Shade Grown Coffee

Come explore the intricate connection between winter and summer habitats of many of our common backyard birds! From summer nesting in North America, migratory birds travel thousands of miles to winter homes in Central and South America, much of it in the overstory trees on coffee plantations. But in parts of Latin America, the canopy trees have been cut down to make “modern” sun coffee farms, meaning birds lose a home and the world loses another refuge for biological diversity. With the encouragement of farmers’ cooperatives throughout the coffee growing regions of Latin America, many farmers are able to grow shade grown coffee as part of the organic and fair trade movements, knowing that the coffee drinking public is becoming educated about the importance of growing coffee as it is supposed to be grown. And the birds that live there year round, as well as migratory birds from North America, have habitat in which they can thrive. Drinking shade grown coffee is something that we all can do to make a difference! Donations to Atlanta Audubon Society accepted.