What Conservation Northwest does

Conservation Northwest is a Seattle-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1989 in Bellingham, Washington (originally as the Greater Ecosystem Alliance). It protects, connects, and restores wildlands and wildlife across the Pacific Northwest, with operational reach spanning from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies. The organization runs an interconnected portfolio of field programs organized under three pillars — Protecting Wildlands, Connecting Habitat, and Restoring Wildlife — including the Community Wildlife Monitoring Project (one of the largest citizen-science wildlife camera networks in North America), the Forest Field Program, the Sagelands Heritage Program, the I-90 Wildlife Corridor Campaign, the Fisher Reintroduction Project, the Range Rider Pilot Project, the Cascades to Olympics initiative, and the Okanogan Wildlife Crossing Campaign. It serves individual conservation supporters, federal and state agencies (WDFW, NPS, USFS, WSDOT), tribal nations (Colville Confederated Tribes, Yakama Nation, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, and others), rural ranching communities, and peer conservation organizations, and is the official Washington state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

The organization's core operational technology is field-based rather than software-based: remote camera traps, GPS and mapping tools, remote sensing data, and standardized snow-tracking protocols used to document rare and recovering species including fisher, gray wolf, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, and wolverine. The I-90 Wildlife Watch reporting system allows motorists to log wildlife sightings to inform crossing infrastructure decisions. Conservation Northwest does not operate a commercial software product or SaaS platform; its outputs are habitat protection outcomes, species reintroductions, policy wins, and convening capacity across multi-stakeholder coalitions.

As a nonprofit, Conservation Northwest's revenue mechanics rest on individual donations (one-time and monthly Wildland Partner recurring giving), corporate partnerships, legacy and planned gifts, foundation grants (Wilburforce Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation), and major annual events — notably the Hope for a Wild Future Auction and Dinner, which raised over $540,000 in 2026. The organization accepts diversified giving instruments including stocks, IRAs, donor-advised funds, and cryptocurrency, and maintains a 35+ year track record of multi-million-dollar capital campaigns such as the Loomis Forest Fund ($16.5M raised in 1999) and the Cascades Conservation Partnership (~$16M private plus $68M public in 2004). Governance is provided by a Board of Directors and Board of Advisers, with founder Mitch Friedman remaining active through April 2026 when new executive leadership was announced for the organization's next chapter.

Name

Conservation Northwest

Legal name

Conservation Northwest

Website

https://conservationnw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Conservation Northwest is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1989, that protects, connects, and restores wildlands and wildlife across Washington and British Columbia through field programs, species reintroductions, wildlife crossings, and multi-stakeholder coalition building with tribes, agencies, and 18,000+ supporters.

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)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Habitat restoration programs
• Forest protection advocacy
• Species reintroduction projects
• Land trust stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Primary revenue source through one-time and recurring donations from individuals. The organization offers monthly giving programs (Wildland Partner), one-time donations, and various giving options including stocks, IRAs, donor-advised funds, and cryptocurrency.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorship and partnership programs where businesses can support conservation efforts in exchange for association with the organization's mission.
3. Legacy Giving: Planned giving and bequest programs allowing donors to leave lasting conservation legacies through estate gifts.
4. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Wilburforce Foundation and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for specific conservation programs and initiatives.
5. Annual Events: Major annual fundraising event (Hope for a Wild Future Auction and Dinner) that raised over $540,000 in 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Conservation Northwest is a regional non-profit that protects, connects, and restores wildlands and wildlife across the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies. The organization delivers conservation outcomes through programs such as the Community Wildlife Monitoring Project, Fisher Reintroduction Project, Sagelands Heritage Program, Forest Field Program, and I-90 Wildlife Corridor Campaign, while engaging individual donors, tribal nations, government agencies, and corporate partners. Revenue is generated from individual donations, foundation grants, corporate partnerships, legacy giving, and annual fundraising events.

Product overview

Conservation Northwest operates as a non-profit conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified tech product. Its core offerings include the Community Wildlife Monitoring Project (using remote cameras and snow tracking), the Sagelands Heritage Program (shrub-steppe connectivity), the Forest Field Program (forest restoration), I-90 Wildlife Corridor Campaign, Fisher Reintroduction Project, and Range Rider Pilot Project. Supporting programs include WildLinks Conference, Cascades to Olympics, Okanogan Wildlife Crossing Campaign, Safe Passage 97, WILD NW Action Alerts, and Habitat Restoration Work Parties. These programs work together under three pillars: Protecting Wildlands, Connecting Habitat, and Restoring Wildlife.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Wildlife Monitoring Project: Program organizing community-scientist volunteers to monitor and document wildlife using remote cameras, one of the largest community-science wildlife monitoring efforts in North America.
• Forest Field Program
• Sagelands Heritage Program
• WildLinks Conference

Products and services

• Community Wildlife Monitoring Project
• Fisher Reintroduction Project
• Sagelands Heritage Program
• Forest Field Program
• I-90 Wildlife Corridor Campaign
• Range Rider Pilot Project
• WildLinks Conference
• Cascades to Olympics Program
• Okanogan Wildlife Crossing Campaign
• WILD NW Action Alerts
• Habitat Restoration Work Parties

