coffee for the birds
TRANSCRIPT
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
Everyone likes their coffee and coffee is good for your health as well. But many of us are concerned about the environment, global warming and the loss of species.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
Birds are especially vulnerable to deforestation and here is where coffee comes into the picture.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
When large farming operations cut down trees to plant sun-tolerant coffee they remove habitat for birds. A thoughtful article from the Taos News looks at coffee for birds.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
For sure, the bright scarlet package with a picture of a colorful macaw soaring upward and smack into the words COSTA RICA catches my eye. So I grab the bag of coffee from the supermarket shelf. But before I plunk it into my shopping cart, something tells me to check out the label.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
. I read “whole bean” and “dark roast level.” I turn the bag over and find the part that might have the info I’m looking for. I find a sustainability statement. Sounds good, but I want to make sure that the coffee I’m about to buy comes from coffee fields friendly - or at least not hostile - to the birds I’ve been enjoying all summer long here in Northern New Mexico.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
The author goes on to point out that many birds that spend their summers in the USA spend their winters in Mexico, Central America and even South America.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
They live in mountain forests in these regions, the same places that coffee is grown. As sun-tolerant varieties of coffee have been developed, coffee farmers have cut down upland tropical forests and planted coffee.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
They may have planted the occasional plantain to help prevent wholesale soil erosion but have removed the habitat for local and migratory birds. The question is, if you want to limit your coffee purchases to growers who maintain bird-friendly habitats how do you proceed?
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
The author mentions Rainforest Alliance, USDA Certified, shade grown, Fair Trade and sustainable and asks “what does it all mean?” In the end it turns out that the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has the strictest certification followed by Rainforest Alliance for coffee farming that is kindest to the birds.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has a Bird Friendly Coffee page on their web site.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
O The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has developed the only 100% organic and shade-grown coffee certification available: Bird Friendly.
O That's right-no other bag guarantees that every bean is produced organically and under high-quality shade. Our seal of approval ensures tropical "agroforests" are preserved and migratory birds find a healthy haven when they travel from your backyard to those faraway farms producing the beans you so enjoy every morning.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
The point is that USDA certified and other certifications do not guarantee that the forest habitat was preserved while the Bird Friend Coffee certification does.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
Rainforest Alliance
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
This is the second reliable certification if you want coffee for the birds. Rainforest Alliance coffee certification requires that coffee farmers follow strict standards.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
The Rainforest Alliance works with coffee farmers to improve their livelihoods and the health and well-being of their communities. Coffee farms or groups of smallholder farmers that earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal are audited annually against a rigorous standard with detailed environmental, social and economic criteria.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
These criteria are designed to protect biodiversity, deliver financial benefits to farmers, and foster a culture of respect for workers and local communities. Rainforest Alliance certification also promotes decent living and working conditions for
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/
If you specifically want great coffee for the birds, look for Bird Friendly Coffee or the Rainforest Alliance seal.
http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1507/coffee-for-the-birds/