Mordecai Land Trust, Inc

What Mordecai Land Trust, Inc does

Mordecai Land Trust, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity established in July 2001 and headquartered in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Its mission is to protect, preserve, maintain, and restore Mordecai Island's shoreline, habitats, and species, and to create public awareness of the island through education and scientific research. The Trust holds sole ownership of Mordecai Island, transferred from Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in 2002 for $1 under a deed restricting use to open-space preservation and education. The island has shrunk from approximately 67 acres in the 1930s to roughly 45 acres today due to erosion accelerated by the 1945 Intracoastal Waterway relocation, with current erosion rates of 3-4 feet per year along the western edge.

The organization's core technical work centers on living shoreline solutions, including geotubes (600-foot fabric tubes filled with mason sand), wave attenuation devices (pyramidal concrete blocks), oyster castles (interlocking concrete blocks with crushed oyster shell), marsh sills, and the forthcoming US Army Corps of Engineers rubble mound breakwater (~3,000 linear feet). Habitat programs include Terrapin Garden nesting habitat for Northern Diamondback Terrapins, Osprey nesting platforms, Bald Eagle and American Oystercatcher monitoring, and weekly avian/non-avian species surveys from late March through early September. The Trust operates on an all-volunteer basis with no paid staff, supported by a Board of Trustees including President Linda L. Colgan and three Vice Presidents.

Revenue is generated through five streams: tax-deductible donations from individuals, tiered membership dues ($25-$1,000 across Terrapin through Osprey levels), annual fundraising events (Bay Bash at $85/ticket, Caribbean Sunset at $75/ticket, House Tour cocktail parties), branded merchandise (notecards, dish cloths, raffle tickets), and government grants under the USACE Continuing Authorities Program 1135 framework, which provides 75% federal cost share on the $6.6M Ecosystem Restoration Project with NJDEP covering 75% of the remaining non-federal share. Strategic partners include USACE, NJDEP, NOAA, USFWS, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, ReClam the Bay, Project Terrapin, and Richard Stockton Coastal Research Center.

Name

Mordecai Land Trust, Inc

Legal name

Mordecai Land Trust, Inc.

Website

https://mordecailandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mordecai Land Trust is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that owns and preserves Mordecai Island in Beach Haven, NJ, serving coastal conservation through living shoreline projects, wildlife habitat restoration, and a US Army Corps of Engineers-led ecosystem restoration partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coastal Conservation Services

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Coastal conservation
• Habitat restoration
• Living shoreline
• Erosion mitigation
• Wildlife conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Beach Haven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting coastal conservation and habitat preservation efforts on Mordecai Island.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers (Terrapin $25-50, Sanderling $100, Oystercatcher $500, Osprey $1000) providing benefits including newsletter access, guided island visits, and event registration discounts.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including Bay Bash ($85 tickets), Caribbean Sunset Fundraiser ($75 tickets), Love Boat Fundraiser ($75 tickets), and house tour cocktail parties. Events feature live music, auctions, and dining.
4. Grants and Government Funding: Funding from government sources including US Army Corps of Engineers (75% of breakwater project costs), NJDEP (75% of local cost share), and potentially NOAA partnerships for environmental research.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including notecards ($10), reusable dish cloths ($5), and raffle tickets ($25 for 20 tickets).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mordecai Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects, preserves, maintains, and restores the shoreline, habitats, and species of Mordecai Island through living shoreline construction (geotubes, oyster castles, wave attenuation devices), habitat restoration programs for Osprey, Bald Eagles, American Oystercatchers, and Northern Diamondback Terrapins, and large-scale engineering partnerships with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The organization funds its mission through tax-deductible donations, tiered memberships, fundraising events, and government grants.

