Why We’re a Bird Friendly® Certified Roastery

Coffee faces a crisis.

Not just trends or consumer pressure, an ecological crisis.

Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, soil degradation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss are threatening the farms that produce the coffee we love. For decades, large-scale coffee farming has removed natural forest canopies to increase yield. On paper, it seems efficient, but in reality, it destroys habitats, reduces biodiversity, and leaves farms more vulnerable to climate extremes.

As Dr. Steffen Schwarz explains in his article “Climate Change: Brewing Uncertainty in the Bean Belt” (Qahwa World), coffee is an exceptionally climate-sensitive crop. Both Arabica and Robusta require narrow temperature and rainfall ranges to thrive. Even modest shifts in these conditions can sharply reduce yields and push once-suitable growing areas out of production entirely. Research suggests that up to half of today’s coffee-growing land could become unsuitable by 2050 if current warming trends continue, especially for Arabica, which depends on mild temperatures and stable rainfall patterns. These changes do not just impact coffee farmers economically, they alter the very ecosystems that support coffee, leading to soil degradation, altered water cycles, and increased vulnerability to pests and disease.

Daterra Farm, Cerrado, Brazil. Picture property of Daterra

What Makes Bird Friendly® Different

We became Bird Friendly® certified through the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center because it represents the most rigorous environmental standard in coffee.

Unlike generic “shade-grown” or broader certifications Bird Friendly® requires:

• Verified forest canopy structure with multiple tree species

• Minimum canopy height and density to mimic natural forest

• Organic farming practices, eliminating synthetic pesticides

• Long-term ecosystem and biodiversity preservation

These criteria are scientifically measured and audited, making Bird Friendly® the only certification that consistently combines organic standards with functional ecosystem protection.

Why This Matters to Us

Specialty coffee often celebrates flavor, but flavor doesn’t exist outside of ecology.

• Healthy soil improves plant health

• Shade slows cherry maturation for complex flavors

• Biodiverse farms are more resilient to climate changes

Bird Friendly® isn’t just about protecting birds, it’s about protecting the conditions that allow coffee to thrive. It aligns perfectly with the future of specialty coffee, which is sustainable, resilient, and ecologically sound.

Dylan, our co-founder, loves birds.  He likes watching birds, identifying species, tracking movement. That same patience and attention is what we apply to coffee.

Bird Friendly® connects ecology and specialty coffee, flavor and forest, coffee and migration patterns. What happens on a farm in Central or South America echoes thousands of miles away.

Finca Los Pirineos, El Salvador. Picture property of María Esther Thome-López

Challenges and Accessibility

Bird Friendly® certification is powerful, but not without real challenges for producers and roasters:

• Costs: Certification can range from $500 to over $3,000 annually per farm, including organic certification and audits. Roasters may also pay licensing fees to use the official seal.

• Time and Effort: Farms often require 1–3 years to implement organic and canopy requirements.

• Accessibility: Smallholder farmers can achieve certification, but need organic certification first, technical guidance, and audit management support.

• Market Demand: Despite its rigor, Bird Friendly® remains niche. Consumer awareness is low, and market premiums are not guaranteed.

• Confusion with Other Labels: Generic “shade-grown” or broader certifications can confuse consumers, diluting the perceived value of Bird Friendly®.

These realities do not diminish the certification’s environmental impact, but they highlight the need for consumer education, producer support, and market growth.

Coffee’s Environmental Crossroads

The coffee industry is at a critical moment:

• Suitable Arabica land is shrinking

• Pests and diseases are spreading

• Farmers are under pressure to increase yield

• Deforestation continues

Shade-grown, biodiversity-focused systems are among the strongest long-term strategies to maintain resilience:

• Regulate temperature

• Protect soil moisture

• Reduce erosion

• Support wildlife

Ethiopia. Picture property of María Esther Thome-López

By linking certification with ecological management, Bird Friendly® farms help mitigate some of the challenges coffee is facing,  including soil and water preservation, reduced vulnerability to climatic variability, and maintaining ecosystem stability for long-term coffee production.

Our Commitment

We are proud to be Bird Friendly® certified. More than pride, this is a commitment:

• To source coffee that protects ecosystems

• To support biodiversity and migratory birds

• To build a sustainable future for farmers and the planet

• To educate and inspire our community about responsible coffee

Bird Friendly® represents the highest environmental standard in coffee, measured, verified, and meaningful. For us, it is not just a label, it is a pledge to a healthier coffee future, where flavor, ecology, and human responsibility coexist.

Coffee is an agricultural product.
Agriculture shapes landscapes.
Landscapes shape climate.
Climate shapes the future of coffee.

Bird Friendly® certification is one powerful step, and we are just getting started.