Southeast Alaska Land Trust

What Southeast Alaska Land Trust does

Southeast Alaska Land Trust (SEALT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1995 and headquartered in Juneau, Alaska, operating across Southeast Alaska from Yakutat to Metlakatla. The organization manages 44 conservation sites and operates with a five-person staff, holding Land Trust Alliance Accreditation as a marker of adherence to national land trust standards. SEALT's core activities span three integrated service lines: conservation easement acquisition and stewardship, fee-simple land acquisition, and the operation of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Mitigation Program that has been continuously active since 1998.

Within the ILF program, SEALT provides compensatory mitigation credits to permittees whose projects impact aquatic resources across four USACE service areas in Southeast Alaska. The current credit inventory includes 140 wetland credits and, following a November 2022 USACE instrument expansion, 4,500 newly authorized stream credits. Pricing is set under USACE-approved rates rather than market-driven prices. SEALT has also developed proprietary technical tools to support its work: the WESPAK-SE wetland assessment calculator (version 2.1, updated 2022) and the NATAK-SE nearshore assessment methodology, both used by practitioners and regulators for consistent environmental evaluation in the region.

Revenue is generated through a combination of mitigation credit sales, grants, individual and corporate donations, membership dues, and returns from the Legacy Fund endowment established in 2016. The organization does not operate as a fee-for-service business; it is mission-driven, with credit sales priced at USACE-approved rates and donations/endowment returns used to cover stewardship, monitoring, and acquisition costs. Customer segments include private landowners donating or selling easements, contributing members and donors, community groups, and government and private permittees purchasing mitigation credits, with named stakeholders including the City and Borough of Juneau and the Juneau Airport.

Name

Southeast Alaska Land Trust

Legal name

Southeast Alaska Land Trust

Website

https://southeastalaskalandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southeast Alaska Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1995 in Juneau, Alaska, managing 44 conservation sites and operating a USACE In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Program across Southeast Alaska. It serves private landowners, government, and private permittees through conservation easements, land acquisition, and compensatory mitigation credits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB), Conservation & Protected Land Brokerage (Easements, Land Trust Sales) (BPAJADAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easements
• Wetlands mitigation
• Habitat preservation
• Land stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Juneau

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Memberships and Private Donations: Member-supported nonprofit organization. Private donors (members) provide crucial financial support. Evergreen Society requires $1,000+/year for 3+ years or $5,000+ single commitment.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Grants from governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations. Primarily fund specific projects and go directly to those projects.
3. Wetlands Mitigation Credits: In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Program provides compensatory mitigation for impacts to wetlands and streams. SEALT has up to 140 advance credits and 4,500 advance stream credits available for sale. Operated successfully since 1998 with 100% success rate.
4. Legacy Fund: Established 2016 with proceeds from bequest from Marjory and Edgar Huizer estate. Invested by financial firm to provide stream of annual income for general operations and land conservation in perpetuity.
5. Conservation Easement Transactions: Landowners may donate or sell conservation easements. Donations may provide federal income tax benefits. Bargain sales allow landowners to receive both compensation and tax benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Southeast Alaska Land Trust permanently conserves natural spaces in Southeast Alaska through voluntary conservation easements, outright land acquisition, and bargain sales from private landowners. It also operates a compensatory In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, selling advance wetland and stream credits to permittees who must offset unavoidable impacts under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Supporting these services are the proprietary WESPAK-SE and NATAK-SE functional assessment tools, developed specifically for Southeast Alaska wetland and nearshore conditions.

