What Wildlands Network does

Wildlands Network is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 16-1402497), founded in 1991 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, that works to reconnect, restore, and rewild North American ecosystems through science-driven conservation. The organization operates the Wildways framework — three continental-scale wildlife corridor systems (Eastern, Western, Pacific) — and delivers programs spanning wildlife crossings infrastructure, borderlands connectivity research along the U.S.-Mexico border, the California Corridor Initiative, the Wildlife & Solar Energy Study in the Four Corners region, and the Wild Pathfinder Species Program for indicator species including red wolves, jaguars, pronghorn, and thick-billed parrots.

Its underlying technology stack combines GPS collar telemetry (75 pronghorn tracked), camera trap surveys (over 4 million photos reviewed documenting 19 mammalian species), drone surveys, roadkill surveys, and GIS-based habitat connectivity modeling. The organization has helped secure $898+ million in public funds for wildlife conservation through 33 state and federal bills, including the 2019 New Mexico Corridors Act, the 2023 Mexico mining ban in Natural Protected Areas, and the 2024 California Room to Roam Act.

Its business model is donation-driven: revenue comes from individual donations (one-time, monthly "Sustain the Wild," and the Corridor Keepers Legacy Society for planned giving), foundation grants, federal research grants (notably from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office), and corporate/philanthropic partners. Go-to-market is community-led, reaching supporters and conservation allies through coalition networks spanning tribal nations (Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute), state and federal agencies (BLM, state DOTs, Caltrans), conservation NGOs (Sky Island Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Network, Pathways for Wildlife, the 7-organization NOSSA coalition in Mexico), and private landowners. The organization serves three countries (Canada, U.S., Mexico) and operates without subsidiaries, parent companies, or commercial revenue streams.

Name

Wildlands Network

Legal name

Wildlands Network

Website

https://wildlandsnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wildlands Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that conducts wildlife research, policy advocacy, and coalition partnerships to reconnect wildlife corridors across North America through its Eastern, Western, and Pacific Wildways framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Habitat connectivity
• Wildlife corridors
• Conservation policy
• Wildlife crossings

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Wildlands Network generates revenue primarily through individual donations, including one-time gifts, monthly giving (Sustain the Wild program), and legacy/estate gifts. The organization encourages tax-deductible contributions with EIN 16-1402497.
2. Major Gifts and Planned Giving: Donor-advised funds, stock donations, matching gifts, tribute gifts, and IRA donations for supporters aged 70½ or older. The Corridor Keepers Legacy Society accepts designated gifts in estate plans.
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations supporting conservation work. The organization has received support from entities such as the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office for the wildlife and solar study.
4. Federal and State Funding Advocacy: The organization advocates for and has helped secure public funds for wildlife crossings and conservation. Has secured over $898 million in public funds through policy advocacy.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wildlands Network is a nonprofit conservation organization that reconnects, restores, and rewilds wild places across North America through science-driven research, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. The organization advances the Wildways framework (Eastern, Western, and Pacific) to protect continental-scale wildlife corridors, advocates for wildlife crossing infrastructure on roads and highways, and works with tribal nations, government agencies, and partner organizations to secure habitat connectivity. It conducts wildlife movement research using GPS collars, camera traps, and GIS mapping, and develops model legislation adopted by multiple states.

Product overview

Wildlands Network is a continental-scale wildlife conservation organization that operates interconnected programs rather than a traditional technology product. Its core offerings include the Wildways framework (Eastern, Western, and Pacific Wildways) that establish wildlife corridors across North America; Wildlife Crossings infrastructure advocacy and research; the Borderlands Connectivity Program addressing U.S.-Mexico border barriers; and specialized regional programs in California, Mexico, and the Four Corners region. Additional offerings include the Wild Pathfinder Species Program for species-specific conservation, the Wildlife & Solar Energy Study research initiative, and interactive StoryMaps for spatial data visualization. The organization focuses on reconnecting, restoring, and rewilding North American ecosystems through science-driven research, policy advocacy, and community partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sustain the Wild: Monthly giving program that provides dependable, recurring support for long-term conservation.

Products and services

• Wildways A framework of interconnected wildlife corridors spanning North America, including Eastern Wildway, Western Wildway, and Pacific Wildway, designed to reconnect wildlife habitats across the continent.
• Wildlife Crossings Program Advocacy and research program promoting infrastructure solutions including highway overpasses, underpasses, and culverts that allow wildlife to safely cross roads and highways, reducing vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation.
• Borderlands Connectivity Program Research and advocacy program focused on maintaining and restoring wildlife movement across the U.S.-Mexico border, including wildlife passages in the border wall and documenting the 86% reduction in wildlife movement caused by the wall.
• California Corridor Initiative Program reconnecting California's habitats through wildlife crossings, policy advocacy, and landscape connectivity along the Pacific Wildway.
• Wildlife & Solar Energy Study Large-scale research initiative studying the impact of utility-scale solar development on pronghorn and other wildlife, using GPS collars, drone surveys, and trail cameras in the Four Corners region.
• Mexico Conservation Program Conservation efforts in Mexico including jaguar corridor restoration, thick-billed parrot protection, and private land conservation through mechanisms like the Real Right of Conservation.
• Wild Pathfinder Species Program Species-specific conservation efforts for key indicator species including red wolves, jaguars, mountain lions, pronghorn, black-footed ferrets, and other wildlife requiring habitat connectivity.
• Private Land Conservation Program Legal frameworks and tax incentives enabling private landowners in Mexico to voluntarily conserve wildlife habitat, including the Derecho Real de Conservacion (Real Right of Conservation).

