Native American Fish and Wildlife Society

What Native American Fish and Wildlife Society does

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) is a 501(c)(3) public charitable non-profit organization, founded in 1983 and incorporated in Colorado, that assists Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with the conservation, protection, and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources. The organization operates across 7 geographic regions of the United States, serving 451 federally recognized tribes, 593 individual members, and 227 support member tribes. Its mission centers on Indigenous-led conservation, cultural preservation, and capacity-building for tribal natural resource professionals.

The organization's core offerings include the IHEA-WORLD certified Hunt Safe Education Program (enabling tribes to issue hunter education cards recognized across 18 countries, all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico), eight virtual Working Groups covering fisheries, wildlife health, invasive species, policy, and emerging technologies, annual regional and national conferences, technical training workshops (ArcGIS, NEPA, CLEO 40-hour, grant writing), member resource libraries, and the newly launched 'From the Field: Elevating Indigenous Voices' publication. Its technology stack relies on standard collaboration tools (Zoom for virtual sessions), the WildTrax environmental sensor data platform for wildlife monitoring integration, and ArcGIS for geospatial training delivered in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and United Tribes Technical College.

NAFWS operates a hybrid revenue model combining individual and tribal membership fees, conference and workshop registration, tax-deductible donations, federal grants through BIA and USFWS tribal wildlife programs, and licensing-related revenue from IHEA-WORLD hunter education certification. Pricing is tiered by membership status, with members receiving free or discounted access and non-members paying $150-$750 per event depending on event type. Distribution is community-led and event-driven, delivered through direct member engagement, regional conferences hosted by rotating tribal nations, virtual working groups, and partner institution workshops. The organization employs 1-10 staff remotely and is governed independently with no parent company or institutional investors.

Name

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society

Legal name

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society

Website

https://nafws.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NAFWS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded 1983, supporting Native American and Alaska Native Tribes in fish and wildlife conservation. It serves 451 federally recognized tribes across 7 U.S. regions via conferences, training, working groups, and IHEA-WORLD certified hunter education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for individual members and tribal member organizations. Members receive access to working groups, training events, conferences, and resources at discounted or free rates.
2. Conference and Training Registration: Revenue from registration fees for national conferences, regional conferences, workshops, and training programs. Members receive discounted rates while non-members pay higher fees that include membership.
3. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) public charitable non-profit, NAFWS receives tax-deductible donations and federal grants through programs like BIA Fish Wildlife and Recreation funding and USFWS Tribal Wildlife Grants.
4. Hunt Safe Instructor Certification: Program enabling tribes to become certified hunt safe instructors through IHEA-WORLD partnership, providing hunter education certification cards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NAFWS assists Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with the conservation, protection, and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources through a coordinated portfolio of programs including IHEA-WORLD certified hunter education, virtual working groups, national and regional conferences, technical training workshops, member resources, and funding program guidance. Services are delivered across 7 regions serving 451 federally recognized tribes.

Product overview

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a coordinated portfolio of programs and services to support Tribal fish and wildlife conservation. The core offerings include the Hunt Safe Education Program (IHEA-WORLD certified hunter education), Working Groups (virtual forums for 8 specialized topics), Regional and National Conferences, Training & Workshops (ArcGIS, CLEO, NEPA, Grant writing), Member Resources (conservation library, status reports, webinars), the From the Field publication, and Funding Programs. These services operate across 7 regions serving 451 Federally Recognized Tribes, with emphasis on Indigenous-led conservation, cultural preservation, and building capacity for Tribal natural resource professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hunt Safe Program: Hunter education program partnered with IHEA-WORLD enabling Tribes to become certified to teach Hunter Education courses. Since 2022, the program allows Tribes to train and certify individuals in Hunt Safe, with certification recognized in 18 countries, all 50 US states, and Mexico.
• From the Field – Elevating Indigenous Voices

Products and services

• NAFWS Hunt Safe Education Program IHEA-WORLD certified hunter education program enabling Tribal Nations to train and certify Hunt Safe instructors. Offers three training options: In-Person Class, Hybrid (Online + Field Exercise), and Fully Online. Certification recognized in 18 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
• Working Groups Program Virtual forums for Tribal natural resource professionals covering eight specialized topics: Tribal Fish & Wildlife, Emerging Technologies in Wildlife Management, Tribal Policy, Pollinators, Wolves, Wildlife Connectivity, Reptile & Amphibian, and Fisheries & Aquatics.
• National Conference Annual national convention of Tribal fish and wildlife professionals, partners, and community members. The 43rd Annual Conference was held May 4-7, 2026 at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY.
• Regional Conferences Annual regional conventions for Tribal fish and wildlife professionals, partners, and community members held across 7 regions including Southwest, Great Lakes, Great Plains, Pacific, Northwest, Alaska, and Eastern.
• Training & Workshops Educational workshops and training sessions including ArcGIS training, CLEO 40-hour training, Grant Seeker Retreat, NEPA Process training, and funding webinars on BIA and USFWS programs.
• Member Resources Resource library for NAFWS members including Hunter Education, National Conservation Library, Tribal Fish & Wildlife Status Report, Webinar Recordings, Funding Resources, and Media Resource Library.
• From the Field Publication Publication providing a platform for Tribes to share their work, perspectives, and values in natural resource management, fostering community and networking.
• Tribal Fish & Wildlife Funding Programs Support services for Tribal Nations seeking funding for fish and wildlife conservation, including guidance on BIA Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation funding and USFWS Tribal Wildlife Grants.
• Initiatives Program Conservation initiatives covering Climate Adaptation, Invasive Species, Habitat Connectivity, Wildlife Health, and Tribal Conservation Law Enforcement.

