A one-of-a-kind premium coffee called "Café Audubon" came out this fall. What makes National Audubon's new coffee unique is that it's certified shade-grown, using criteria provided by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and certified organic, with both certifications being done by an independent, accredited inspector. That means that you can be sure that all Audubon coffee is grown in the traditional way -- under the natural shade of the rainforest canopy and without the use of synthetic pesticides.

Traditional shade-coffee plantations provide natural wintering habitat for many migratory songbirds, including a number of WatchList species, as well as a diversity of other wildlife, insects and plants. WatchList species that use tropical-region shade-coffee plantations during our winter season include the cerulean, golden-winged, hermit, and Kentucky warblers, the painted bunting, and the wood thrush.

Shade plantations, in addition to being distinctly more bird-friendly, produce a high-quality, great-tasting cup of coffee by slowing the maturation of the coffee bean on the plant, allowing the bean to develop better flavor. Every bean of the National Audubon Society's new coffee will be certified shade-grown organic coffee. That's the good news.

The bad news is that more and more coffee growers have been converting their farms to 'sun' plantations, where the rainforest is cut down to make way for more coffee trees. In addition to removing vital habitat for many migratory songbirds, these 'sun' farms require extensive use of synthetic pesticides, produce water pollution, and cause erosion of fragile tropical soil.

Coffee drinkers can now make the choice to protect bird habitats, our natural environment and traditional farm communities, while still enjoying a great cup of coffee. Buying only certified shade-grown coffee will help ensure that the warblers, thrushes and other birds we see and hear today will still be around the next time you're enjoying your morning coffee.

In addition to helping protect our environment through sustainable agriculture, Café Audubon will generate royalties to help fund NAS and Smithsonian Neotropical Migratory Bird Center programs to protect wild birds and their habitats.

There are many ways that chapters can support this important movement to promote shade-grown coffee (also see related article, "Chapter Says: Buy Bird-friendly Brews!"). Chapters can use Café Audubon as a fundraising tool by purchasing it wholesale and selling it at chapter events. Ask local retailers to carry shade coffee, such as Café Audubon, in their stores. Serve Café Audubon at chapter functions; ask local coffee shops, restaurants and hotels to serve only shade coffee. Include information about the shade-grown issue and shade coffees in your newsletters. Or, simply spread the word to friends, family and co-workers: save a songbird; sip a cup of shade-grown!

Note 99/06/09: Café Audubon is not available at this time.

For More Info, Contact: Sarah Comis, Product Licensing Director, NAS-DC.