farmers a world away in Central and South America.

The birds that migrate from the U.S. To Columbia are more than 40 species including warblers, orioles and tanagers. We see these birds in the breeding season, but they Winter in areas where they must find high quality habitat.

Practices that farmers use can have a profound impact on these birds. The canopy trees provide insects, nectar and fruit for resident and migratory birds.

Your choice not only protects birds and forests, but it provides for family farmers and communities. Look for the BIRD FRIENDLY designation for your cup of coffee.

Bird Friendly coffee is grown on farms certified by scientists from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. The coffee is triple certified- organic, fair trade and strict requirements for mature canopy cover and the type of forest in which the coffee is grown. This coffee is assured to support bird habitat.

Tri County Wildlife Care, a local non-profit organization founded in 1994, is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of local wildlife and helping our community live in balance with nature. They envision a world where people and wildlife thrive together. For more information, please call 209-283-3245 or visit www.pawspartners.org

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Photo courtesy of Frank R. Perez

Help support Tri County Wildlife Care
(all contributions are tax deductible)