Dig in, Make a Difference
Monday 21 April, 2008

Maynard, MA (April 21, 2008) - Earthwatch, the world's largest nonprofit environmental volunteer organization, and Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) have been working together for nearly five years to provide enriching opportunities for Starbucks partners (employees) and customers to travel to coffee-producing communities and make a postive impact on the environment. Last year, they raised the bar by entering into a three-year partnership to send Starbucks customers and partners on an enriching expedition to Coope Terrazu, a coffee cooperative in central Costa Rica, where Starbucks and Earthwatch work together with local farmers to develop tools they need to implement sustainable farming practices.

Beginning April 22, 2008 (Earth Day) through May 12, 2008, customers across the U.S. and Canada will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to join an Earthwatch expedition where they will travel to central Costa Rica to work side-by-side with local farmers and Earthwatch scientists to help make a difference in the world. Selected expedition participants will spend two weeks this summer in Costa Rica helping to collect scientific data from nearly 40 area coffee farms to better understand and develop sustainable farming practices. To learn more or enter the sweepstakes visit, www.starbucks.com/earthwatch. Winners will be selected by June 1, 2008

"This program is about so much more than winning a free expedition to Costa Rica, but rather to be involved in a program where participants can directly impact the environment and give back in a big way." said Ed Barker, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Earthwatch. "Participants are contributing to vital research that ensures long-term success for the farmers whose livelihood depends upon healthy land with a healthy future." 

This year's expedition will build upon the success of the first field session conducted last summer during which 12 Starbucks employees and 20 customers collected data on a variety of issues including the condition of coffee plants, soil quality and shade coverage. "The data trends we are seeing from the first year of this partnership are phenomenal," said Dr. Alan Fortescue, Director of Education at Earthwatch. "Not only are we making progress in the field research, but also seeing transformations in the behavior of our participants upon their return home. Whether it's from basic recycling to large lifestyle changes, this program is having a substantial impact on the choices they make." 

"We are proud of the ongoing relationship we have with Earthwatch and of the research we are conducting in Coope Terrazu together," said Dub Hay, Starbucks senior vice president for Coffee and Procurement. "This partnership is an important piece of our commitment to supporting farming communities around the world." Starbucks and Earthwatch have worked together on 15 different conservation projects since 2000. 

To participate this year, enter the sweepstakes by visiting www.starbucks.com/earthwatch or learn more at www.earthwatch.org/starbucks. The contest ends May 12, 2008 with a drawing of 20 winners. See website for official rules.

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Images available upon request.

For press information, please contact:

Kristen Kusek, Director of Public Relations, Earthwatch, 978-450-1281, kkusek@earthwatch.org. 

Starbucks Press line, 206-318-7100, Press@starbucks.com

Earthwatch Institute is the world's largest environmental volunteer nonprofit organization. Its mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch was founded in Boston in 1971 and affiliate offices are based in the UK, Australia, and Japan. With approximately 120 projects fielding in more than 55 countries worldwide, Earthwatch focuses its research efforts on climate change, endangered species and resources, marine biology and ocean conservation, and threatened traditional cultures.

Earthwatch, engaged in nearly 40 corporate partnerships, ranked 11th (of 550) in the "Business Guide to Partnering with NGOs and the United Nations" published last year by The Financial Times, the United Nations Global Compact and Dalberg Global Development Advisors.

About Starbucks Coffee Company
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with nearly 16,000 stores and more than 170,000 partners (employees) in 44 countries, Starbucks is the premiere roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.