Center for Collaborative Conservation

What Center for Collaborative Conservation does

The Center for Collaborative Conservation (CCC) is a university-affiliated center established in 2008 within Colorado State University's Warner College of Natural Resources that informs, promotes, and supports collaboration on conservation issues across Colorado, the American West, and internationally. It serves conservation practitioners, government agencies, academic units, NGOs, and foundation funders, with named engagement including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department, and Colorado State Forest Service. The center operates three core programs: the Fellows Program (18-month funding and training cohort for students, faculty, and practitioners), the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network (CFCN, connecting 50+ place-based forest collaboratives), and the Western Collaborative Conservation Network (WCCN, linking hundreds of people across 9+ Western states). Supporting offerings include fee-for-service consulting (facilitation, conflict mediation, situation assessments, training, qualitative research), the Colorado Atlas interactive GIS tool tracking 250+ collaborative initiatives, the Five Foundations how-to resource framework, a publications archive of 180+ items, a job board, and recurring events including the biennial Confluence and the annual Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit.

CCC's underlying technology is a methodology-plus-data platform: the Five Foundations framework structures collaborative conservation practice; the Colorado Atlas and WCCN Regional Map are domain-specific GIS datasets with curated information on status, sectors, and geography; and the publications and resource libraries serve as a knowledge archive. Revenue mechanics combine fee-for-service professional services, donations routed through the CSU giving platform, and program grants from foundations (Great Outdoors Colorado, Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, Argosy Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, Ed and Jackie Warner, Alper Family) and the CSU Office of the Vice President of Research. Distribution is event-driven (Summit, Confluence, Branching Out virtual sessions) and content-driven (three email newsletters, blog series, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram). The organization is not independently capitalized; it operates as an embedded center within Colorado State University's administrative and financial structure.

Name

Center for Collaborative Conservation

Legal name

Center for Collaborative Conservation (Colorado State University)

Website

https://collaborativeconservation.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Collaborative Conservation is a Colorado State University center that builds capacity, convenes, and funds collaborative conservation networks across Colorado, the American West, and internationally through programs, fee-for-service consulting, and resource tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service Consulting: CCC provides paid consulting services including situation assessments, collaborative design, facilitation, conflict mediation, training, qualitative social science research, systematic literature reviews, communications support, and subject matter expertise. Customers include CSU colleges/departments, government agencies, nonprofits, academic institutions, foundations, and private entities.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: The organization accepts donations through Colorado State University's giving platform to support programs for students, Fellows, and practitioners. Multiple campaigns exist including general support and WCCN-specific support.
3. Program Funding and Grants: Funding received from foundations and government sources to operate programs such as the Fellows Program, CFCN, and WCCN. Notable funders include Great Outdoors Colorado, Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, Argosy Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, Ed and Jackie Warner, Alper Family, and CSU Office of the Vice President of Research.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CCC provides collaborative conservation services including situation assessments, facilitation, conflict mediation, training, and qualitative social science research, delivered through structured programs (Fellows Program, CFCN, WCCN) and fee-for-service consulting. It builds and sustains networks of forest and natural resource collaboratives across Colorado, the Western U.S., and internationally, while producing a Five Foundations methodology framework, the Colorado Atlas mapping tool, and a publications archive to support the field.

Product overview

The Center for Collaborative Conservation operates as a network-based organization offering multiple interconnected programs and resources rather than a unified software product. The core programs include the Fellows Program (18-month fellowship providing funding and training), the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network (CFCN) supporting forest collaboratives statewide, and the Western Collaborative Conservation Network (WCCN) spanning 9+ Western states. Supporting offerings include Conservation Engagement fee-for-service consulting, the Colorado Atlas interactive mapping tool, the Five Foundations how-to resource library, a Publications archive of 180+ research items, a Job Board for the conservation sector, and Events including the biennial Confluence conference and annual Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit. These programs work together to foster collaboration on conservation issues across Colorado, the American West, and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fellows Program: An 18-month program providing funding, training, and a community of practice for students, faculty, and practitioners to complete collaborative conservation projects.
• Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network (CFCN)
• Western Collaborative Conservation Network (WCCN)

