Finca San Sebastian and Finca Santa Maria

Finca San Sebastian and Finca Santa Maria is located in the Santander region of Colombia, an area notable for the flat Magdalena River Valley contrasting with the mountainous eastern cordillera that houses the Cañon del Chicamocha, one of the most important tourist attractions in the region. Known as a biodiversity hotspot, in part due to the lush Guanentá sanctuary and Afrodita waterfall, it is also a large agricultural center.

“We have found maintaining ecological balance through diverse agroforestry systems has positive results for production, quality, pest and disease management, and the wellbeing of all living things that coexist together in the production of shade grown coffee,” said Director Joel Villalta. “We believe the birds and other animals that live together in our agroforests are indicators of success in achieving balance and synergy that contributes not only to sustainability, but to the regeneration of the ecosystem in areas that have been affected by extensive ranching. In this way, we do our small part to support the conservation of species and fight against climate change, and we are rewarded with coffee trees that in turn respond with health, quality, and productivity.”

Featured bird on the finca: Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

Feathered fact: Endemic to Colombia with a small range in the northern part of Colombia’s eastern Andes and in the San Lucas Mountains. Listed as “Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).