Interested in the news of migratory songbird decline, one of Seattle Audubon's volunteers attended the First Sustainable Coffee Congress hosted by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center in Washington DC in 1996. Upon his return, a group of volunteers decided to formalize a campaign to educate consumers about the link between coffee and migratory songbirds. Just nine months later, the campaign was nationally recognized in the media, and the campaign has been working hard ever since to convert consumers to shade-grown coffee.

The Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign has been involved in a range of activities and projects, including public outreach and education events, as well as focused conversion campaigns targeting coffee retailers and roasters not yet offering shade coffee. The Campaign has published several pieces, including a 2001 report "Coffee, Birds and Trade Policy: Making the Connections," and the more recent "Coffee, Lumber and Birds" and "Birds + Coffee, Making the Connection" brochures.

The Campaign is a staff-directed, volunteer-driven initiative of Seattle Audubon.  The Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign is one of two campaigns directed under the umbrella of the Conservation Committee. 

The Forest Friendly Lumber Campaign is Seattle Audubon's other Consumer Choice Campaign.  Follow this link to learn more about the Forest Friendly Lumber Campaign and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, sustainable paper and lumber.

Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign - Mission

The mission of the Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign is to protect habitat for wintering neo-tropical migratory birds in Latin America and the Caribbean by increasing consumer demand for shade-grown coffee. In cooperation with coffee importers, roasters, community organizations and individuals, we hope to build a viable market for shade-grown coffee.

Contact Us

Seattle Audubon
Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign
8050 35th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Fax: 206.528.7779

Matt Mega
Conservation Director
206.523.8243 ext. 38
mattm@seattleaudubon.org