Pronatura Península de Yucatán

What Pronatura Península de Yucatán does

Pronatura Península de Yucatán A.C. (PPY) is a Mexican nonprofit civil association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Mérida, Yucatán, operating across the three states of the Yucatán Peninsula (Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo). The organization runs a portfolio of eight conservation programs — whale shark management, marine turtle conservation, bird conservation, feline conservation, sustainable rural development, fire management, sustainable tourism, and a geospatial information center (CPIC) — and manages the 4,088.55-hectare El Zapotal private conservation area. It serves as a technical operating partner to federal and state environmental authorities (CONANP, CONAFOR, state environmental secretariats) and as a convener for rural communities, ejidos, producer cooperatives, and scientific institutions across the peninsula.

Underlying technology is centered on a 25+ year Yucatán Peninsula Spatial Data Infrastructure, the Maya Jungle Observatory web platform (since 2015) for deforestation and emissions monitoring, and the SATIF rule-based early warning system for forest fires. Field methodologies include camera traps, standardized point counts, banding, mist nets, and GIS analysis. The organization operates with a technical team of more than 20 professionals and a 32-member Board of Directors, with measurable outputs including 14 million+ sea turtle hatchlings released, 500,000 hectares of jaguar habitat under monitoring, 1,500 hectares of regenerative agriculture implemented, and 2,500 fire brigade members trained.

The business model is multi-stream and donation-driven. Tax-deductible individual donations are solicited directly and through the GlobalGiving platform (since 2021) and Every.org. Major institutional funders include Kellogg Foundation, FMCN, USAID, USFWS, Green Climate Fund, and MarFund, with corporate partners L'Oréal, BEPENSA, Fundación Slim, and ASUR. Supplementary income is generated through community-based ecotourism (Visit Calakmul cooperative network, Toh Bird Festival) and partner-managed tourism services. Distribution is hybrid: direct community engagement domestically, global digital fundraising channels internationally, and ecotourism operator networks as a productized channel.

Name

Pronatura Península de Yucatán

Legal name

Pronatura Península de Yucatán A.C.

Website

https://pronatura-ppy.org.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pronatura Península de Yucatán A.C. is a Mexican nonprofit founded in 1987 that delivers biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, and sustainable rural development programs across the Yucatán Peninsula, serving government agencies, rural communities, ecotourism operators, and international donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Conservation Parks & Private Nature Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAB), Community-Based & Indigenous-Led Ecotourism (THAAAEAH)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation
• Ecosystem protection
• Wildlife monitoring
• Sustainable development
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Mérida

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting conservation programs, facilitated through direct deposits and online platforms.
2. GlobalGiving Platform: Since 2021, part of GlobalGiving network connecting NGOs with donors worldwide, including matching campaigns like #LittleByLittle.
3. Ecotourism Services: Community-based ecotourism initiatives including bird watching festivals, tours, and visitor programs generating income for local communities and supporting conservation.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pronatura Península de Yucatán is a nonprofit conservation organization (Asociación Civil) that designs and operates long-term species and ecosystem conservation programs in the Yucatán Peninsula, including sustainable management of whale sharks, marine turtle conservation, bird conservation, feline (jaguar and prey) conservation, fire management, rural sustainable development, and the management of the El Zapotal protected natural area for ecotourism. It also maintains the CPIC conservation information system (a spatial data infrastructure) and the SATIF fire early warning system, and runs a citizen conservation council (Consejo Ciudadano) for community engagement. Its offerings are delivered in partnership with government agencies, rural communities, academic institutions, and supported by donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Product overview

