Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

What Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature does

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is Jordan's statutory national authority for wildlife protection and protected-area management, established in 1966 under royal patronage and operating under a 1973 government delegation that grants it exclusive hunting-regulation and CITES-implementation authority. RSCN manages a network of 10 protected areas covering 4,656 km² — approximately 5% of Jordan's territory — including four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (Dana, Wadi Mujib, Ajloun, Yarmouk), two Ramsar sites (Azraq, Fifa), and the Aqaba Bird Observatory on the world's second-largest bird migration corridor. The organization employs approximately 300 staff, most of whom are deployed across reserve operations.

RSCN's core technology stack is anchored by the Conservation Monitoring Center (NCMC) and the National Biodiversity Database — a biodiversity information management system developed in partnership with UNDP/GEF — which together consolidate nearly six decades of botanical, zoological, ornithological, and GIS field data covering Jordan's ecosystems. Specialized institutional components include the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation (the Arab world's first dedicated conservation training academy, opened 2015) and the Jordan Journal of Natural History (a peer-reviewed semi-annual journal, ISSN 2307-7565).

The business model combines conservation with socio-economic development through six revenue streams: (1) eco-tourism under the 'Jordan Wilderness' (برية الأردن) brand operating eco-lodges, chalets, camps, and adventure activities across reserves, distributed via the proprietary website (rscn.org.jo) and Booking.com/TripAdvisor; (2) handicraft sales through the 'Dakan Al-Tabiya' retail chain (seven physical outlets plus e-commerce) supplied by 18 workshops employing 60+ local women; (3) three-tier membership subscriptions (25/40/250 JOD for individual/family/corporate); (4) corporate sponsorship via named tiers (Orchid, Goshawk, Black Iris, Arabian Oryx); (5) CITES permitting fees as the Jordan-designated authority; and (6) project-based grant funding from USAID, EU, UNDP/GEF, Ford Foundation, UNESCO, and others. Community development and school-based environmental education (~1,000 Nature Club chapters, Nature Knights program for ages 12–15) underpin the integrated conservation-development model that has earned international recognition including a Guinness World Record (2018) and BirdLife International Leadership Award (2013). RSCN extended its model internationally in 2016, establishing the Shaiba Wildlife Reserve in Saudi Arabia with Saudi Aramco.

Name

Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

Legal name

Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

Website

https://rscn.org.jo

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature is Jordan's statutory authority for wildlife protection and protected-area management, operating 10 reserves across 4,656 km² under a 1973 government mandate. It runs eco-tourism accommodations, a handicraft retail chain, conservation training, and biodiversity research funded by memberships, donations, and international grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Conservation & Eco-Tourism Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAAAFAB

Conservation Parks & Private Nature Reserves (Visitor Operations)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations)

SECONDARYTHAAAGAF

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access)

SECONDARYTHAAAGAA

Park Concession Operations (Food, Retail, Fuel, General Stores)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access)

SECONDARYTHAJAIAA

National Park & Protected Area Tours

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Nature & Wildlife Experiences (National Parks, Wildlife Encounters, Eco-tours)

SECONDARYBPAGAGAC

Land Trusts & Protected Areas

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

Keywords

• Nature conservation services
• Protected area management
• Eco-tourism operations
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Environmental education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Eco-tourism and visitor services: Revenue generated from eco-lodge accommodations (Wadi Fenan, Azraq, Dana), adventure activities (safari, hiking, cycling, water sports), restaurant and catering services, and visitor entrance fees across all reserves. Barakah Jordan is the commercial brand whose revenues support the Society's conservation mandate.
2. Handicraft sales (Dakan Al-Tabiya): Handicraft workshops across reserves produce pottery, embroidery, leather goods, jewelry, olive oil soap, Dead Sea products, ostrich egg art, and dried fruits sold through the Dakan Al-Tabiya e-shop and physical stores at reserve visitor centers. Over 60 women are employed in 18 workshops.
3. Membership fees: Three-tier annual membership (individual 25 JOD, family 40 JOD, corporate 250 JOD) providing free reserve access, discounts on activities and products, and voting rights. Includes honorary and 'Friends of the Society' programs.
4. Corporate sponsorship and donations: Corporate partners sponsor named tiers (Orchid, Goshawk, Black Iris, Arabian Oryx) for branding, media exposure, and CSR benefits. Individual donors contribute to specific conservation or community projects such as tree planting, forest cleaning, and livelihood programs.
5. CITES permitting services: As the CITES-designated authority in Jordan, the Society issues permits for international trade in endangered species, generating administrative fees.
6. Grant funding from international donors: Project-based funding from USAID, EU, GEF/World Bank, Ford Foundation, UNESCO, and others supports specific conservation, training, and socio-economic development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

RSCN manages ten protected nature reserves covering 4,656 km² across Jordan, operating eco-lodges, chalets, camps, and adventure activities under its Wild Jordan brand, and selling handicrafts through Dakan Al-Tabiya retail and e-commerce. It also runs the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation (regional training), the National Biodiversity Database, the Jordan Journal of Natural History, and conservation education programs such as Nature Knights. Revenue is generated from eco-tourism, membership subscriptions, handicraft sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, CITES permit fees, and project-based grants.

