Northwest Ecological Research Institute

What Northwest Ecological Research Institute does

Northwest Ecological Research Institute (NERI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 1984 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to advancing knowledge of Pacific Northwest natural history through research, training, and dissemination of information. The organization is entirely volunteer-driven with no paid employees and no compensated board members; projects are executed by a coalition of Associates—including ecologists, biologists, naturalists, teachers, planners, writers, illustrators, and MBAs—and independent contractors. NERI conducts wildlife surveys and habitat research on birds (bluebirds, chickadees, Purple Martins, Barn Owls, Turkey Vultures, nighthawks, Common Loons), amphibians, reptiles, and native flora; builds and monitors hundreds of nest boxes; implements riparian and salmon habitat restoration; and provides technical advice and training to agencies, schools, organizations, and the public.

NERI's offerings span three core areas: (1) Research and Reports—98 reports, 15 journal articles, two books, and chapters in two other books produced over four decades; (2) Outreach and Education—presentations at schools, community events, the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center's Annual Critter Count, and graduate student mentorship; (3) Resource Library—online how-to pamphlets, web-links, and educational resources on habitats, PNW native animals, and survey methods. The organization also administers the Brenda McGowan Grant ($1,000 annually) for niche ecological research and sells small educational resources (a $14 book, $5 laminated salamander ID cards).

NERI's revenue model is donation-based with no membership dues; project leaders secure grants and contracts that NERI administers as a low-overhead fiscal agent. Income streams consist of voluntary contributions (suggested minimum $25 annually), grants and contracts, and nominal resource sales. Geographic focus is the Pacific Northwest, spanning Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

Name

Northwest Ecological Research Institute

Legal name

Northwest Ecological Research Institute

Website

https://nweri.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Northwest Ecological Research Institute (NERI) is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1984 and operated entirely by volunteers, that conducts Pacific Northwest ecological research, trains students and citizens, and disseminates natural history findings through reports, presentations, and educational resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecological Research and Conservation Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Wildlife Surveys & Movement/Connectivity Studies (e.g., Avian/Bat, Telemetry) (EUAHAHAH), Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Ecological research services
• Wildlife habitat conservation
• Citizen science education
• Native species surveys
• Conservation grant funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: NERI relies on donations from associates and the public to support organizational expenses and seed grants. As a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions are tax-deductible. The suggested annual contribution is at least $25 per supporter.
2. Grants and Contracts: Project leaders seek and receive contracts and grants from other organizations and agencies. NERI acts as fiscal agent and partner on grants to keep overhead costs low. NERI also provides seed money to make grant applications more competitive.
3. Resource Sales: NERI sells educational resources including the book 'Birds in Nest Boxes' for $14 plus $2 shipping, and laminated salamander identification cards for $5 each.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NERI conducts ecological research, training, and education focused on Pacific Northwest natural history through a coalition of volunteer associates. Its work includes wildlife surveys on birds (bluebirds, chickadees, Purple Martins, Barn Owls, Turkey Vultures, nighthawks, Common Loons), amphibians (frogs, salamanders), and turtles; installation and monitoring of hundreds of nest boxes; riparian and salmon habitat restoration; and provision of technical advice, educational presentations, and seed grants to graduate students, agencies, schools, and the public.

Product overview

NERI offers a portfolio of ecological research, education, and conservation programs. Core offerings include research and reports on Pacific Northwest wildlife (amphibians, reptiles, birds), outreach and education services including presentations and training, and a resource library with guides on habitat building and survey methods. The organization also runs the annual Brenda McGowan Grant program for niche ecological research and supports citizen science initiatives. NERI functions as a coalition of associates with diverse expertise including ecologists, biologists, naturalists, and educators who conduct and sponsor research projects, provide technical training, and disseminate ecological information.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research & Reports Field-based ecological research projects and reports covering amphibians, reptiles, birds (bluebirds, chickadees, Common Loons, Turkey Vultures, nighthawks, Purple Martins, Barn Owls), native turtles, and habitat restoration in the Pacific Northwest, conducted by NERI associates.
• Outreach & Education Educational presentations, classes, and training delivered by NERI associates to schools, community groups, agencies, and the general public on Pacific Northwest ecology and environmental stewardship, including participation in the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center's Annual Critter Count.
• Resource Library

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained hundreds of students, biologists, and citizens annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Xerces SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018NERI award recipient Laura Johnson shares freshwater mussel research data with the Xerces Society for use in conservation efforts. NERI Board member Candace Fallon serves as Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist at Xerces Society.
• Graduate StudentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERI partners with graduate students researching ecological issues in the Northwest, offering assistance with project development, seed grants, and expert mentorship on natural history topics.
• Prescott Bluebird Recovery ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERI helped the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project with bird banding efforts. Brenda McGowan was co-founder of PBRP in 1987. NERI provided training and banding support under their permit.
• Vancouver Water Resources Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERI provides training at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center's Annual Critter Count, engaging citizens in community-based ecological research.
• Society for Northwestern Vertebrate BiologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERI published the 'Basic Amphibian Survey for Inventory and Monitoring in Lentic Habitats' as a publication of the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology.
• Hyla WoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA family-run timber company in Oregon's coast range featured on Oregon Field Guide. NERI conducted ecological research projects with Hyla Woods exploring sustainable forestry practices.

Scale indicators7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology: Regional scientific society focused on vertebrate ecology in the Pacific Northwest. NERI published its 'Basic Amphibian Survey for Inventory and Monitoring in Lentic Habitats' under this society, indicating closely aligned research, publishing, and member engagement.
• Conservation Biology Institute: Research-driven nonprofit producing applied conservation science, planning tools, and field studies. Comparable to NERI in being nonprofit, science-focused, and producing reports and datasets that inform habitat and species conservation in the western U.S.
• Hubert Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project: PNW bluebird nest box and banding organization; NERI helped with bird banding and training under their permit and the project was co-founded by NERI supporter Brenda McGowan, indicating deep programmatic overlap in cavity-nester research.
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: Portland-based nonprofit specializing in invertebrate conservation, including freshwater mussels — a species NERI actively researches. Xerces shares data with NERI and is represented on NERI's Board (Candace Fallon, Emilie Blevins), making it a direct collaborative peer in PNW species conservation.

Regional players

• Cascadia Wildlands: Pacific Northwest nonprofit focused on forest and ecosystem conservation in the Cascadia region. Comparable to NERI in PNW focus and emphasis on habitat protection from threats such as overgrazing and off-road vehicle impacts.
• Pacific Rivers Council: Regional nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring Pacific Northwest rivers, including salmon habitat. Highly relevant to NERI's riparian and salmon habitat restoration projects and shared PNW geography.
• EarthCorps: Pacific Northwest-based environmental nonprofit focused on habitat restoration and youth engagement. Similar regional footprint and volunteer-driven model as NERI, with overlapping interest in riparian and habitat restoration work.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global conservation nonprofits, working broadly on habitat protection and restoration. NERI addresses similar riparian, salmon, and habitat-restoration problems but at a small, volunteer-led scale relative to TNC's institutional capacity.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation nonprofit focused on species and habitat protection. Overlaps with NERI's mission in wildlife surveys and habitat conservation but operates with paid staff, national scope, and significantly larger budgets.
• National Audubon Society: Large national bird conservation organization with significant nest box, cavity-nester, and habitat programs overlapping directly with NERI's core nest box research and outreach work, but operating at much greater scale and geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Northwest Ecological Research Institute