Hi!

Opps, I forgot to attach this to my other note. This might help answer
any questions about Starbucks and shade coffee. I found this in a note
from the Audubon mailing list I subscribe to.

*******************

Starbucks and Conservation International Partner to Support Shade Coffee
in Mexico

BusinessWire, Wednesday, February 24, 1999 at 09:08

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 1999--Growing premium coffee
while protecting tropical forests in and around coffee farms is the
goal of a new partnership between Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) and
Conservation International (CI). The three-year partnership, which was
announced yesterday at Starbucks Annual Meeting, will promote
environmentally sound methods of growing coffee and will provide
economic opportunities for small farmers.
"Starbucks and CI share an interest in ensuring that coffee
production does not harm the world's rich and fragile tropical
forests," said Orin Smith, Starbucks president and COO. "The focus of
this partnership will be to support small farmers who grow coffee in
ways that minimize environmental impacts and help to conserve tropical
forests."
The partnership will begin in El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in
Chiapas, Mexico. The mountainous region, rich in rare species such as
the jaguar, is known for its high quality coffee produced on farms in
a buffer zone surrounding the reserve. The reserve is part of the
Mesoamerica hotspot, one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots in
critical need of conservation as designated by CI. The hotspots claim
the world's highest concentrations of unique species under extreme
threat.
CI will assist small farmers who grow coffee in the buffer zone
under the shade of the forest canopy, thereby protecting the reserve's
forests, streams and wildlife. Starbucks will provide financial
support and technical expertise to the Chiapas project. Starbucks will
also explore the feasibility of offering in its stores the coffee from
the farms receiving assistance under this project.
"This partnership illustrates how the marketplace can play a
powerful role to protect the Earth's endangered biodiversity," said
Peter Seligmann, Chairman and CEO of Conservation International.
"Coffee is one of the world's largest agricultural commodities with a
profound ecological impact. Starbucks can show consumers worldwide the
important benefits of growing coffee in an environmentally conscious
way."
Conservation International works worldwide to protect global
biodiversity and demonstrate that human societies are able to live
harmoniously with nature. In over 20 countries in the Americas, Asia,
and Africa, CI develops scientific, policy, and economic solutions to
protect threatened natural ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity.
Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and
brand of specialty coffee in the world. In addition to its more than
2,000 retail locations in North America, the United Kingdom and the
Pacific Rim, Starbucks sells whole bean coffees through its specialty
sales group, direct response business, supermarkets and online at
www.starbucks.com. Additionally, through its joint venture
partnerships, Starbucks produces and sells bottled Frappuccino(R)
coffee drink and a line of premium ice creams.


CONTACT: Conservation International
Lani Asato, 202/973-2250
OR
Starbucks Coffee Company
Cheri Libby, 206/447-7272
OR
http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/sbux.htm
NOD+ number is: 800/239-0317


Lydia Gaebe In Kent, WA
lydia at wizards.net
Life Is A Soap On The Reality Side Of The Tube