Western Watersheds Project
Western Watersheds Project is a nonprofit founded in 1993 that protects western watersheds and wildlife from livestock grazing impacts through science-based policy advocacy, legal action, and political advocacy, serving 50,000+ members across nine western states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersHailey, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Western Watersheds Project does
Western Watersheds Project (WWP) is a nonprofit environmental conservation organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Hailey, Idaho, that works to protect and restore western watersheds and wildlife from the destructive effects of livestock grazing on public lands. WWP operates through a combination of science-based public policy advocacy, urgent legal action and litigation, and political advocacy targeting Congress and federal land management agencies including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service. The organization employs 11-50 staff and engages more than 50,000 members and supporters across nine western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington), with dedicated state directors executing regional field programs.
WWP's core offerings are advocacy services rather than commercial products: science-based public policy comments submitted during federal rulemaking, legal appeals and litigation challenging grazing permits and endangered species decisions, Congressional and administrative advocacy supported by a Congressional Toolkit resource, and educational programming via webinars, newsletters (Watersheds Messenger, Online Messenger, Substack), and press releases. The organization has developed proprietary public-facing technology tools including the NEPA Storymap visualizing BLM grazing permit processes, the BLM Rangeland Health Geospatial Data Portal documenting that 72% of failing rangeland health standards involve livestock as a causal factor, and the Cow Pie Pal interactive mapping tool that enables supporters to report bad grazing practices. These tools are built on ArcGIS StoryMaps and serve as advocacy instruments rather than standalone products. Legal representation is provided pro bono or at reduced cost by partner organizations Earthjustice and Advocates for the West.
WWP's revenue model is characteristic of a grassroots advocacy nonprofit: membership dues, individual donations, recurring giving programs, estate planning contributions, and merchandise sales through a Bonfire store, supplemented by likely foundation grants and environmental philanthropy. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Erik Molvar, a wildlife biologist with peer-reviewed publications, supported by a Deputy Director (Greta Anderson), Public Policy Director (Josh Osher), and regional state directors. In March 2026, WWP ratified its first collective bargaining agreement with the Western Watersheds Workers Union, marking an organizational maturation milestone. The organization maintains formal coalition partnerships with WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity, PEER, Defenders of Wildlife, and American Prairie for coordinated litigation and policy advocacy.
Western Watersheds Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Western Watersheds Project
- Legal name
- Western Watersheds Project
- Website
- https://westernwatersheds.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Western Watersheds Project is a nonprofit founded in 1993 that protects western watersheds and wildlife from livestock grazing impacts through science-based policy advocacy, legal action, and political advocacy, serving 50,000+ members across nine western states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Western Watersheds Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Conservation Advocacy
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF), State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL), Wetlands & Waters of the U.S. Delineation / Riparian Assessments (EUAHAHAC), Wetland, Riparian & Buffer Services (within forest landscapes) (AFAMAMAI)
Keywords
Where Western Watersheds Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hailey
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Western Watersheds Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues and Donations: WWP generates revenue through membership fees and individual donations from their over 50,000 members and supporters. The organization encourages public support through various giving options including one-time donations, fundraisers, estate planning, and merchandise purchases through their Bonfire store.
- Grants and Foundation Support: WWP likely receives grant funding from environmental foundations and conservation-focused philanthropists to support their legal advocacy and policy work.
- Legal Advocacy Representation: WWP is represented by Earthjustice and Advocates for the West in litigation efforts, though these are typically pro bono or reduced cost legal services rather than a revenue stream.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Western Watersheds Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Western Watersheds Project is a non-profit conservation organization that protects and restores western watersheds and wildlife by addressing the impacts of livestock grazing on public lands. It delivers this mission through science-based public policy advocacy, federal administrative appeals and litigation (NEPA, ESA, FLPMA), political advocacy in Congress and federal agencies, public education via webinars, newsletters, and reports, and interactive mapping tools that document rangeland health and grazing violations.
Product overview
Western Watersheds Project is a nonprofit environmental conservation organization founded in 1993 that operates advocacy, legal, and educational programs rather than commercial technology products. Its core offerings include science-based public policy advocacy, legal action and litigation against ecologically harmful land management decisions, political advocacy in Congress and the administration, and educational resources including webinars, research reports, and a Congressional Toolkit. The organization also maintains mapping tools such as the "Cow Pie Pal" mapping tool for identifying problematic grazing locations, and ArcGIS StoryMaps on topics including NEPA grazing permit issues, BLM land assessments, and a "Leasing to Restore" initiative. These resources serve the organization's mission to protect and restore western watersheds and wildlife rather than functioning as standalone commercial products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 50% of BLM grazing allotments failing basic land health standards documented
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Western Watersheds Project
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Western Watersheds Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Western Watersheds Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and adversarial.
- American PrairiecoreAmerican Prairie is a conservation organization working to establish a prairie wildlife reserve in Montana. WWP and American Prairie filed joint appeals challenging the Trump administration's decision to cancel American Prairie's federal grazing permits for bison, potentially forcing removal of over 900 bison from public land near Malta, Montana.
