Conservation
Bird Conservation with Purpose
Supporting BirdLife International Through Coffee
At Thistle and Gold, our love for coffee is deeply rooted in a love for the natural world — especially the birds whose lives are intertwined with the landscapes where coffee grows. That's why we’re proud to support BirdLife International, a global leader in bird and biodiversity conservation.
Why Birds Matter to Coffee
Many of the world’s finest coffee beans grow in biodiverse regions where birds play essential ecological roles — from controlling pests naturally to helping regenerate forests. But as industrial agriculture and deforestation expand, these critical habitats are disappearing — and with them, the birds they call home.
BirdLife International is working tirelessly to reverse that trend.
What BirdLife International Does
BirdLife International operates in over 120 countries, protecting birds and their habitats through science, advocacy, and grassroots action. Their initiatives in coffee-producing regions, especially in Latin America, align beautifully with our values:
- Restoring native forest in Colombia's Central Andes to support migratory birds and sustainable coffee farming.
- Protecting endangered species like the Chestnut-capped Piha, found only in threatened cloud forests.
- Promoting shade-grown coffee systems that preserve natural habitats and biodiversity.
- Identifying Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) to guide global conservation priorities.
Their work helps ensure that future generations — human and feathered alike — can thrive in healthy ecosystems.
How Thistle and Gold Contributes
As a small, women-led coffee with conservation at heart, we’re committed to doing our part. We support BirdLife International in the following ways:
Donations
A portion of every purchase goes directly to BirdLife International to support their projects in coffee-growing regions. Every bag of beans you buy helps fund critical conservation work.
Awareness
We use our platform to tell the stories of birds at risk and the organizations protecting them. Through our blog, product pages, and social media, we highlight the urgent need to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
Advocacy Through Sourcing
We prioritize working with importers and farms that practice sustainability, including shade-grown and bird-friendly methods, aligning our sourcing with BirdLife’s mission.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Every cup of coffee is a chance to support something bigger. When you choose Thistle and Gold, you’re not just supporting a small-batch roaster — you’re standing up for conservation, biodiversity, and the birds whose songs inspire our mornings.