Products and services

• Fellows Program An 18-month fellowship program providing funding, training, and a community of practice for cohorts of students, faculty, and practitioners to complete collaborative conservation projects. Bridges learning, practice, and collaborative capacity across international cohorts.
• Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network (CFCN) A network program that supports place-based forest collaboratives in Colorado by connecting them to information, resources, and each other, and by telling their stories to make their value and needs understood. Includes regional forums, Branching Out virtual sessions, and the annual Forest Collaboratives Summit.
• Western Collaborative Conservation Network (WCCN) A network that links hundreds of people across 9+ states to build capacity for community-based collaborative conservation. Through newsletters, working groups, and Confluence gatherings, participants share successes, learn from each other, and mentor each other.
• Conservation Engagement (Fee-for-Service and Consultation) Specialized consulting services including network building and coordination, conflict management, facilitation, and capacity building via training. Service areas include situation assessments, collaborative design, purpose-focused convenings, facilitation, conflict mediation, training, qualitative social science research, and communications support for CSU departments, government agencies, nonprofits, and foundations.
• Colorado Atlas An interactive map identifying 250+ long-term collaborative and multi-stakeholder initiatives working across Colorado on natural resource, recreation, sustainability, and environmental issues. Includes an Excel database of collaboratives categorized by primary natural resource sectors and a GIS mapping tool.
• Five Foundations (How-To Resources) A comprehensive resource library organized around five foundations for practicing collaborative conservation: Collaborative Cornerstones, Engaging Stakeholders, Managing the Process, Achieving Conservation Impact, and Telling the Story. Includes guides, toolkits, books, videos, and academic references.
• Publications Archive A compiled archive of research, case studies, and lessons learned from collaborative conservation supported or produced by CCC since 2008, with 181+ entries including dissertations, guides, reports, and journal articles available for download.
• Job Board A free job posting service for internships and positions in collaborative conservation across Colorado, the West, and internationally, featuring opportunities from partner organizations and employers.
• Events Calendar A calendar listing CCC, CFCN, and WCCN events, as well as partner events, including annual gatherings like the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit and the Confluence biennial conference.
• Confluence The WCCN's biennial gathering providing space for learning and professional community-building within the collaborative conservation field. The event rotates between Fort Collins, CO and hubs of collaborative conservation across the Western United States.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of CCC Fellows Program alumni reported their Fellow's project had been useful to them professionally
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, flagship and core.