- WildEarth GuardianscoreWildEarth Guardians is an environmental nonprofit that uses grassroots activism, litigation, and legislative advocacy. WWP has partnered with WildEarth Guardians on multiple lawsuits including to protect pygmy rabbits and challenge livestock grazing decisions.
- Defenders of WildlifecoreDefenders of Wildlife works to protect all animals and plants in their natural communities. WWP collaborates with Defenders on joint appeals challenging decisions affecting wildlife on public lands, including the bison removal challenge.
- EarthjusticecoreEarthjustice is a non-profit public interest environmental law organization that provides free legal representation. Earthjustice represents WWP and WildEarth Guardians in litigation to protect pygmy rabbits under the Endangered Species Act.
- Center for Biological DiversitycoreCenter for Biological Diversity has over 1.8 million members and works to protect endangered species and wild places. WWP frequently partners with the Center on wolf protection issues, Mexican gray wolf recovery, and border wall impacts on wildlife.
- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)majorPEER is a national alliance of scientists, land managers, and other professionals who advocate for environmental protection. WWP collaborates with PEER on rangeland health data analysis, grazing regulation challenges, and BLM accountability issues.
- Advocates for the WestcoreAdvocates for the West is an environmental law firm that has represented WWP in multiple cases including litigation to protect slickspot peppergrass, pygmy rabbits, and challenging BLM grazing decisions.
- Wildlife for AllminorWildlife for All is a conservation organization focused on wildlife protection. WWP collaborated with Wildlife for All on condemnations of Mexican gray wolf killings and law enforcement efforts.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)adversarialCPW is a state wildlife agency. While not a formal partner, WWP works with and sometimes against CPW on wolf reintroduction and coexistence issues in Colorado. WWP's Colorado Director commented on CPW's handling of wolf conflicts and rancher practices.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Western Watersheds Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER): National alliance of government scientists and land managers advocating for environmental compliance from within agencies. Direct partner with WWP on rangeland health data analysis and BLM accountability.
- Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife advocacy nonprofit focused on protecting native animals and their habitats. Direct coalition partner with WWP on bison grazing permit appeals and broader public-lands wildlife issues.
- WildEarth Guardians: A western-US environmental nonprofit using litigation, grassroots activism, and legislative advocacy on public lands and species protection. Direct litigation co-plaintiff with WWP on pygmy rabbit ESA and grazing decisions.
- Center for Biological Diversity: 1.8M-member environmental nonprofit that uses aggressive ESA litigation to protect endangered species and habitats. Direct coalition partner with WWP on wolf protection, Mexican gray wolf recovery, and border wall impacts.
- Earthjustice: Non-profit public interest environmental law organization that provides free legal representation. WWP's primary outside legal counsel on ESA cases including pygmy rabbit protections.
- Advocates for the West: Environmental law firm representing WWP in cases protecting slickspot peppergrass, pygmy rabbits, and challenging BLM grazing decisions in federal court.
- American Prairie: Montana-based conservation organization building a large prairie wildlife reserve. Direct coalition partner with WWP and Defenders of Wildlife on joint appeals challenging the cancellation of American Prairie's federal grazing permits for bison.
Broad incumbents
- Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest US environmental nonprofits with broad public-lands, wildlife, and conservation advocacy programs. A larger incumbent whose western public-lands work overlaps materially with WWP's mission.
- The Wilderness Society: National nonprofit dedicated to protecting wilderness and public lands through advocacy and policy. Operates across the same western US public-lands policy space as WWP.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Large national environmental advocacy organization using law, science, and policy to protect public lands, wildlife, and natural resources. Overlaps with WWP on western grazing reform and public-lands policy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Western Watersheds Project social profiles
Digital presenceWestern Watersheds Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Western Watersheds Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Western Watersheds Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Western Watersheds Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Western Watersheds Project
What does Western Watersheds Project do?
Western Watersheds Project is a non-profit conservation organization that protects and restores western watersheds and wildlife by addressing the impacts of livestock grazing on public lands. It delivers this mission through science-based public policy advocacy, federal administrative appeals and litigation (NEPA, ESA, FLPMA), political advocacy in Congress and federal agencies, public education via webinars, newsletters, and reports, and interactive mapping tools that document rangeland health and grazing violations.
Is Western Watersheds Project a public or private company?
Western Watersheds Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Western Watersheds Project founded?
Western Watersheds Project was founded in 1993. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Western Watersheds Project based?
Western Watersheds Project is headquartered in Hailey, United States, in the North America region.
How does Western Watersheds Project make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues and Donations are the primary driver. The others are grants and Foundation Support and legal Advocacy Representation.
Who are Western Watersheds Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), Defenders of Wildlife, WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, Advocates for the West and American Prairie. Broad incumbents are Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Does Western Watersheds Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Western Watersheds Project.
What industry is Western Watersheds Project in?
Western Watersheds Project's product category is Environmental Conservation Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAMAMAB, Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAF, Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests). Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 700.