Defenders Launches Wildlife-Friendly Coffee Line

Defenders of Wildlife
Wednesday, 6 March 2002

There's a simple way to save habitat for threatened birds and other wildlife, fight for a fair deal for farmers in developing countries, and help slow global climate change – and do it all before breakfast. Just start the morning with a cup of "Java Forest," Defenders of Wildlife's new line of organic, fair-trade certified premium coffees, grown in the shade under natural vegetation that preserves important wildlife habitat.

"The coffee you choose may seem like a small thing, but it isn't. After oil, coffee is the largest legally-traded commodity in the world, and the choices you make affect what happens on millions of acres of tropical and sub-tropical forest lands. Purchasing shade-grown coffee is an investment in the global environment, and buying it through Defenders helps us protect wild species and their habitat," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. "Of course, it doesn't hurt that shade- grown coffee like 'Java Forest' simply tastes better, too."

"Java Forest" coffee is grown underneath the forest canopy or in complex, biologically rich farms that closely mimic natural forests and provide valuable wildlife habitat. The careful, environmentally-sensitive management of these shade coffee farms distinguishes them from the immense, technified coffee plantations where most coffee today is grown. These plantations often require the clear cutting of vast tracts of forest land. This sun-grown coffee is a relatively new phenomenon. Until recently, coffee plants could not tolerate direct sun. In the 1960s, however, coffee farmers all over the world turned to hybrid coffee plants that can grow in full sunlight in an effort to increase production.

Although these hybrid plants produce more coffee beans per acre for a few years, they do so at great cost – not only do they destroy valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife, clear-cutting forests and disturbing forest soils also releases greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. These practices also contribute to erosion, run off, and severe water pollution.

The organic, shade-farming that produces "Java Forest" preserves shrinking wildlife habitat and does not require the massive inputs of pesticides or fertilizers typical of the full-sun plantations.

"Java Forest" is also fair-trade certified, which means that small-scale coffee growers can count on a guaranteed, fair price for their coffee beans, instead of the usual four percent of the final retail price that is typical of mass-produced, full-sun grown coffees. Full information is available on Defenders' website at http://www.javaforest.org. Customers can order online, or with a toll-free call to (866) 766-6328.

"It's a remarkable, win-win-win situation. Coffee farmers in Central and South America get a fair price for their harvest in return for preserving wildlife habitat and protecting the environment, consumers get a singularly delicious cup of coffee, and Defenders gets some essential support for our work to protect keystone species like wolves and other wildlife," said Schlickeisen.

Defenders is offering its "Java Forest" coffees in conjunction with Thanksgiving Coffee Company, a leading roaster of sustainable coffees, and the non-profit group Grounds for Sharing, which will distribute the coffee. Java Forest is available in light roast, dark roast, and decaffeinated. It is available as individual 12 ounce bags, as an automatic monthly "coffee subscription," or in handsome gift boxes that include two bags of Java Forest coffee and a Defenders of Wildlife mug. At least 25% of each purchase ($2.25 for each bag of coffee) will be returned to Defenders to support its work protecting protect native species and their habitats throughout North America and around the world.

For more information, or to contact Defenders of Wildlife, see their website at: www.defenders.org