• The Nature ConservancysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Supported the Colorado Atlas project through intern funding (Jorune Klisauskaite) for the 2020 update.
• Colorado State University Warner College of Natural ResourcesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCC is established within CSU's Warner College of Natural Resources, providing academic affiliation, student pipeline, research capabilities, and institutional infrastructure. The center operates as an integral part of the university.
• CSU Center for Human Carnivore CoexistencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on multiple Fellows projects (Cohort 14) focusing on human-carnivore coexistence in Brazil and Colorado, including jaguar, mountain lion, hoary fox, maned wolf, and gray wolf research.
• Colorado Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDNR Director Dan Gibbs expressed support for CFCN. CFCN Coordinator serves on the Colorado Forest Health Council as representative of forest collaborative organizations.
• Colorado State Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Forester Matt McCombs provided letter of support for CFCN. Collaborates on Forest Health Council and Colorado Forest Resilience Planning Guide.
• Colorado Forest Restoration InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides in-kind support for Atlas updates and collaborates on Branching Out sessions, Forest Resilience Planning Guide, and Forest Tracker initiatives.
• Ch'aska HuayhuacasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed innovative thinking and commitment to the Colorado Atlas project since 2013. Also authored dissertation on Colorado's natural resource collaboratives.
• Wildfire and Watershed Initiative for Resilient Colorado (WWIRC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Branching Out virtual sessions on topics such as funder communication.
• Keystone Policy InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Branching Out virtual sessions on funder communication.
• CDR AssociatessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Summit pre-conference training on Forest Resilience Planning Guide. Also listed as CCC Affiliate organization.
• Northeast Mexico Agave Restoration NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 30+ stakeholders across Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas working to save Mexican long-nosed bat and restore agave ecosystems.
• Cerrado Mammals Conservation Program (PCMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Brazil Fellows project focusing on jaguar, puma, hoary fox, and maned wolf coexistence in southeastern Goias.
• Hustai National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Mongolia Fellows project promoting coexistence between nomadic herders and wolves through training and predator deterrence initiatives.
• Fort Collins Nature in the City (NIC) ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department, co-developing monitoring protocols and evaluating urban restoration projects.
• Waimiri Atroari Community Association (Brasil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity association of Indigenous Waimiri Atroari People in Brazil's Amazon, partnering on territorial and environmental governance strengthening project.
• AMUPROLAGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of municipalities around Lake Yojoa, Honduras, working on Biosphere Reserve conservation and sustainable local livelihoods.
• El-Koony TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya nonprofit founded by Fellow Dr. Jacqueline N. Kariithi, addressing Mount Elgon social-ecological systems through research and capacity building.
• Rwanda Wildlife Conservation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Tanzania and Rwanda Fellows projects addressing human-carnivore conflict and crane conservation through community-based approaches.
• Lion LandscapescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Tanzania Fellows project exploring social protection programs for pastoralists near Ruaha National Park to increase tolerance for carnivores.
• Denver Zoo Conservation AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrica Conservation Program Director partners on Rwanda crane conservation project.
• Threatened Species Conservation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Ghana Fellows project developing local primate conservation action plan for white-thighed colobus and Lowe's monkey.
• Crowd ConservationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellow Nicole Reese's organization, serving as CCC Affiliate and partner on Ghana primate conservation project.
• Bat Conservation InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Northeast Mexico Agave project with Dr. Kristen Lear serving as Agave Restoration Program Director.
• Trees, Water & PeoplesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member James Calabaza serves as Director of Indigenous Lands Program.
• Western Landowners AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member Hallie Mahowald serves as Programs Director. Louis Wertz serves as CCC Affiliate.
• Peaks to People Water FundsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member Julie Dubin represents this organization. Supports water conservation in Colorado.
• Confluence CollaborationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member Rich Alper serves as Principal. Provides facilitation and collaboration expertise.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RESOLVE: Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on collaborative problem-solving and environmental dispute resolution across natural resource and conservation conflicts. Closely aligned business model (fee-for-service facilitation, stakeholder convening, training) with comparable client base in federal agencies, foundations, and conservation NGOs.
• CDR Associates: Boulder, Colorado-based consensus-building and dispute resolution firm with deep expertise in environmental and natural resource collaboration. Listed as a CCC Affiliate organization and co-hosts Summit pre-conference training on the Forest Resilience Planning Guide, making it the closest direct comparable on facilitation methodology.
• Consensus Building Institute: Cambridge-based nonprofit affiliated with MIT specializing in multi-stakeholder consensus building, environmental collaboration, and public policy mediation. Comparable service offerings in facilitation, training, and applied research for conservation and natural resource clients.
• Keystone Policy Center: Colorado-based nonprofit specializing in collaborative facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and policy mediation across natural resource and conservation issues. Directly comparable to CCC's fee-for-service facilitation, conflict mediation, and training offerings; CCC's CFCN Branching Out sessions are even co-hosted with Keystone.
• Meridian Institute: Colorado-based nonprofit that designs and facilitates collaborative processes for environment, energy, and natural resource issues at local, national, and international scales. Directly comparable model of paid facilitation, training, and convening services targeting the same government, foundation, and NGO buyer set as CCC.

Emerging players

• Western Landowners Alliance: Membership-based organization of landowners in the American West focused on working lands conservation and policy. Shares substantial overlap with CCC's WCCN and CFCN networks; CCC advisory board member Hallie Mahowald serves as WLA's Programs Director, indicating close ecosystem ties.
• Colorado Forest Restoration Institute: CSU-based institute providing in-kind support for the Colorado Atlas and co-hosting Branching Out sessions on the Forest Resilience Planning Guide and Forest Tracker. Sibling unit within CSU sharing the same university affiliation and overlapping forest collaborative mission with CCC.
• Pinchot Institute for Conservation: Nonpartisan policy research institute focused on natural resource conservation, forestry, and federal lands management. Comparable niche focus on applied research, training, and convening for collaborative forest and conservation policy; much smaller scale than CCC's network.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation organization with operations across all 50 U.S. states and 80+ countries. Has supported CCC's Colorado Atlas work through intern funding; comparable in mission (conservation) but far broader in scope, scale, and funding capacity; not a specialist in facilitation methodology.
• World Resources Institute: Global research organization working at the intersection of environment and economic development. Comparable in providing research, convening, and tools (e.g., Ecosystem Marketplace) for collaborative conservation, but operates at materially larger scale and broader geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@centerforcollaborativecons5926/playlists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-collaborative-conservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/collaborative_conservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Collaborative Conservation