Bird Friendly Coffee Makes a Difference
Coffee With a Mission
Reiko Piekarski, Director of Coffee Programs | Fortuna Enterprises, LLC
Spring marks a time when we all emerge from the cold wintery months. Flowers blossom bringing a colorful landscape back to life along with the wildlife activity. Accompanied by this reawakening of nature around us is the serenade of birds. I pay more attention to these feathered friends with a greater appreciation for their presence and how important it is for us to be stewards in taking care of these tiny flying creatures.
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Last year we directed our focus to Understanding Coffee Certifications where we mentioned the Smithsonian Bird Friendly program. As Fortuna continues to work with the North Carolina Asheboro Zoo we realized the common ground where coffee and the preservation of wildlife intersected. We learned through the efforts of the Bird Friendly program the importance of education, research, and support aligned with the transparent principles of the coffee industry. More than 75% of coffee production has little to no effort in conservation of forests which is devasting the habitats for birds and other wildlife. For the industry to continue forward we knew Fortuna had to find a place where we could be a part of the force for change. This year we are proud to announce Fortuna Coffee is now recognized as a certified Bird Friendly coffee roaster. With our contributions to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Conservation, we are now involved in a collective alongside other coffee and cocoa suppliers to help fund and support scientific research to protect these vital habitats.
Markers for Healthy Ecosystems
Most are familiar with the phrase, “Canary in the coal mine” but the significance of the role these birds had in protecting and alerting still holds today. Birds, much like frogs, are a marker for the overall health of the habitat they live in. The Bird Friendly program developed in the late 1990’s as a certified organic, shade grown coffee standard. The production practices support not only the conservation of birds but also the health of the environment and the livelihoods of small-scale producers who share these forests. Bird friendly habitats ensure a diverse coverage of flora, varying heights of trees, and a rich biodiversity which creates the optimal environment for fauna to thrive. The stringent guidelines for the certification also offer the small farmers a premium for their coffee or cocoa productions because these agricultural standards are critical assets to fighting the changing climate. Read more about the Ecological Benefits of Shade-grown Coffee on the Smithsonian’s National Zoo website.
What Can We Do to Be More Bird Friendly?
The Smithsonian lists 7 Simple actions to live bird friendly. These actions are as simple as turning the lights off at night and treating windows to keep the birds around the yard safe. Up to 1 billion birds are estimated to perish after flying into closed windows. Additionally, migratory birds flying at night are more drawn by city lights which increase the risk of collisions into buildings. Consider keeping feline friends indoors to help boost the bird population. Cat natural instincts are to hunt, and they are estimated to kill roughly 2.4 million birds each year. This is considered the number 1 human cause for the loss of birds next to destroyed habitat. Overall, start paying more attention to the activity in the yard. Take notes of the types of birds spotted on a regular basis and record the ones which are passing through. Collecting data on these birds helps. If you have a green thumb, start planting native plants to help provide shelter, food, and nesting places for migratory birds. You can learn more about native plants to plant around in the yard by visiting the Audubon Society’s page on native plants. When putting up bird feeders make sure they are kept clean and have access to clean water for drinking and bathing. Above all, be sure to avoid using pesticides and other chemicals in the yard as these may be toxic to birds and other wildlife. We also need to be mindful of single-use plastics which are detrimental to all creatures large and small globally. With millions of metric tons of plastics accumulating in landfills and in the environment across the globe we need to actively do our part in Most importantly, consider purchasing coffee with the Bird Friendly logo on the label. Kick off supporting the cause by visiting Fortuna Coffee to order a bag of the Bird Friendly Colombia by Eneil Bayona and participate in the initiative to protect bird and coffee habitats. These certifications and initiatives take a collective of individuals throughout the value chain to make strides in change. We are excited to be actively participating in this effort and developing a more conscious understanding of our impacts. So, pick up a bag of Bird Friendly coffee, brew up a cup and find a good bird watching spot. I know I will be keeping an eye out for some of my favorite migratory birds this spring and summer.
Want to Learn More?
About Bird Friendly Coffee
Migratory Bird Day
Smithsonian Bird House Exhibit
Audubon Society