Quantifiable outcome

• Released more than 250 fishers in Washington Cascades and Olympic Peninsula
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• National Wildlife FederationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Conservation Northwest is the official Washington state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. This partnership provides valuable connections in Washington, D.C., as well as insights from fellow conservation groups around the nation. The affiliation began in 2016.
• Washington Department of Fish and WildlifeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner for wildlife conservation programs including fisher reintroduction, wolf recovery and management, wildlife monitoring, and forest restoration. CNW serves on Wolf Advisory Group and Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in fisher reintroduction to Olympic Peninsula (2007), Mount Rainier National Park (2015), and North Cascades National Park (2018). Joint efforts to restore fishers to Washington state.
• Colville Confederated TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing tribal partner in fisher reintroductions, watershed protection, mule deer and lynx conservation. Partnered to conserve nearly 10,000 acre ranch in Okanogan County and protect watersheds from mining in BC.
• Yakama NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in pronghorn reintroduction, watershed restoration, elk conflict reduction (House Bill 1353), and sage-grouse conservation in Washington sagelands.
• Lower Similkameen Indian BandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner25-year ongoing partnership with this Syilx First Nation on Sagelands Heritage Program, habitat connectivity, cultural conservation, and sovereignty. CNW board member Amelia Marchand is from Colville Tribes.
• Wilderness Awareness SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Community Wildlife Monitoring Program, providing volunteer training in wildlife tracking and monitoring techniques. Joint leadership of citizen science wildlife monitoring efforts.
• National Fish and Wildlife FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNW coordinates the Working for Wildlife Initiative, a seven-year plan with coalition of state, federal, tribal, local and non-profit partners in the Okanogan Valley and Kettle River Mountain Range.
• Mule Deer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Safe Passage 97 project for wildlife crossings under Highway 97 in Okanogan Valley, addressing high deer-vehicle collision rates in the area.
• Cascades Wolverine ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNW serves as administering organization. Joint project for wolverine research and monitoring in Washington Cascades through Community Wildlife Monitoring Program.
• Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNW serves as administering organization. Coalition to save southwest BC's grizzly bears spanning transboundary ecosystems.
• I-90 Wildlife WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNW serves as lead organization. Coalition to monitor and report wildlife sightings along I-90 corridor and advocate for wildlife crossings.
• I-90 Wildlife Bridges CoalitionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNW serves as administering organization and fiscal sponsor. Led advocacy for 20+ wildlife crossings on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.
• Cascadia Partner ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of WildLinks annual conference bringing together scientists, conservationists, and practitioners from Washington and BC.
• Arid Lands InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership collaborating for Washington shrub-steppe conservation and habitat connectivity in sagelands.
• Northeast Washington Forestry CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative including conservation groups, timber industry, and local businesses to restore forest lands on Colville National Forest while supporting local communities.
• Calgary ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in fisher reintroduction to North Cascades National Park, providing expertise and support for the species recovery effort.
• Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner for wildfire stewardship and forest restoration in the Chumstick area of eastern Washington.
• Tapash Sustainable Forest CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner for sustainable forest management in south-central Washington.
• Washington Prescribed Fire CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition promoting prescribed fire use for forest health and wildfire risk reduction.
• North Central Washington Forest Health CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition for forest health collaboration in north-central Washington.
• Washington Watershed Restoration InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition for watershed restoration across Washington state.
• Safe Passage 97 CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition for wildlife crossings on Highway 97 in Okanogan Valley, addressing vehicle-wildlife collisions affecting mule deer and other species.
• WildSightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Columbia partner in Mountain Caribou Campaign for protection of one of the rarest mammals in North America.
• Okanagan Nation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in grizzly bear restoration in southwest BC alongside Stolo and Stat'imc First Nations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WildEarth Guardians: Wildlife and habitat advocacy nonprofit active in the Pacific Northwest, focused on imperiled species recovery, public lands protection, and forest defense. Comparable mission and advocacy-driven operating model.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation nonprofit focused on imperiled species and habitat, with significant work on wolf recovery, grizzly bears, and wildlife crossings. Directly comparable mission and overlapping species portfolio in the Pacific Northwest.
• Earthjustice: Public interest environmental law organization that litigates wildlife, forest, and public lands cases across the Pacific Northwest. Highly comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit operating in the same geographies and policy arenas, though focused on legal advocacy rather than on-the-ground program delivery.
• The Wilderness Society: National conservation nonprofit focused on protecting wilderness and public lands, with significant Pacific Northwest presence on forest policy, roadless areas, and wildlife connectivity. Direct comparable in advocacy-driven land and wildlife protection work.
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative: Transboundary conservation initiative connecting and protecting habitat from Yellowstone to the Yukon, with significant overlap in BC-Washington corridor work. Most directly comparable peer given shared transboundary wildlife corridor mandate and similar community-science and policy engagement approach.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest U.S. conservation organizations, with active chapters in Washington and Oregon focused on forest protection, wildlife, and public lands advocacy. Overlapping mission space but operates a much broader portfolio including climate, energy, and recreation.
• National Wildlife Federation: National umbrella conservation organization of which Conservation Northwest is the official Washington state affiliate. Comparable as a wildlife advocacy and habitat protection nonprofit, but operates at national scale across policy, education, and field programs with significantly larger resources.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation nonprofit active across the Pacific Northwest, working on land acquisition, forest protection, and species conservation. Comparable in mission but operates at much larger scale with paid land holdings, working forests, and a more corporate-style operating model.

Regional players

• Cascadia Wildlands: Oregon-based regional conservation nonprofit focused on forest protection, species recovery, and public lands advocacy in the Cascades region. Highly comparable geographic and programmatic focus, though primarily Oregon- rather than Washington-focused.
• Wild Fish Conservancy: Pacific Northwest nonprofit focused on wild fish and watershed protection, headquartered in Washington state. Comparable regional nonprofit operating model and habitat conservation mission, though with a more aquatic and watershed focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/conservationnw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ConservationNW
• Facebookfacebook.com/ConservationNW
• Instagraminstagram.com/conservationnw

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Conservation Northwest