What Sustainable Conservation does

Sustainable Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with a regional office in Modesto, that advances the collaborative stewardship of California's land, air, and water. The organization runs five core programs — Water for the Future (on-farm groundwater recharge and the GRAT planning tool), Waste Not (dairy manure management and manure subsurface drip irrigation), Solutions in Our Soil (cover crops and soil health), Accelerating Restoration (streamlined permitting for habitat restoration), and the Leopold Conservation Award — and serves California communities, private landowners (farmers, ranchers, forestland owners who manage over 50% of the state's land), agricultural water users, restoration practitioners, and the Central Valley dairy industry. Its proprietary technical assets include the first-of-its-kind Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tool (GRAT), MSDI systems deployed on 4,432 acres of California feed crop with Netafim USA, cover cropping practices, and the habitat restoration permitting pathways developed with NOAA, USFWS, California Coastal Commission, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife following the Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (2014).

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a commercial product model: in FY2024 the organization reported total support and revenue of $8,573,497, comprising individual contributions ($4,747,021, the largest source), foundation grants ($2,245,294), client services ($1,343,748), government grants ($170,158), and other income ($67,276), against total expenses of $6,338,876 split across program ($4,640,337), fundraising ($961,229), and general and administrative ($737,310) functions. Go-to-market is a multi-channel donor development motion covering corporate gifts, foundation grants, individual donations, monthly Partners program, major donor tiers (Stewards $1,000+, Sustainers $5,000+, Friendship Circle $10,000+), legacy giving, and donor-advised funds, paired with technical assistance and consulting engagements with growers, dairies, irrigation districts, and government agencies. The organization reports Charity Navigator four-star status and Candid Platinum Transparency designation for 2025, and operates sub-brands including GroundwaterRecharge.org, AcceleratingRestoration.org, PlantRight, Thrive California newsletter, and the California Conservationists donor community.

Name

Sustainable Conservation

Legal name

Sustainable Conservation

Website

https://suscon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sustainable Conservation is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances collaborative stewardship of land, air, and water through programs in groundwater recharge, dairy manure management, soil health, habitat restoration permitting, and landowner recognition, serving California communities, farmers, ranchers, and the Central Valley dairy industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Water resource management
• Habitat restoration permitting
• Sustainable agriculture programs
• Watershed stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Grants from private foundations constitute a major revenue stream for the organization, enabling consistent sustainable programmatic growth.
2. Individual Contributions: Donations from individual supporters including monthly donors (Partners), major donors (Stewards, Sustainers), and leadership donors (Friendship Circle). Largest revenue source at $4.7M.
3. Client Services: Revenue from providing technical assistance, consulting, and program services to partners and stakeholders.
4. Government Grants: Grants from government agencies including USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants and California state agencies.
5. Other Revenue: Miscellaneous revenue sources including corporate gifts and other income.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sustainable Conservation is a California-based nonprofit that advances collaborative stewardship of land, air, and water through conservation programs including groundwater recharge, manure/waste management, soil health, habitat restoration permitting, and stewardship recognition. It delivers these through on-the-ground technical assistance, regulatory advocacy, partnerships with farmers and agencies, and free public technical tools (GRAT, Accelerating Restoration website).

Product overview

Sustainable Conservation is a nonprofit organization that advances collaborative stewardship of California's land, air, and water. Rather than a unified software product, the organization operates a portfolio of conservation programs and technical tools. The core programs include Accelerating Restoration (streamlined permitting for habitat projects), Solutions in Our Soil (soil health and water conservation), Waste Not (circular economy for dairy manure), Water for the Future (groundwater recharge), and the Leopold Conservation Award (recognition program). Supporting technical tools include the Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tool (GRAT) for water managers and the Accelerating Restoration Website for restoration practitioners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GroundwaterRecharge.org: Resource site including the Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tool (GRAT) for agricultural water providers and Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
• AcceleratingRestoration.org
• PlantRight
• Thrive California
• California Conservationists
• California Legacy Society

