In the mountains of Nayarit, coffee cultivation not only produces exceptionally high-quality beans but has also become a key ally in the conservation of the endangered jaguar (Panthera onca).
Shade-grown coffee plantations, planted under native trees in regions such as the Sierra de Vallejo and the Sierra de San Juan, provide refuge and biological corridors for the approximately 150–200 jaguars that inhabit the state, according to recent estimates.
These sustainable agricultural systems, which represent 2.5% of national coffee production, maintain vegetation cover and jaguars’ natural prey, such as deer and coatis, in the face of the threat of deforestation due to extensive cattle ranching.
Initiatives such as Jaguars Without Protection (JSP), founded in 2015 by the Autonomous University of Nayarit, monitor these cats with camera traps and promote agricultural practices that reduce conflicts with local communities.
At Finca La Papalota, for example, jaguar births have been recorded in areas near coffee plantations, demonstrating successful coexistence.
Organizations such as Pronatura Noroeste and the MiJO Project train producers to implement organic coffee and certifications that value biodiversity, strengthening the local economy and protecting habitats. “Every cup of Nayarit coffee can be a step toward saving the jaguar,” notes JSP, which celebrates a decade of work in 2025. Thus, Nayarit coffee not only delights the palate but also speaks volumes for conservation.
One of the coffee plantations in the Nayarit mountains that has been recognized by Jaguars Without Protection for its commitment to preserving natural habitats is called D’Caleb, and can be purchased at La Casa del Café located in the Historic Center of Tepic.
Source: ntv