Product overview

RSCN operates a diversified portfolio of conservation and eco-tourism services organized around three main pillars: Protected Areas Management (10 nature reserves covering 4,656 km²), Eco-tourism Operations (Wilderness of Jordan brand managing accommodations, activities, and the Nature Shop e-commerce platform), and Education & Research (Royal Academy for Nature Conservation, National Biodiversity Database, and Jordan Journal of Natural History). The organization also supports local communities through 18 handicraft workshops and offers membership programs. The Nature Shop e-commerce platform sells handicrafts, honey, Dead Sea products, and local artisan goods produced by community workshops. Key digital services include online booking, donation processing, and the National Biodiversity Database accessible at www.bims.rscn.org.jo.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wild Jordan (برية الأردن): RSCN's eco-tourism brand that operates accommodations, adventure activities, and nature experiences across Jordan's protected areas. Wild Jordan generates revenue supporting RSCN's conservation programs and local community development.

Products and services

• Protected Areas Management Management and operation of ten protected nature reserves across Jordan covering 4,656 km², including Dana, Wadi Mujib, Ajloun Forest, Yarmouk Forest, Azraq Wetland, Shaumari, Dibeen, Fifa, Burq'a, and Al-Dahhak reserves. The service delivers conservation enforcement, species reintroduction, habitat restoration, and visitor access.
• Wild Jordan (بَرِيَة الأُردن) Eco-tourism Brand RSCN's branded eco-tourism operations — eco-lodges (Wadi Fenan, Azraq Lodge, Dibeen), chalets (Wadi Mujib, Shaumari), guest houses (Dana Guest House), camps (Dana Pomegranate, Rummanah), and adventure activities (hiking, cycling, safari, water sports). Revenue funds RSCN's conservation mandate.
• Dakan Al-Tabiya (دكان الطبيعة) Nature Shop — E-commerce and Retail Online and physical store selling handicrafts, Sidr and triple honey, Dead Sea products, olive oil soap, pottery, leather goods, embroidered T-shirts, jewelry, ostrich egg art, dried fruits, books, toys, and gift cards. Accepts JOD, USD, EUR, GBP, INR, BDT; ships within Jordan.
• Handicraft Workshops Program 18 sustainable handicraft workshops around reserves (Ajloun, Azraq, Wadi Mujib, Dana) employing over 60 women from local communities to produce pottery, leather goods, jewelry, embroidery, soap, dried fruits, and olive oil products for retail sale.
• Royal Academy for Nature Conservation (RANC) Training academy — the first specialized center in the Arab world for nature conservation, eco-tourism, environmental management, and socio-economic development capacity building. Programs developed with USAID, University of Montana, German Academic Nature Conservation Protection Academy, and Southern African Tracking Association.
• Jordan Journal of Natural History (JJNH) Open access peer-reviewed scientific journal (ISSN 2307-7565) published twice yearly by the Conservation Monitoring Centre, covering conservation biology, botany, geology, paleontology, zoology, and ecology.
• Nature Knights / Faras Al-Tabiya (فرسان الطبيعة) Environmental Education Program Structured five-phase environmental education program for students aged 12–15 living near reserves, combining classroom and field-based learning in wildlife studies, law enforcement, eco-guiding, and awareness. Anchored by ~1,000 Nature Club school chapters.
• Membership Program (Individual, Family, Corporate) Tiered annual membership subscriptions — Individual (25 JOD), Family (40 JOD), Corporate (250 JOD) — providing free reserve access, accommodation and product discounts, hunting-license discounts, e-newsletter, voting rights, and corporate benefits (meeting-room discounts, group rates, logo usage).
• Aqaba Bird Observatory Bird observatory at Asia's final gateway before Africa along the world's second most significant bird migration corridor; has recorded 271 bird species representing over 61% of all species found in Jordan.
• Law Enforcement and CITES Permitting Services Hunting regulation, wildlife protection enforcement, and CITES certificate issuance for international trade in endangered species, administered by RSCN under its 1973 government mandate and Jordan's 1978 CITES designation.
• Online Booking System for Eco-tourism Centralized electronic booking platform for eco-lodges, chalets, camps, and adventure activities across all RSCN protected areas, supporting both direct bookings and marketplace listings on Booking.com and TripAdvisor.
• National Biodiversity Database (BIMs) Biodiversity information management system and monitoring program (accessible at www.bims.rscn.org.jo) developed with UNDP/GEF, integrating GIS tools to produce maps and analytical models for reserve management and land-use planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Arabian oryx successfully reintroduced to the wild from near-extinction through captive breeding at Shoumari Reserve
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.

• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO designated Dana Biosphere Reserve (1998), Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve (2011), Ajloun Forest Biosphere Reserve (2025), and Yarmouk Forest Biosphere Reserve (2025), recognizing these areas as internationally significant conservation sites. UNESCO also awarded RSCN the Global Publishing Award for Best Practices in Education for Sustainable Development in 2012.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUCN placed Ajloun Forest and Azraq Wetland Reserves on the IUCN Green List in 2018, recognizing them among the world's best-managed protected areas. RSCN collaborates with IUCN on biodiversity standards and protected area management frameworks.
• Ramsar Convention SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ramsar Convention designated Azraq Wetland Reserve as Jordan's first Ramsar site (1978) and FIFA Nature Reserve as the world's lowest Ramsar site (2017), providing international wetland conservation recognition and funding support.
• BirdLife InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBirdLife International's Global Council awarded RSCN the Leadership Award in Protected Area Management in 2013 for its global leadership in integrating socio-economic development with conservation. RSCN manages the Aqaba Bird Observatory on the world's second most important bird migration corridor.
• Arab BanknotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerArab Bank developed a pioneering partnership with RSCN focused on community empowerment around Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve, particularly in Fuqaha village, as part of its social responsibility program.
• German Academic Nature Conservation Protection AcademynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with RSCN on developing training programs in biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development at the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation.
• University of Montana (USA)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with RSCN on developing protected area management training programs at the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation.
• Southern African Tracking AssociationnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with RSCN on developing eco-guiding and nature interpretation training programs at the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation.
• Wetlands InternationalnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with RSCN on wetland conservation and management, particularly at Azraq Wetland Reserve and FIFA Nature Reserve.
• Jordanian Ministry of AgriculturecoreOthersThe Ministry of Agriculture delegated wildlife protection and hunting regulation authority to RSCN in 1973, and together they oversee the Wildlife Protection Committee. RSCN is the CITES-designated authority in Jordan.
• Jordanian Ministry of EnvironmentcoreOthersCollaborates with RSCN on environmental legislation, the 1995 Environmental Protection Law, and the 2006 establishment of the Royal Department for Environmental Protection (Environmental Police).
• Jordanian Ministry of EducationcoreOthersThe Ministry of Education works with RSCN to integrate environmental concepts into national school curricula and supports the ~1,000 Nature Club school chapters and the Nature Knights program.
• Jordanian Royal Hashemite Court / Royal CourtcoreOthersThe Royal Court provides patronage for RSCN initiatives. King Hussein was the founding Honorary President in 1966. King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein have visited RSCN reserves and inaugurated major projects including the Royal Academy (2015).

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global conservation organization managing field-based conservation, science, and eco-tourism (e.g., Bronx Zoo-derived revenues). Comparable in the combination of protected-area management, biodiversity research, and donor-funded operations.
• BirdLife International: Global partnership of conservation organizations operating Important Bird Areas and biodiversity programs across 100+ countries. Comparable as a science-driven, site-based, partnership-funded conservation network—RSCN already operates the Aqaba Bird Observatory on a BirdLife-acknowledged corridor.
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): UK's largest wildlife conservation charity operating nature reserves (~220), running membership and visitor operations, and conducting biodiversity science. Comparable governance model (membership + reserves + science), though at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• African Wildlife Foundation: Africa-focused conservation NGO operating across multiple landscapes with community livelihoods, eco-tourism concessions, and policy/regulatory engagement. Comparable in its integrated conservation-development model and cross-border scope.
• Kenya Wildlife Service: State-mandated authority managing Kenya's national parks and wildlife reserves with regulatory, anti-poaching, and eco-tourism functions. Closely mirrors RSCN's combination of government-delegated conservation authority and tourism revenue generation supporting species protection.
• Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA): Government body managing Tanzania's national parks with eco-tourism revenue funding conservation. Comparable mandate (conservation + regulated tourism + wildlife law enforcement) and dependence on tourist fees to cross-subsidize conservation.
• Israel Nature and Parks Authority: Government-mandated authority that manages Israel's network of nature reserves and national parks, including UNESCO-designated sites. Directly comparable as a Middle East state-vested conservation body combining protected-area management, eco-tourism, and biodiversity monitoring.
• South African National Parks (SANParks): Public entity managing 19 national parks in South Africa with park concessions, eco-lodges, biodiversity research, and community-based programs. Highly comparable in scale, business model, and integrated conservation-plus-tourism mandate.

Emerging players

• The Royal Society for Wildlife and Forest Conservation (KMWN / Forest Bank): Smaller regional conservation NGOs operating with royal patronage and donor grants in the MENA region. While not a direct peer, comparable in non-profit governance structure, royal-patronage funding model, and reserve-management mandate within the same geography.

Regional players

• Saudi National Center for Wildlife: Saudi government authority established to expand the Kingdom's protected areas under Vision 2030, with whom RSCN has already partnered (Shuaiba Wildlife Reserve with Aramco). Strategic regional counterpart given overlapping conservation mandates and potential cross-border training partnerships via the Royal Academy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rscnjordan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rscn

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature