What Nature-Action Québec does

Nature-Action Québec (NAQ) is a Quebec-based non-profit environmental organization founded in 1986 (as Nature-Action Saint-Bruno, renamed in 1995) and headquartered in Beloeil. It operates through seven service lines: acquisition and conservation of natural environments, ecological landscape architecture, climate change adaptation, residual materials management and écocentre operations, environmental houses and éco-quartier management, natural habitat restoration, and sustainable development planning. NAQ also administers two proprietary certification programs — écoSentier (trails) and Clé Verte (automotive workshops) — and has protected 1,100 hectares in its own name while supporting the conservation of an additional 2,000 hectares for municipalities, with a 10,000+ hectare footprint reached through 1,000+ private landowner agreements.

The organization employs over 100 multidisciplinary professionals (biologists, landscape architects, agronomists, geographers, geomatics specialists, lawyers) and delivers approximately 350 environmental projects annually across more than 100 communities in five Quebec regions: Montérégie, Montréal, Lanaudière, Laurentides, and Mauricie. Its LEED Gold certified Centre Nature-Action headquarters serves as an operational base, community space, and environmental demonstration site. NAQ also manages nine écocentres that serve 60,000+ visitors and recover 12,000+ tonnes of materials each year.

NAQ is a recognized conservation organization, registered charity, and social economy enterprise, with revenue derived from municipal and government service contracts, foundation and corporate grants (Fondation de la faune du Québec, Fondation RBC, Fondation TD, Fondation Yves Rocher, Intact, Hydro-Québec), individual donations processed through CanaDon, and membership fees. In 2022, NAQ restructured around four strategic directions (Conservation, Restauration, Écocollectivité, Écocitoyen) and refreshed its vision toward accelerating conservation and ecological transition in response to the climate crisis and biodiversity collapse.

Name

Nature-Action Québec

Legal name

Nature-Action Québec inc.

Website

https://nature-action.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nature-Action Québec is a Quebec non-profit environmental organization, founded in 1986, employing 100+ professionals to deliver 350 conservation, restoration, climate-adaptation, and waste-management projects annually across more than 100 municipalities in five regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting and Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Landscape Architectural Services (54132), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

Keywords

• Environmental consulting services
• Natural area conservation
• Ecocentre management services
• Habitat restoration services
• Climate change adaptation

Headquarters

HQ city

Beloeil

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government and Municipal Contracts: Nature-Action Québec operates primarily through partnerships and contracts with municipalities, government ministries, and non-profit organizations. The organization executes environmental projects for clients and partners including municipalities, organisms, businesses, landowners, and agricultural entrepreneurs. Revenue is generated through consulting fees, service contracts, and project grants from government and municipal sources.
2. Donations and Memberships: The organization raises funds through private donations and membership programs. Donations are processed through CanaDon, which transmits information to Nature-Action Québec excluding credit card numbers, and fiscal receipts are issued to donors.
3. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Nature-Action Québec receives financial support from foundations and private enterprises including Fondation de la faune du Québec, Fondation RBC, Fondation TD des Amis de l'Environnement, Fondation Yves Rocher, and corporate donors such as Intact Compagnie d'assurances and Hydro-Québec.
4. Écocentre Management Services: NAQ manages nine écocentres (ecocentres) across Quebec, processing over 60,000 visitors annually and recovering more than 12,000 tonnes of materials per year. Revenue is generated through municipal management contracts for these facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nature-Action Québec is a non-profit environmental organization that delivers environmental consulting, conservation, and project management services through seven core expertise areas: acquisition and conservation of natural environments, ecological landscape architecture, climate change adaptation, residual materials management and ecocentre operations, environmental houses and eco-district management, natural habitat restoration, and sustainable development planning. The organization manages nine ecocentres, runs environmental certification programs (écoSentier and Clé Verte), and executes approximately 350 environmental projects per year across more than 100 communities in Quebec.