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Hunter's Education Association (IHEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NAFWS partnered with IHEA in 2022 to become an IHEA-WORLD certified partner, enabling Native American Tribes to become certified to teach Hunter Education courses and issue official Hunter Education cards recognized in 18 countries, all 50 US states, Canada, and Mexico. This partnership opens hunter education to over 4.5 million Native Americans and allows tribes managing 56 million acres to issue certifications with worldwide reciprocity.
• The Shipley GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFWS partnered with The Shipley Group to host a virtual workshop on the NEPA process, providing Tribal field staff with knowledge and skills for National Environmental Policy Act planning and processes.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSGS co-hosts ArcGIS training with NAFWS and United Tribes Technical College. USGS instructors lead the first two days providing ArcGIS Foundations training for tribal natural resource professionals.
• United Tribes Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND co-hosts ArcGIS training with NAFWS and USGS, providing the venue and lodging (EverSpring Inn) for the four-day hands-on training program.
• Desert Mountain MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Mountain Medicine provides Wilderness First Aid training as part of the CLEO 40-hour training event hosted by NAFWS and Quapaw Nation, teaching CPR/AED, bleeding control, and wilderness emergency response.
• Confederated Salish and Kootenai TribesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConfederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes co-host the Grant Seeker Retreat with NAFWS in Polson, MT, focusing on NFWF programs and peer-to-peer learning for grant seekers and grantees.
• Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerREWI was introduced during NAFWS's wind energy webinar to discuss wildlife interactions with renewable energy and their Wind-Wildlife Research Program. REWI works to update its research program with input from tribes and stakeholders.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Indian Education Association: A national membership organization advancing education for Native peoples through advocacy, professional development and convenings. Comparable to NAFWS in operating a tribal-focused membership model with annual conferences, working committees and federal advocacy.
• InterTribal Buffalo Council: A tribal membership organization that supports Native American bison conservation and cultural restoration across member tribes. Like NAFWS, it operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving tribal natural resource priorities through cooperative programming, federal partnership and member-driven initiatives.
• National Congress of American Indians: The oldest and largest national organization serving tribal governments across a broad policy agenda. It mirrors NAFWS's membership-based service model to tribes but at a much larger scale and broader policy scope, including natural resources.
• National Tribal Air Association: A tribal membership organization providing air quality and environmental program support to tribes through training, conferences and EPA-funded capacity building. Closely parallels NAFWS's structure as a tribal environmental support intermediary backed by federal funding.

Broad incumbents

• Trout Unlimited: A coldwater fisheries conservation non-profit with a strong chapter-based volunteer model and federal partnership footprint. Shares NAFWS's combination of grassroots organizing, federal advocacy and conservation delivery but is not tribal-specific.
• The Wildlife Society: A broad professional association for wildlife biologists and managers offering conferences, certifications (CWB) and publications. Comparable to NAFWS in providing professional training and working groups, but serves the general wildlife profession rather than the tribal niche.
• Ducks Unlimited: A large, established waterfowl and wetlands conservation non-profit with significant on-the-ground habitat delivery. Comparable in being a conservation non-profit working closely with federal agencies, though its scale, donor base and habitat delivery model are much larger than NAFWS's convening and training focus.
• American Fisheries Society: The oldest and largest professional society for fisheries scientists, with chapters, certifications and journals. Overlaps with NAFWS on fisheries working groups and tribal engagement but addresses the entire fisheries profession rather than a tribal-exclusive audience.

Others

• Bureau of Indian Affairs: The federal agency providing Fish, Wildlife and Recreation funding that flows through NAFWS-supported tribal programs. Functions as both an upstream funder and regulatory counterpart rather than a direct competitor, but its policy posture materially shapes NAFWS's operating environment.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: The federal agency that administers Tribal Wildlife Grants and co-implements conservation programs with NAFWS. Not a peer in a competitive sense but the most consequential ecosystem partner and counterparty in NAFWS's grant-supported work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHRrVRBn8Lt6bDrnSm3ivig
• Facebookfacebook.com/nativeamericanfishandwildlifesociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nafws
• Instagraminstagram.com/nafws_insta
• Xx.com/native_wildlife

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Native American Fish and Wildlife Society