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions by over 90% with properly designed crossings and fencing
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sky Island AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership conducting border wall impact research documenting the 86% reduction in wildlife movement. Jointly published research and set up wildlife cameras along border wall sections to identify movement patterns.
• Wildlife Conservation NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the development of an interactive map of wildlife crossings across California, the most complete database of wildlife crossing infrastructure in the state.
• Pathways for WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing wildlife video documentation and supporting wildlife crossing projects in California and across the Wildways network.
• Navajo NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partnership for the Wildlife & Solar study in Four Corners region. Navajo Nation natural resource departments participate in wildlife data collection on Tribal lands, representing Tribal values and knowledge.
• Ute Mountain UtecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partnership for the Wildlife & Solar study. Ute Mountain Ute Tribe field technicians work with Wildlands Network to gather wildlife data representing Tribal values and knowledge.
• New Mexico Department of Game and FishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in Four Corners Wildlife & Solar Study, collaborating on research and monitoring of pronghorn and other species.
• New Mexico State Land OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Four Corners region study, providing access to state lands for wildlife monitoring and research activities.
• Bureau of Land Management – Farmington Field OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner in Four Corners Wildlife & Solar Study, collaborating on research and monitoring across BLM-managed lands.
• NOSSA Coalition (Northern Jaguar Reserve and 7 Mexican organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaniel Martin coordinates joint activities of 7 Mexican environmental organizations to strengthen protection of Natural Protected Areas in Northwest Mexico.
• Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in creating StoryMap for bird-friendly forestry in West Virginia, helping landowners implement conservation practices.
• Forest Stewards GuildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing bird-friendly forestry StoryMap for West Virginia landowners.
• Volunteers for Outdoor ColoradominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing fence survey work days in San Luis Valley, surveying rangeland fences in critical winter range for elk and deer.
• Rio Grande National ForestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in San Luis Valley fence survey project, working to modify fences for free wildlife movement.
• Bureau of Land ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in San Luis Valley fence survey project to assess and modify fencing for wildlife passage.
• D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar developer partner in the Four Corners Wildlife & Solar study area, with projects being studied for wildlife interactions.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: The largest environmental nonprofit globally, operating conservation programs across all 50 U.S. states and 70+ countries. Comparable as a science-driven, land-and-wildlife-focused conservation NGO with policy advocacy, though its scope is much broader than Wildlands Network's corridor focus.
• National Wildlife Federation: America's largest wildlife conservation federation with millions of supporters and affiliates. Comparable for donor base, policy advocacy, and habitat connectivity work, though NWF operates more broadly across education and gardening programs.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: International conservation organization operating wildlife parks and field programs across 60+ countries. Comparable for science-led species conservation and habitat work; shares board and staff lineage with Wildlands Network (e.g., Fred Koontz on board).
• Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organizations in the U.S. Comparable for policy advocacy, donor base, and continental U.S. footprint, though broader in scope (climate, public lands, energy) than wildlife connectivity.
• Conservation International: Global environmental nonprofit working on biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development. Tim Noviello, Wildlands Network's Communications Director, previously spent 18 years there, evidencing close organizational ties and shared science-policy model.
• World Wildlife Fund (U.S.): International conservation organization with major U.S. operations focused on wildlife and habitat protection. Comparable for science-driven programs, large donor base, and global-to-North America corridor work.

Direct peers

• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation NGO focused on imperiled species and habitat protection through advocacy, litigation, and field programs. Highly comparable given overlapping policy advocacy, federal funding influence, and wildlife corridor priorities.
• Center for Biological Diversity: Conservation nonprofit known for aggressive legal action and species protection campaigns. Katie Davis, Wildlands Network's Executive Director, previously worked there as a southwest public lands campaigner, evidencing strong operational and mission overlap.

Emerging players

• Panthera: Wild cat conservation organization working on jaguar, puma, and other felid corridors across the Americas. Comparable as a niche conservation NGO focused on wildlife connectivity, particularly in jaguar and mountain lion range that overlaps Wildlands Network's Western Wildway.
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Habitat conservation nonprofit focused on elk and other wildlife, with significant corridor and public lands advocacy. Comparable for mission-driven wildlife habitat work and conservation coalition building, though more species-specific than continental.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wildlandsnetwrk
• Facebookfacebook.com/wildlandsnetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildlands-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildlandsnetwork/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Wildlands Network