Product overview

Nature-Action Québec is a non-profit environmental organization that provides a comprehensive suite of environmental consulting and management services. The organization operates through seven core service areas: natural area acquisition and conservation, ecological landscape architecture, climate change adaptation, residual materials management and ecocentre operations, environmental houses and eco-district management, natural habitat restoration, and sustainable development planning. They also manage nine ecocentres and administer two environmental certification programs (écoSentier and Clé Verte). The organization serves municipalities, non-profits, private enterprises, and landowners across Quebec, implementing approximately 350 environmental projects annually through a team of over 100 professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Acquisition and Conservation of Natural Environments (Acquisition et conservation des milieux naturels) Service offering for the acquisition and long-term conservation of natural areas, including private land stewardship agreements, municipal conservation projects, and legal protection of natural environments. Targeted at municipalities, private landowners, and organizations.
• Ecological Landscape Architecture (Aménagement et architecture écologique du paysage) Landscape architecture and ecological planning services including restoration of natural and degraded environments, urban forestry, trail planning, and park management. Served municipalities, organizations, and businesses.
• Climate Change Adaptation (Adaptation aux changements climatiques) Climate change adaptation services including urban heat island action plans, green infrastructure design and implementation, and ecological stormwater management. Targeted at municipalities and organizations.
• Territorial Planning and Sustainable Development (Planification territoriale et développement durable) Territorial planning and sustainable development services including sustainable development action plans, active mobility planning, school travel plans, and environmental certification programs. Targeted at municipalities, organizations, and businesses.
• Residual Materials Management and Ecocentres (Gestion des matières résiduelles et écocentres) Residual materials management services including organic waste collection implementation, ecocentre management, and optimization of waste collection systems. Manages 9 ecocentres serving 60,000+ visitors and recovering 12,000+ tonnes of materials annually.
• Environmental Houses and Eco-District Management (Implantation et gestion de maisons de l'environnement et d'éco-quartiers) Implementation and management of environmental houses and eco-districts, including green patrols, information lines, community engagement activities, and environmental education programs on behalf of partner municipalities.
• Natural Habitat Restoration (Restauration des milieux naturels et des habitats) Natural habitat restoration services including invasive species control, wetland/aquatic/terrestrial habitat restoration, wildlife habitat creation, and agroenvironmental projects. Served municipalities, landowners, and agricultural producers.
• écoSentier Certification Program (Programme de certification écoSentier) Environmental certification program for trails, developed in collaboration with the snowmobile industry, users, and community organizations, providing normative requirements and environmental best practices verification, independently verified by Nature-Action Québec.
• Clé Verte Certification Program (Programme de certification Clé Verte) Voluntary environmental certification program for automotive service shops in Quebec covering practices related to recovery, recycling, and sanitation of residual or hazardous materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Protected 1,100 hectares of natural environments through legal agreements; supported protection of approximately 2,000 additional hectares for municipalities and organizations
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Conservation de la Nature Canada (CNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAQ collaborated with Conservation de la Nature Canada on the 'Ensemble pour la Nature' program, securing $1.5 million for acquiring natural environments. The partnership focuses on the conservation of high-value ecological areas.
• Hydro-QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydro-Québec is both a corporate partner and donor. They recognized NAQ's Centre Nature-Action with the 'Excellence Mieux Consommer' mention for the building's energy efficiency.
• Vélo-QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Mon école à pied, à vélo' school transportation program, promoting active mobility for students in Quebec municipalities.
• Gouvernement du Québec (various ministries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with multiple Quebec government ministries including Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ), and others for project funding and implementation.
• Caisse de dépôt et placement du QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-owned investment bank and financial institution partner supporting NAQ's environmental projects and initiatives.
• Ovivo inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOvivo, an international water treatment company, supports NAQ's Incub'nature project for ecological urban development. Marie-Pierre Lavallée, VP of HR at Ovivo, serves on NAQ's Board of Directors.
• MRC de la Vallée-du-RichelieucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRC partner for the 'Récupérer c'est pas sorcier' selective collection campaign, corridor forestier du mont Saint-Bruno, and various environmental projects.
• Ville de BelœilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost city of NAQ's headquarters and the Centre Nature-Action. NAQ manages the Domaine Aurèle-Dubois park, écocentre operations, and multiple environmental projects in Belœil.
• Réseau de milieux naturels protégés (RMNAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the network of protected natural environments in Quebec for conservation coordination and site registries.
• Corridor AppalachienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation partner for the Appalachian corridor and natural environment protection.
• Régie de gestion des matières résiduelles de la Vallée-du-Richelieu (FARR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional waste management board providing support for NAQ's invasive species webinars in Montérégie.
• CogecominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner and donor supporting NAQ's environmental programs and initiatives.
• Pratt & Whitney CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner and donor supporting NAQ's environmental projects.
• Association des biologistes du QuébecminorOthersProfessional association of biologists that supports NAQ's work and professional expertise.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WWF-Canada: Large national environmental NGO operating across species conservation, climate, oceans, and freshwater. Overlaps with NAQ on private land stewardship, species-at-risk recovery, and biodiversity programs in Quebec, but at much greater scale and with broader program breadth.
• Stantec (Environmental Services): Multinational engineering and environmental consulting firm with practice in ecological restoration, climate adaptation, and environmental planning. Competes for the same municipal environmental mandates and large-scale restoration projects NAQ delivers.
• Équiterre: Quebec sustainable development nonprofit working on transportation, agriculture, consumption, and climate. Shares the Quebec non-profit environmental space with NAQ and overlaps on sustainable development planning and citizen engagement, but with a different thematic focus.
• WSP Global (Environment sector): Global professional services firm with a large environmental consulting practice providing ecological assessment, habitat restoration, and climate adaptation services. Competes with NAQ for larger municipal and infrastructure environmental contracts, though at vastly different scale and for-profit model.

Direct peers

• Conservation de la nature Canada (Nature Conservancy Canada): National land conservation organization that acquires and manages natural areas through easements and direct ownership. NAQ partners with CNC on the 'Ensemble pour la Nature' program ($1.5M), and they share the same core business of perpetual land conservation, private landowner stewardship, and biodiversity protection in Canada.
• Corridor Appalachien: Regional conservation organization focused on protecting the Appalachian corridor in southern Quebec. Already a documented NAQ partner for natural environment protection; directly overlaps on private landowner conservation, ecological corridor development, and habitat conservation in shared geographies.
• Canards Illimités Canada (Ducks Unlimited Canada): Canadian conservation nonprofit focused on wetland and habitat conservation, working with private landowners and governments across Canada. Direct overlap with NAQ on habitat restoration, private land stewardship agreements, riparian buffer projects, and Quebec-based program delivery.
• Fondation de la faune du Québec: Quebec wildlife and habitat foundation that funds private land conservation, biodiversity in agricultural settings, and wildlife habitat enhancement. NAQ is a documented major funding recipient, and they co-invest in the same programs targeting Quebec landowners and municipalities.
• SNAP Québec (Société pour la nature et les parcs): Quebec chapter of the Nature and Parks Society focused on protected area advocacy and conservation. Competes for the same foundation dollars and municipal mandates in Quebec; direct overlap on biodiversity conservation and protected-area advocacy.

Emerging players

• Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l'environnement du Québec (RNCREQ): Coalition of 16 Quebec regional environmental councils covering environmental themes at the regional scale. Potentially competing or collaborating regional counterpart in the same Quebec environmental governance ecosystem; smaller and more distributed than NAQ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC33wO8jV2l6VRNUANbKfTxg
• Facebookfacebook.com/NatureActionQuebec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nature-action-qu-bec
• Instagraminstagram.com/natureactionqc
• Xx.com/natureaction

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Nature-Action Québec