Author, ornithologist and naturalist Scott Weidensaul will present, “Birds and Beans: Simple Ways to Save Migratory Birds,” a free lecture and slideshow that begins at 5 p.m. on November 3 at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Visitor Center in Kempton.

A life-long birder, Weidensaul is a staunch advocate of bird-friendly coffee and specifically, the Birds and Beans blend, the only roaster east of the Rockies that carries the stringent Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s ‘bird friendly’ label. The label signifies to consumers that beans are 100 percent certified organic, shade-grown to protect habitat, and fair-trade certified to ensure local farmers are justly compensated.

During his talk, Weidensaul will explain how the typical coffee farm displaces up to 150 species of songbirds by growing hybrid, sun-tolerant beans, developed to boost production. A bird-friendly farm, on the other hand, maintains the canopy because native coffee beans rely upon the filtering effects of trees, and so the trees help grow the beans while also supporting diverse bird species.

Birds and Beans coffee maintains the traditional and sustainable coffee growing practices of Latin America. Such farms provide trees that absorb carbon dioxide and offset global warming, have minimal soil erosion, and the traditional coffee farmers are able to earn an honest wage and maintain their livelihoods.

In March 2012, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary was named the official Pennsylvania Conservation Partner for Birds and Beans coffee, and carries several varieties in its Visitor Center, including Wood Thrush light roast, Scarlet Tanager dark roast, Chestnut-Sided Warbler medium roast, and Baltimore Oriole decaffeinated. Before the talk, visitors are invited to sample the brew.

“Hawk Mountain is a world famous organization devoted to birds and their conservation, so it only makes sense that we sell and promote the Birds and Beans brand,” says Hawk Mountain Bookstore Manager Mary Therese-Grob. “This is the coffee for anyone with a personal interest in birds and birding,” she adds. 

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is located just three miles south of New Ringgold on Route 895, or 7 miles north of the I-78/Route 61 Cabela’s intersection. Turn onto Hawk Mountain Road and follow to the Visitor Center parking lot at the top of the Mountain.

For more information, call 610-756-6961 or visit the Hawk Mountain website.

10/29/2012