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Colombia A country rich in coffee traditions and incredible biodiversity, Colombia covers less than one percent of the Earth's land surface, yet harbors 15 percent of all terrestrial biodiversity. The country ranks first in number of bird and amphibian species, second in plants and third in reptiles and butterflies. Colombia's coastal and Northern Andean regions both lie within areas that CI has classified as biodiversity hotspots. Threats Low global coffee prices are forcing farmers to convert their coffee fields and surrounding pristine forests into cattle pasture. Removal of these critical ecosystems threatens the region's biodiversity. Projects Based on the premise that coffee can be a positive economic driver, CI and the Colombian Coffee Federation (FNC) have established Conservation Coffee projects in Valle de Cauca and Santander, to demonstrate coffee production methods that protect biodiversity and help coffee farmers maintain their traditional way of life. These projects, which lie within CI's Choco-Manabi and Northern Andean Conservation Corridors, play a critical role in connecting fragmented forests and national parklands. Starbucks In partnership with CI, Starbucks is developing locally defined "Conservation Best Practices" for coffee farms in the countries around the world where Starbucks purchases coffee. In Colombia, 168 farmers have been incorporated into the Conservation Coffee Program, resulting in 1,000 hectares of coffee farms under conservation management. In addition, Starbucks has provided financial and technical support to CI's Conservation Coffee work in Colombia. Coffee harvested from Valle de Cauca has been offered in Starbucks company-operated stores as Conservation Colombia. more 
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 Palm leaf.  PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES • Conservation Coffee Colombia Fact Sheet WEBSITES • The Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena Hotspot • The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund on the Choco-Darien Western Ecuador Hotspot |
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