Product overview

Mordecai Land Trust is a non-profit conservation organization (not a technology company) that offers a portfolio of environmental programs and services focused on protecting Mordecai Island. The core offerings include island monitoring and habitat preservation programs, a tiered membership program (Terrapin through Osprey levels), annual fundraising events (Bay Bash, Miles for Mordecai, Love Boat), and volunteer opportunities. Technical conservation projects include Oyster Castle Living Breakwater installations, Wave Attenuation Devices (WADs), Geotube Breakwater structures, Terrapin Garden nesting habitat, and the ongoing USACE Ecosystem Restoration Project. The organization also offers merchandise for supporters. These programs collectively work toward shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, and wildlife conservation objectives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program offered to individuals at five tiers (Terrapin $25 student / $50, Sanderling $100, Oystercatcher $500, Osprey $1,000) providing benefits such as newsletter access, guided island visits, Swedish dishcloths, magnets, notecards, and Bay Bash ticket inclusions.
• Bay Bash Annual Fundraiser Annual flagship fundraising event (25th anniversary in 2026) featuring food, open bar, live music, and silent auction, held at Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven, NJ, with $85 tickets sold via Eventbrite and at the LEHYC office.
• Miles for Mordecai Community Walk Free-for-members annual community walk and educational event on Mordecai Island featuring family-friendly guided walks focused on preservation of the island.
• Volunteer Programs On-island and off-island volunteer opportunities for hands-on conservation work, including island monitoring, cleanup activities, oyster upweller maintenance, shell bag transport, and conservation project assistance.
• Mordecai Land Trust Conservation Programs Core portfolio of conservation programs encompassing island preservation, habitat restoration, living shoreline solutions, weekly wildlife monitoring (March 29 - September 1), and environmental education initiatives focused on protecting Mordecai Island's ecosystems.
• Branded Merchandise Commemorative merchandise sold via PayPal on the website, including notecards at $10 per pack, reusable Swedish dishcloths at $5 each, and raffle tickets at $25 for a sheet of 20, supporting fundraising at events.
• Guided Member Island Visits Members-only benefit offering guided tours of Mordecai Island with Trust guides, arranged via direct email contact.
• Caribbean Sunset Fundraiser Fundraising event open bar, Caribbean menu, live music, and auction, with tickets priced at $75 per person.
• Love Boat Fundraiser Fundraising event with $75 per-person tickets supporting coastal conservation efforts.
• House Tour and Cocktail Party Fundraiser Fundraising event that has historically sold over 400 tickets, a record for the Trust, supporting local cost share for the Breakwater Project.

Quantifiable outcome

• Erosion reduced to 3-4 feet per year through living shoreline interventions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

