The Wetland Trust

What The Wetland Trust does

The Wetland Trust (TWT) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit New York corporation headquartered in New Berlin, NY, dedicated to the protection and restoration of freshwater wetland ecosystems with a special focus on amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna). The organization owns 175 properties covering more than 7,700 wetland acres across New York State and operates a US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-approved In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Wetland Mitigation Program covering 15 service areas. TWT assumes long-term responsibility for restoring permitted wetlands in the same watersheds where development impacts occur, and has protected more than 2,000 acres through this mechanism.

TWT's programmatic work centers on three flagship initiatives: the Eastern Hellbender Recovery program (a headstarting/reintroduction partnership with SUNY ESF and Bronx Zoo, featuring a state-of-the-art nursery and PIT tagging facility), the Hudson Valley Turtle Initiative (protecting bog, spotted, Blanding's, and wood turtles), and Large Wetland Complex Preservation (including Nine Mile Swamp, Owasco Headwaters, Onondaga Lake Watershed). Restoration methodology uses Tom Biebighauser's sustainable design approach (no concrete, water control structures, or pipes), with staff receiving a two-week training course. The organization employs approximately 14 staff, including biologists, ecologists, restoration specialists, and operations roles.

Revenue derives from three streams: (1) ILF wetland mitigation credits sold to permittees at $91,580/credit for Susquehanna Basin service areas and $98,022/credit for remaining service areas, on a pay-as-you-go basis; (2) donations, including tiered named giving opportunities ranging from $5,000 (Adopt a Species) to $50,000+ (Create a Wetland Preserve); and (3) grants, including proceeds from the 2018 Onondaga Lake Natural Resources Damage Consent Decree. GTM is sales-led via direct outreach to permittees required by USACE to mitigate wetland impacts. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with representation from academic, conservation, local government, and environmental consulting organizations.

Name

The Wetland Trust

Legal name

The Wetland Trust, Inc.

Website

https://thewetlandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wetland Trust is a 501(c)(3) New York nonprofit that protects and restores freshwater wetlands through land acquisition, species recovery programs (Eastern Hellbender, turtles), and a USACE-approved In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation Program serving 15 service areas across New York State.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wetland Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Wetland mitigation credits
• Wetland conservation services
• Habitat restoration
• In-lieu fee program
• Endangered species recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Burdett

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Wetland Mitigation Credits: TWT sells wetland mitigation credits for permitted wetland impacts throughout much of New York State through its USACE-approved In-Lieu Fee program. Prices range from $91,580 to $98,022 per credit depending on service area. TWT assumes all responsibilities for implementing approved wetland restoration projects.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Accepts gifts of any amount for general operating fees and organizational upkeep. Special funds for specific habitats and initiatives including Hudson Valley Turtle Habitat Campaign. Named giving opportunities: Create a Wetland Preserve ($50,000+), Name an Existing Preserve ($25,000), Fund a Project ($10,000), Adopt a Species ($5,000).
3. Grants: Guided by science and supported by stewardship assets, grants, donations, and wetland mitigation fees. TWT actively conserves wetland resources through a variety of initiatives including 2018 Onondaga Lake Natural Resources Damage Consent Decree funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Wetland Trust sells US Army Corps of Engineers-approved wetland mitigation credits to permittees across 15 service areas in New York State through its In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation Program, assuming long-term responsibility for implementing approved wetland restoration projects. The organization also carries out direct wetland conservation programs, including land acquisition (175+ properties covering 7,700+ wetland acres), habitat restoration, and species recovery initiatives such as the Eastern Hellbender headstarting program and the Hudson Valley Turtle Initiative. Funding is supplemented by donations, grants, and stewardship assets.