Product overview

Southeast Alaska Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust organization (501(c)(3)) offering a portfolio of land conservation services and programs. Core offerings include Conservation Easements (voluntary legal agreements permanently limiting land use), Land Acquisition (direct purchase of conservation land), and an In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Mitigation Program in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The organization provides functional assessment tools (WESPAK-SE for wetlands and NATAK-SE for nearshore areas) that calculate mitigation credits and debits. Funding programs include the Acquisition Fund for direct land purchases, Legacy Fund for operational endowment, Evergreen Society major donor program, and Planned Giving options. The network comprises 44 conservation sites across Southeast Alaska, including the Mendenhall Wetlands complex. Additional offerings include a Volunteer Land Steward program, Community Events, and an educational Mendenhall Wetlands StoryMap. This is a nonprofit organization focused on land conservation rather than a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Easements A voluntary legal agreement between a property owner and SEALT that permanently limits uses of the property to protect its natural, recreational, open space, or historic values; offered to private landowners who wish to keep ownership while gaining federal income, estate, and property tax benefits.
• In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Mitigation Program A compensatory mitigation program operated in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that sells advance wetland and stream credits to permittees needing to offset unavoidable impacts to waters and wetlands in Southeast Alaska under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Up to 140 advance wetland credits and 4,500 advance stream credits are available.
• Land Acquisition Direct purchase of land with conservation value from private landowners—either at fair market value or via bargain sale—to permanently protect natural spaces, with proceeds potentially partially tax-deductible for the seller.
• WESPAK-SE (Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol for Southeast Alaska) A regionally-specific, science-based rapid assessment tool for evaluating the functions and values of wetland sites in Southeast Alaska, used for landscape assessment, impact analysis, mitigation planning, and conservation actions.
• NATAK-SE (Nearshore Assessment Tool for Southeast Alaska) A functional assessment tool for rapidly evaluating the functions and values of nearshore (marine and estuarine) sites in Southeast Alaska, including the intertidal zone and immediately adjoining upland areas.
• Legacy Fund An endowment fund that invests private charitable donations to produce ongoing income for SEALT's general operations and perpetual stewardship of conserved lands.
• Acquisition Fund A restricted fund dedicated to acquiring priority parcels for conservation, enabling SEALT to respond rapidly to land purchase opportunities and to leverage grant funding.
• Evergreen Society A donor recognition program for members contributing $1,000 or more annually for 3+ consecutive years, or a single commitment of $5,000+, with unrestricted donations supporting operations and providing match funding for grants.
• Planned Giving Legacy giving options including bequests through wills or living trusts, IRA rollovers, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable lead trusts, gift annuities, and securities donations.
• Conservation Sites Network A network of 44 protected conservation sites across Southeast Alaska—including wetlands, forests, tidal lands, and wildlife habitats—each permanently protected through conservation easements or fee ownership and stewarded in perpetuity by SEALT.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% success rate over 25 years for mitigation projects during monitoring and long-term management
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022SEALT operates an In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Program in partnership with USACE to offset unavoidable impacts to waters and wetlands. SEALT signed new instrument with USACE in November 2022, expanding program with four new service areas, stream credits, updated assessment tools, and streamlined credit transaction process.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011USFWS provided funding and support for development of WESPAK-SE (2011) and NATAK-SE tools through Coastal Impact Assistance Program grant. Also partnered on 2021 StoryMap of Mendenhall Wetlands.
• City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partnered with SEALT as part of City's efforts to prepare wetlands management plan for Juneau area. 2013-2015 WESPAK-SE update coordinated with CBJ.
• Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership (SEAKFHP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with SEAKFHP to develop online GIS module for public access to wetland and land cover information.
• Discovery SoutheastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2021, partnered with Discovery Southeast to produce StoryMap featuring Mendenhall Wetlands and Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge.
• Juneau Audubon SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for annual bird walks at Sunny Point wetlands. JAS volunteers and expert birders facilitate local bird conservation activities.
• Litter FreeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity cleanup partnership for the Juneau Community Cleanup initiative.
• Alaskan Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Fall Clean-Up Event to restore Lemon Creek area.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Land Trust Alliance: National umbrella organization that provides accreditation, standards, and capacity support to U.S. land trusts. SEALT is accredited by the Alliance, making it a governing/enabling peer rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust: Alaska-based land trust focused on conservation in the Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska. Closely comparable to SEALT as a small, regionally-scoped land trust using conservation easements and stewardship to protect natural and cultural resources.
• Southeast Alaska Conservation Council: Grassroots conservation advocacy organization serving the same Southeast Alaska geography as SEALT. Operates in adjacent conservation space (advocacy rather than land transactions), but shares donor base, partners, and mission focus.
• Great Land Trust: Anchorage-based Alaska land trust conserving natural areas, wetlands, and wildlife habitat across Southcentral Alaska. Directly comparable to SEALT as a regional Alaska land trust with easement, acquisition, and stewardship programs serving a different but adjacent geography.
• Alaska Conservation Foundation: Statewide nonprofit that supports Alaska conservation organizations through grantmaking and capacity-building. Adjacent to SEALT's mission and a likely funder/peer in the Alaska conservation ecosystem, though operating as a grantmaker rather than a direct land trust.

Broad incumbents

• Ducks Unlimited: National wetlands conservation organization with an established mitigation banking program and deep USACE partnership history. Overlaps with SEALT in wetlands mitigation credit sales and Section 404 compensatory mitigation, though Ducks Unlimited operates nationally and at much larger scale.
• National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation organization with significant Alaska presence and Pacific Flyway conservation work, including at the Mendenhall Wetlands (overlap with SEALT's flagship site). Comparable in conservation mission and bird-habitat focus, though much broader in geographic scope.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation organization that holds conservation easements, acquires land, and operates mitigation programs at scale. Comparable to SEALT in mission (permanent land conservation) and tools (science-based conservation), but vastly larger in scope, capital, and geography.

Direct peers

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that works with landowners on conservation easements, direct land acquisition, and community-led conservation across the U.S. Most directly comparable to SEALT in service offering (easements + acquisition) and customer base (private landowners), though operating at much broader scale.
• Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that partners with landowners, agencies, and communities on conservation real estate transactions, including working forests and mitigation projects. Directly comparable to SEALT in easement/acquisition work and USACE-adjacent mitigation activity, though at far larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/southeastalaskalandtrust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Southeast Alaska Land Trust