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

• US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The US Army Corps of Engineers is the primary government partner for the Mordecai Island Ecosystem Restoration Project under Continuing Authorities Program 1135. USACE provides 75% federal funding (approximately $5 million of $6.6 million project) and technical expertise for breakwater design and construction. The project moved into Design and Implementation Phase in January 2024 with construction estimated for 2025-2027.
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNJDEP serves as Mordecai Land Trust's non-federal partner for the breakwater project. NJDEP is responsible for 75% of the non-federal cost share (approximately $1.245 million of $1.658 million local cost). They provide regulatory oversight and environmental permitting for restoration activities.
• ReClam the Bay (RCTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReClam the Bay is a key operational partner providing oyster upweller technology, shell bags, and living shoreline expertise. RCTB volunteers assist with transporting materials, building structures, and maintaining oyster colonies on Mordecai Island. Partnership includes annual upweller maintenance from June to October.
• Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Osprey conservation including platform design guidance, banding programs (Project RedBand), and wildlife monitoring. Senior Wildlife Biologist Ben Wurst provides expertise on Osprey population management and annual presentations to members.
• New Jersey Fish and Wildlife (NJFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Bald Eagle monitoring project and American Oystercatcher conservation including banding programs and nesting surveys. NJFW conducts annual wildlife monitoring and provides regulatory guidance for protected species.
• Little Egg FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Bald Eagle nest monitoring project conducted in January 2021. Joint initiative with NJFW and MLT to track eagle activity on Mordecai Island.
• Project TerrapincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Northern Diamondback Terrapin conservation including nesting habitat creation (Terrapin Garden) and egg relocation programs. Joint work with Terrapin Nesting Project to relocate eggs from at-risk nests for incubation at Mordecai Island.
• Terrapin Nesting ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for terrapin conservation including nesting site management and population monitoring. Collaborates with Project Terrapin and MATES for egg relocation and habitat restoration.
• Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club (LEHYC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLEHYC serves as the primary venue for Bay Bash fundraisers, annual meetings, and community events. Located at 401 Berkeley Avenue, Beach Haven. The yacht club originally formed the Environmental Protection Committee in 1998 that led to MLT's founding and transferred island ownership to the Trust in 2002 for $1.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and USACE's Engineering With Nature (EWN) Program to track changes in island surface elevation, shoreline position, and monitor nearshore biological communities. Part of beneficial use strategies research nationwide.
• Richard Stockton Coastal Research CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted erosion study of Mordecai Island in 2000 under Director Dr. Stewart Farrell. Provided technical analysis and breakwater design proposal in 2001 that formed basis for USACE project approach.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for wildlife monitoring, species protection, and conservation research. Field Supervisor Eric Schrading participated in site visits to assess island conditions and erosion impacts.
• The Nature ConservancyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssisted with transporting and building new Marsh Sill using interlocking oyster castles. Crew participation in conservation projects.
• Atlantic City Electric (ACE)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssisted RCTB with transporting and building new Marsh Sill structure near southwest arrays of oyster castles.
• MATES (Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent environmental academy partnership for Project Terrapin and terrapin nesting conservation. Joint initiatives for habitat restoration and educational programs.
• Barnegat Bay PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector Stan Hales participated in fall site visit to Mordecai Island to assess preservation efforts and erosion conditions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National land trust that works with communities to protect land for public use, including coastal and habitat preservation. Comparable operating model (land acquisition, conservation easements, government partnerships) at significantly larger scale.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit that acquires and manages conservation lands, including coastal and island habitats. Comparable as a much larger land-conservation organization with whom Mordecai already partners on oyster castle marsh sill construction; provides broad-incumbent reference point for scaling land trust operations.
• Ducks Unlimited: Large wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation organization. Comparable in mission overlap (wetlands, marsh, coastal habitat) but operates at much larger scale with significant government partnership funding.
• National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation nonprofit with extensive coastal and island sanctuary network. Broad-incumbent peer; aligned on avian species protection (osprey, oystercatcher) and habitat conservation mission.

Emerging players

• Surfrider Foundation: Coastal and beach conservation organization focused on water quality, beach access, and shoreline protection. Overlaps on coastal preservation but emphasizes advocacy and water quality rather than land ownership.

Direct peers

• New Jersey Conservation Foundation: Statewide land trust in New Jersey focused on preserving natural lands, farmland, and watersheds. Most direct geographic peer; operates a similar mix of land acquisition, habitat protection, and government partnership-driven conservation in the same state.
• Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey: New Jersey wildlife conservation nonprofit focused on threatened and endangered species including osprey, bald eagles, and terrapins. Direct peer; already an active Mordecai partner (Project RedBand banding, osprey platform guidance, annual presentations).
• American Littoral Society: Coastal conservation organization based in New Jersey focused on beaches, bays, and barrier islands. Highly comparable mission and geographic footprint; advocates for shoreline protection and habitat restoration across the Jersey Shore.

Regional players

• Barnegat Bay Partnership: EPA National Estuary Program for Barnegat Bay covering the same watershed as Mordecai Island. Already an MLT partner (Director Stan Hales participated in site visits); comparable geographic scope and estuary-coastal-habitat mission.
• Island Beach State Park: New Jersey state park preserving a barrier island ecosystem adjacent to Barnegat Bay. Comparable coastal habitat protection mission within the same regional geography; differs in being publicly operated rather than a private land trust.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MordecaiMatters
• Instagraminstagram.com/mordecai_land_trust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Mordecai Land Trust, Inc