Product overview

The Wetland Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservation organization, not a technology product company. TWT's offerings consist of conservation services and programs rather than software products. The core offerings include an In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation Program (selling wetland mitigation credits across 15 NY service areas), Large Wetland Complex Preservation (land acquisition for wetland protection), Eastern Hellbender Recovery Initiative, and Hudson Valley Turtle Initiative. Donation tiers provide naming opportunities for preserves, project funding, and species adoption. The organization does not offer software products, platforms, or APIs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation Program US Army Corps of Engineers-approved program that sells wetland mitigation credits to permittees for permitted wetland impacts throughout 15 service areas in New York State. The Trust assumes all responsibilities for implementing approved wetland restoration projects and provides long-term stewardship.
• Large Wetland Complex Preservation Acquisition and stewardship of critical wetland habitats including Nine Mile Swamp (largest wetland complex in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin), the Onondaga Lake Watershed (approximately 525 acres), and the Owasco Headwaters Preserve (200 acres of biodiverse wetland complex).
• Eastern Hellbender Recovery Initiative Conservation program for the Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) including land acquisition, habitat restoration (installation of hellbender huts and stone slabs), egg collection, captive rearing through the larval stage in partnership with Bronx Zoo, and state-of-the-art nursery facility for documentation and PIT tagging before release.
• Hudson Valley Turtle Initiative Conservation initiative focused on protecting imperiled turtle species including bog turtle, spotted turtle, Blanding's turtle, and wood turtle through habitat acquisition and conservation programs in the Hudson Valley.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13 additional wild adult hellbenders documented at enhanced site after installing hellbender huts along approximately ½ mile stretch of stream
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Slime StoryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 November 20232023 partnership with Slime Story for wetland-themed merchandise release. A portion of every wetland item sold goes to TWT. Features adorable wetland-themed plushies.
• Wetland Restoration and Training LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2022Partnership with Tom Biebighauser, founder of Wetland Restoration & Training. Biebighauser has designed more than 6,000 wetland restoration projects and supervised over 2,750 wetland constructions. He provides sustainable wetland design methodology without concrete, water control structures, or pipes. TWT staff received a two-week crash course on his design methods.
• Binghamton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Binghamton University located in Binghamton, NY for collaborative research and educational opportunities in wetland science and conservation.
• Cornell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY for academic collaboration in wetland ecology and conservation research.
• Fingerlakes Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Fingerlakes Land Trust for land conservation efforts in the Finger Lakes region.
• Hudsonia Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hudsonia Ltd. in Annadale, NY for ecological research and biodiversity assessment.
• Lime Hollow Nature CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland, NY for conservation education and habitat protection.
• Lycoming CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA for research and student involvement in wetland conservation.
• New York State Department of Environmental ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore government partnership with NYS DEC for regulatory collaboration, species protection, and environmental conservation initiatives throughout New York State.
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic PreservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYS Parks for habitat protection and conservation of natural resources on state lands.
• Otsego Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Otsego Land Trust in Cooperstown, NY for regional land conservation efforts.
• Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Schuyler County SWCD in Watkins Glen, NY for watershed protection and soil conservation.
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore academic partnership with SUNY ESF in Syracuse, NY. Researchers including Dr. James Gibbs and Dr. Peter Petokas lead cutting-edge Eastern Hellbender headstarting research.
• SUNY ESF Roosevelt Wild Life StationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Roosevelt Wild Life Station at SUNY ESF for wildlife research and conservation initiatives.
• SUNY OneontaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta, NY for educational and research collaboration.
• SUNY OswegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with SUNY Oswego in Oswego, NY for conservation research and student opportunities.
• Trevor Zoo at Millbrook SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Trevor Zoo in Millbrook, NY for wildlife conservation and educational programs.
• Upper Susquehanna Coalition of Conservation DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partnership with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition of Conservation Districts in Owego, NY for watershed-scale conservation in the Susquehanna River basin.
• USFWS New York Field OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore federal partnership with US Fish and Wildlife Service New York Field Office for habitat protection, species recovery, and natural resource management.
• Upper Susquehanna Conservation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Upper Susquehanna Conservation Alliance for regional conservation of the Susquehanna River watershed.
• Winnakee Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Winnakee Land Trust in Rhinebeck, NY for land conservation in the Hudson Valley region.
• Bronx ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bronx Zoo to raise Eastern Hellbenders through their larval stage. Once juveniles are large enough, they come to TWT's state-of-the-art nursery facility for documentation and PIT tagging before release.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trout Unlimited: Specialized nonprofit focused on coldwater stream and riparian habitat conservation and restoration; comparable model of regional restoration projects, species recovery, and aquatic habitat focus, though trout rather than amphibians.
• Otsego Land Trust: Cooperstown, NY-based regional land trust partnered with TWT; directly comparable in service area (Upstate NY), mission (wetland and habitat conservation), and operational model (property stewardship, donor-funded).
• Winnakee Land Trust: Hudson Valley, NY regional land trust partnered with TWT; comparable in scale, geography, and nonprofit land conservation model with similar donor base and easement-focused operations.
• Finger Lakes Land Trust: Regional New York land trust actively partnered with TWT; comparable model (property acquisition, conservation easements, NYS-focused wetland and upland preservation) and overlapping geography in the Finger Lakes region.

Broad incumbents

• Ducks Unlimited: Largest wetland/waterfowl conservation nonprofit in North America; comparable in mission (wetland protection, restoration) but operates nationally with vastly greater scale, funding, and brand recognition.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global land and water conservation nonprofit that acquires and stewards natural areas including wetlands; comparable business model (property acquisition + stewardship + mitigation) but operates at much larger scale across many geographies.
• National Wildlife Federation: Federated wildlife and habitat conservation nonprofit with overlapping mission in wetlands, amphibians, and reptile protection; broader in scope (advocacy, education) but competes for similar donor and grant funding.
• Audubon Society: Major bird and habitat conservation nonprofit with significant wetland preserve holdings and policy advocacy; comparable in owning/ stewarding wetland habitat and engaging members/donors.

Emerging players

• Center for Biological Diversity: Species-focused nonprofit that litigates and advocates for endangered amphibians, reptiles, and habitat protection; complementary rather than directly competitive, but overlaps on wetland-dependent species like hellbenders.
• Defenders of Wildlife: Wildlife advocacy and conservation nonprofit with focus on imperiled species including reptiles and amphibians; comparable species protection interests though less focused on direct land acquisition and wetland restoration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thewetlandtrust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 The Wetland Trust