Products and services

• Water for the Future A program focused on on-farm groundwater recharge and watershed modeling to build climate resilience and ensure reliable clean water supplies for California communities and agriculture.
• Waste Not A program promoting circular economy solutions for dairy manure management, including manure subsurface drip irrigation systems that protect groundwater quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Solutions in Our Soil A program focused on the relationship between soil health and water conservation, promoting cover crops and soil health practices to improve water infiltration and protect groundwater quality.
• Accelerating Restoration A program focused on expediting ecological restoration permitting through developing streamlined regulatory pathways, tools, and resources for habitat restoration projects across California.
• Leopold Conservation Award An award program co-sponsored with Sand County Foundation and California Farm Bureau Federation that celebrates California farmers, ranchers, and landowners for outstanding conservation stewardship.
• Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tool (GRAT) A first-of-its-kind technical tool that helps water managers and Groundwater Sustainability Agencies plan optimal locations for groundwater recharge to maximize impact.
• Accelerating Restoration Website A dedicated resource website designed to help restoration practitioners in California find and understand efficient permitting pathways for aquatic and riparian habitat restoration projects.
• PlantRight A campaign to help Californians plant right by promoting non-invasive plants and phasing out invasive plants through major retailer partnerships including The Home Depot and Lowe's.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced 12,000 tons of GHG emissions equivalent to taking 40,000 cars off the road
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Coastal CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership since 2013 to accelerate voluntary habitat restoration along California's coastline through Commission rulings that simplified permitting for restoration projects.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Implementation partner for Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (2014), establishing simplified permitting process to empower landowners, government agencies and conservation organizations to take on small-scale voluntary habitat restoration.
• The Home DepotcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partner in PlantRight campaign to phase out invasive plants from product mixes. Home Depot committed over 200 stores in California to promoting safe, non-invasive plants.
• Lowe'scoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partner in PlantRight campaign committed to promoting non-invasive plants and phasing out problem plants from their product mixes.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partnership with NOAA Restoration Center to expedite habitat restoration permitting along California's coastline. NOAA has issued regional programmatic Biological Opinions for Central Coast, South Coast, North Coast, and Central Valley restoration.
• Don Cameron (Terranova Ranch)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Launched groundwater recharge demonstration project in 2011, flooding 1,000 acres of wine grapes, alfalfa and open land with floodwater from the Kings River to recharge depleted groundwater aquifer. Partnership has grown to include construction of dedicated groundwater recharge basin.
• Netafim USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term strategic partnership to develop and scale manure subsurface drip irrigation (MSDI) technology on California dairies. Partnership has expanded from initial pilot at De Jager Farms to over 4,400 acres, with continued collaboration on Conservation Innovation Grants and technology advancement.
• De Jager FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitial pilot partner for manure subsurface drip irrigation system demonstration. De Jager Farms worked with Sustainable Conservation and Netafim USA to demonstrate how clean water, thriving dairy industry and healthy communities can go hand in hand using subsurface manure drip irrigation.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Conservation Innovation Grant to scale manure subsurface drip irrigation system to additional dairies. NRCS has approved MSDI as a standard practice, encouraging wider industry adoption.
• American RiverscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Scott River restoration story and watershed restoration initiatives bringing together Yurok Tribe, local farmers and ranchers, and state agencies to restore salmon habitat and conserve water resources.
• California TroutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Scott River restoration and salmon habitat conservation efforts alongside Yurok Tribe, local farmers and ranchers, and state agencies.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for soil health and cover crop research. UC Davis provides scientific expertise and research capabilities for understanding soil-water nexus and climate-resilient agriculture practices.
• UC BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for environmental science, policy, and agroecology research. Partners include UC Berkeley Environmental Science, Policy, and Management department and Goldman School of Public Policy.
• GrizzlyCorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps program partnership placing fellows with Sustainable Conservation to support soil health, water quality, and conservation programs. Multiple staff members joined through GrizzlyCorps fellowship.
• Almond Board of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for on-farm recharge in almond orchards and introduction to Groundwater Recharge manual. Collaboration on Conservation Innovation Grant for MSDI pilot on almond crops.
• Driscoll'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Solutions in Our Soil program focusing on cover crops and soil health practices for berry production. Driscoll's is part of the agricultural industry collaboration for sustainable practices.
• General MillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting sustainable agriculture and soil health initiatives. Part of Solutions in Our Soil program collaboration.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for habitat restoration and ecological initiatives. Collaboration on restoration permitting improvements and ecosystem conservation.
• Environmental Defense FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partner for water quality and conservation initiatives. Collaboration on restoration and agricultural sustainability programs.
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for wetland and habitat restoration initiatives. Collaboration on restoration permitting and habitat conservation programs.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for restoration permitting. USFWS has issued Statewide Restoration Programmatic Biological Opinion supporting expedited restoration permitting.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for restoration permitting pathway development. Collaboration on programmatic biological opinions and restoration authorization.
• California Air Resources BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for greenhouse gas reduction initiatives including dairy methane reduction strategies and CAPCOA GHG Rx program.
• Western United DairiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner representing California dairy industry for sustainable practices and manure management technology adoption.
• Turlock Irrigation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic utility partner for water management and groundwater recharge initiatives in the Central Valley.
• Stanislaus CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner for community water quality and dairy sustainability initiatives.
• Sand County FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner for Leopold Conservation Award program co-sponsored since 2006 to celebrate California farmers, ranchers and landowners for sound stewardship.
• California Farm Bureau FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agricultural organization partner for Leopold Conservation Award program and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
• American Farmland TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner for agricultural land conservation and sustainable farming initiatives. Collaboration partner in Leopold Conservation Award program.
• Self-Help EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner for water projects addressing drinking water shortages and groundwater overdraft in San Joaquin Valley communities.
• Flood-MAR NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-stakeholder network for Agricultural Managed Aquifer Recharge (AgMAR) combining flood water management, groundwater recharge, and agricultural resilience.
• California Farm Bureau FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agricultural organization partner for Solutions in Our Soil program covering cover crops and soil health practices.
• Monterey County Farm BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal agricultural organization partner for Central Coast Solutions in Our Soil program focusing on groundwater quality and nitrate leaching.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and public access, with California offices. Comparable on private-lands conservation strategy and policy advocacy; broader geographic scope and larger budget but adjacent in mission and approach.
• The Nature Conservancy (California): Global environmental nonprofit with a major California chapter working on land conservation, freshwater, and climate. Comparable in mission and partnership network (TNC is a documented partner of Sustainable Conservation), but operates at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Environmental Defense Fund: Major environmental nonprofit with active California programs in water, agriculture, and climate. Comparable in working-with-industry approach and policy engagement; EDF is a documented partner of Sustainable Conservation and the new CEO Josette Lewis has prior senior roles there.