Pronatura Península de Yucatán is a nonprofit conservation organization that operates a portfolio of environmental programs rather than a commercial product platform. Its core offerings include eight conservation programs addressing key species (whale sharks, marine turtles, birds, felines), ecosystems (mangroves, dry forests, wetlands), and sustainable development (rural development, fire management, sustainable tourism). Additionally, it manages El Zapotal, a private 4,088-hectare conservation area, and operates two information technology platforms: the Conservation Information Center (CPIC), which maintains a geospatial data infrastructure for the Yucatán Peninsula, and SATIF, an early forest fire alert system. The organization integrates these programs with community engagement, volunteer camps, and donation mechanisms through GlobalGiving and Endaoment platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainable Management of the Whale Shark (Manejo Sustentable del Tiburón Ballena) Long-term program for the sustainable management and conservation of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the waters off the Yucatán Peninsula, delivered in coordination with federal agencies, fishers, and tourism operators.
• Marine Turtle Conservation (Conservación de Tortugas Marinas) Conservation program for marine turtles along Yucatán Peninsula beaches, covering nesting beach monitoring, hatchery management, and community engagement.
• Bird Conservation (Conservación de Aves) Program for the conservation of resident and migratory bird species in the Yucatán Peninsula, using field monitoring techniques including mist nets, banding, and the Maya Jungle Observatory.
• Feline and Prey Conservation (Conservación de Felinos y sus presas) Conservation program targeting felines (notably jaguars) and their prey base in the Yucatán Peninsula, using camera traps and field monitoring to support habitat connectivity and species recovery.
• Citizen Conservation Council (Consejo Ciudadano / Conservación A.C.) Citizen engagement program that mobilizes volunteers and civil society supporters to participate in Pronatura's conservation activities across the Yucatán Peninsula.
• Sustainable Rural Development (Desarrollo Rural Sustentable) Program supporting rural and indigenous communities in the Yucatán Peninsula to develop sustainable livelihoods compatible with biodiversity conservation, including capacity building and productive project support.
• Fire Management (Manejo del Fuego) Forest fire management program that combines the SATIF early warning system with on-the-ground fire management and community-based fire prevention activities across the Yucatán Peninsula.
• Sustainable Tourism / Ecotourism (Turismo Sustentable) Ecotourism offering based at the El Zapotal protected natural area, providing guided nature experiences to visitors while generating sustainable financing for conservation programs.
• Conservation Information / CPIC (Información para la Conservación CPIC) Conservation data platform providing a spatial data infrastructure and geoportal of biogeographic records (25+ years) used to support research, planning, and conservation decision-making across the Yucatán Peninsula.
• El Zapotal Protected Natural Area (AC EL ZAPOTAL) Management of the El Zapotal protected natural area in Yucatán, providing habitat protection, environmental education, and serving as the hub for the organization's ecotourism operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 million+ sea turtle hatchlings released
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• GlobalGivingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Since 2021, Pronatura Península de Yucatán is part of GlobalGiving, a network connecting NGOs with donors worldwide. Through this alliance, more people can support conservation and track the impact of projects. Features campaigns like #LittleByLittle where donations are matched.
• CINVESTAV Unidad MéridacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaboration with Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional for mangrove restoration, working jointly on restoring more than 800 hectares of critical mangrove habitat for bird species.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002The Nature Conservancy supported the acquisition of El Zapotal private conservation area in 2002, representing a key partnership for land conservation in the Yucatán Peninsula.
• Red del Observatorio de la Selva MayacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPronatura PPY forms part of the Maya Jungle Observatory Network with other NGOs, governments and research institutions to generate and share information on deforestation and forest degradation emissions in the Yucatán Peninsula.
• CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Commission of Natural Protected Areas - key government partner for managing protected areas including Ría Celestún, Ría Lagartos, and Yum Balam biosphere reserves.
• CONAFOR (Comisión Nacional Forestal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Forestry Commission - recognized the organization's fire management work nationally. Partner in Regional Action Plan for Fire Management (PAR) across the peninsula.
• TNC (The Nature Conservancy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner collaborating on bird conservation, protected area management and biodiversity monitoring in the Yucatán Peninsula.
• WWFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal conservation organization collaborating on bird conservation strategies and biodiversity protection.
• CICYmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán - research institution partner in bird monitoring and conservation studies.
• UADY (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState university partner in research, monitoring and capacity building for conservation.
• Universidad Marista de MéridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate university collaborating on conservation research and education initiatives.
• ENES MéridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEscuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Mérida - research institution partner.
• Visit CalakmulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of community cooperatives co-created by Pronatura PPY for tourism in Calakmul, diversifying tourism offerings and generating income for local guides and entrepreneurs.
• ASUR (Aeropuertos Sureste)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAirport operator in southeastern Mexico supporting sustainable tourism development.
• SEE TurtlesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational sea turtle conservation organization collaborating on marine turtle protection.
• Center for Wildlife StudiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organization supporting wildlife research and conservation studies.
• Every.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline donation platform providing tax-deductible giving options for donors supporting conservation.
• SDS Yucatán (Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable Yucatán)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState environmental authority in Yucatán collaborating on sustainable development and conservation.
• SEMABICCEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental coordination agency in Campeche supporting regional conservation efforts.
• WRI (World Resources Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal research organization providing data and analysis for environmental management.

Scale indicators31 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Global conservation NGO with Mexico programs focused on biodiversity, marine ecosystems, and indigenous community partnerships. Comparable species- and ecosystem-level interventions at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Global wildlife conservation organization with significant Mexico presence in marine and terrestrial species protection. Comparable jaguuar, sea turtle, and protected-area programs but operating at global scale with a stronger wildlife-research profile.
• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization that develops geospatial and emissions-monitoring platforms (e.g., Global Forest Watch). Active partner of Pronatura on Maya Jungle Observatory deforestation monitoring; highly comparable technology and data-platform mandate at much larger scale.
• BirdLife International: Global bird conservation partnership with national partner organizations across the Americas. Highly comparable bird-monitoring, habitat-protection and Important Bird Areas work in the Yucatán Peninsula via local partners; much larger global network.
• WWF Mexico: Mexican branch of the global conservation network; an active strategic partner on bird conservation and biodiversity protection in the Yucatán Peninsula. Larger, broader portfolio with overlapping species and habitat programs.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Global conservation NGO with deep Mexico operations; supported the original El Zapotal acquisition in 2002 and collaborates on bird and habitat conservation. Larger, multi-country portfolio but overlapping species, land-conservation and stewardship programs.

Direct peers

• Rare: International conservation organization specializing in community-based behavior-change campaigns for fisheries, marine and coastal resource management. Direct peer in the community-driven, ecotourism-linked conservation approach that underpins Pronatura's rural development and bird programs.
• Pronatura A.C. (Federación): Federation of seven regional Pronatura chapters across Mexico including Pronatura Península de Yucatán. Direct peer in governance model, mission, and portfolio of conservation programs; functions as parent/sibling network rather than a competitor.
• Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FMCN): Mexico's leading conservation finance NGO, funding protected areas, species conservation and community stewardship programs. Direct peer in mission and a current financial partner; comparable scale of program funding and donor relationships.
• Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda: Mexican nonprofit conservation organization operating a similar mix of community-based conservation, ecotourism, regenerative rural development, and protected-area management across a defined geographic region (Querétaro). Direct peer in mission, scale, and integrated community-conservation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pronaturappy
• Facebookfacebook.com/PronaturaPeninsuladeYucatan
• Instagraminstagram.com/pronatura.py
• Xx.com/pronatura_pyuc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pronatura-peninsula-yucatan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Pronatura Península de Yucatán