Direct peers

• Pacific Institute: Oakland-based nonprofit conducting research and policy work on California water, climate, and sustainability. Directly comparable as a California-focused environmental nonprofit with similar multi-stakeholder convening approach; the two organizations co-convened a 2026 SF Climate Week 'Farming the Future' panel.
• American Rivers: National river and freshwater conservation nonprofit with significant California programming. Directly comparable on watershed restoration and water policy; Sustainable Conservation's Aysha Massell previously led American Rivers' California Integrated Water Systems program.
• Point Blue Conservation Science: California-based conservation science nonprofit working with farmers and ranchers on climate-smart agriculture and habitat. Directly comparable in California private-lands stewardship approach; Sustainable Conservation's Taylor Fridrich previously served as a partner biologist with Point Blue.
• Sand County Foundation: National nonprofit that promotes private-lands conservation through its signature Leopold Conservation Award program. Directly comparable as a co-sponsor of the California Leopold Conservation Award since 2006, making it the closest program-level peer.
• Ducks Unlimited: Large wetland and habitat conservation nonprofit with active California work. Comparable in habitat restoration and partnership with public agencies (a documented Sustainable Conservation partner); differs in primary species focus but adjacent in restoration-permitting work.
• California Association of Resource Conservation Districts: California network of Resource Conservation Districts delivering on-the-ground conservation planning with farmers and ranchers. Directly comparable in working with private landowners across California's agricultural regions; Sustainable Conservation staff and partners have prior CARCD roles.

Emerging players

• River Partners: California-focused nonprofit specializing in large-scale riverine habitat restoration on agricultural lands. Comparable niche and California-only focus; smaller-scale peer with overlapping restoration-permitting and habitat expertise but a narrower programmatic portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/suscon_ca
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/suscon123
• Facebookfacebook.com/116106692365
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-conservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sustainable_conservation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Conservation