Natural Areas Conservancy
Natural Areas Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conserves and manages New York City's 20,000 acres of urban forests and wetlands through ecological research, trail stewardship, workforce development, and the 29-city national Forests in Cities network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersNew York, NY, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Natural Areas Conservancy does
Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 and headquartered in Rego Park, Queens, New York, operating as the city's first and only park conservancy dedicated specifically to urban natural areas—20,000 acres of forests and wetlands across all five boroughs. The organization combines applied ecological research, on-the-ground restoration and trail maintenance, advocacy, and workforce development. Its core technology assets include the NYC Nature Map (an interactive visualization of forest and wetland coverage built on a 3-ft resolution raster dataset classifying 100% of NYC's land into 16 ecological classes), the FIRST Tool (a web-based forest identification and species-selection system with 36 climate-adapted planting palettes), and the Forests in Cities Climate Tool (a NOAA-data-driven climate visualization platform). The Forests in Cities national network, launched in 2019, now spans 29 U.S. metro areas representing 300,000 acres of urban natural areas and 26.7M residents.
NAC operates a diversified revenue model anchored by foundation and corporate grants, with major institutional funders including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, ConEdison, the Leon Levy Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Pinkerton Foundation, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the New York Community Trust. Secondary revenue streams include individual donations, corporate sponsorship and employee volunteering programs, and the annual NYC Nature 5K fundraiser (with Gold $10K / Silver $5K / Bronze $2.5K sponsorship tiers). The organization serves multiple segments: NYC Parks and government agencies (primary operational partner), corporate partners seeking CSR/ESG engagement, STEM students and young professionals (via the CUNY-partnered Urban NEST internship and fellowship pipeline and the high school SUN internship program), volunteers and community members (via the Super Steward Urban PATH Program with 150+ trained Pathkeepers), and partner conservancies and coalitions. NAC holds a Candid Platinum Transparency Badge and a four-star Charity Navigator rating as of 2025.
Natural Areas Conservancy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Natural Areas Conservancy
- Legal name
- Natural Areas Conservancy Inc.
- Website
- https://naturalareasnyc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Natural Areas Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conserves and manages New York City's 20,000 acres of urban forests and wetlands through ecological research, trail stewardship, workforce development, and the 29-city national Forests in Cities network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Natural Areas Conservancy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Urban Conservation and Natural Areas Management
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Facilities Maintenance & Environmental Services (Waste, Water, Trail Maintenance, Restrooms) (THAAAGAI)
Keywords
Where Natural Areas Conservancy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York, NY
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Natural Areas Conservancy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting natural areas preservation, with various giving methods including online, check, wire transfer, and donor-advised funds.
- Event Sponsorships and Registrations: Revenue from the annual NYC Nature 5K event including individual registrations, walker fees, and corporate sponsorships at Gold ($10,000), Silver ($5,000), and Bronze ($2,500) tiers.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships, employee volunteering programs, tree planting partnerships, lunch and learn sessions, and grants from foundations and corporations.
- Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from government agencies, public institutions, and private foundations supporting research, restoration, and workforce development programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time payment | Gold Sponsorship - $10,000 for NYC Nature 5K |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time payment | Silver Sponsorship - $5,000 for NYC Nature 5K |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time payment | Bronze Sponsorship - $2,500 for NYC Nature 5K |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Natural Areas Conservancy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Natural Areas Conservancy provides applied ecological research, urban forest and wetland restoration, nature-trail planning and maintenance, conservation technology tools, public education, advocacy, and paid environmental workforce training. Its work is delivered through partnerships with New York City agencies, corporations, academic institutions, conservancies, and community volunteers.
Product overview
Natural Areas Conservancy operates a platform of conservation technology tools and workforce development programs focused on NYC's urban natural areas. Core products include the NYC Nature Map (interactive visualization of 10,542 acres of forest and 4,988 acres of freshwater wetlands), the FIRST Tool (forest identification and species recommendation system), and the Forests in Cities Climate Tool (NOAA climate data visualization). The organization complements these technology offerings with field programs including the Super Steward Urban PATH trail stewardship initiative and Urban NEST internship programs (SUN high school, college summer, and year-long fellowship tracks), plus downloadable datasets for researchers and practitioners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Forests in Cities Network: A national coalition launched in 2019 to promote and advance healthy forested natural areas in cities across America through science, management, partnerships, and communications. Currently includes 29 metro areas.
- Urban NEST
- Super Steward Urban PATH Program
- FIRST Tool
- NYC Nature Map
Products and services
- NYC Nature Map Interactive web-based mapping platform providing a bird's-eye view of New York City's natural areas, including forests, freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, and streams, with exploration by area, borough, and council district.
- Forest Identification and Restoration Selection Tool (FIRST) Web-based forest-restoration tool that assists planners and land managers in identifying forest types from observed tree species and geographic conditions, then recommends climate-adapted tree species from 36 restoration palettes.
- Forests in Cities Climate Tool Climate-data visualization tool that uses summarized NOAA data to help urban forest practitioners create custom figures showing changes in variables such as maximum temperature and precipitation over time.
- Forests in Cities Network National network platform connecting professionals from 29 U.S. metro areas to advance healthy forested natural areas through science, management, partnerships, and communications, with a resource library for urban forest practitioners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of interns believe they have a future in natural areas management profession
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Natural Areas Conservancy
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Natural Areas Conservancy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Natural Areas Conservancy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- NYC Department of Parks & RecreationcoreFoundational government partner for natural areas management, restoration, and trail maintenance. NAC serves as the dedicated conservancy for NYC's natural areas working closely with NYC Parks on ecological assessments, forest management, and volunteer programs.
- City University of New York (CUNY)corePrimary academic partner for internship program, recruiting CUNY students for research projects year-round. Partnership since 2016 has provided over 150 paid internships to more than 130 students.
- NYC Parks Natural Resources GroupcoreGovernment partner for intern placements and ecological assessment work.
- Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica BaymajorAcademic partner for Urban NEST internship program providing research opportunities.
- National Park ServicemajorFederal partner for Urban NEST internship program research projects.
- New York Botanical GardenmajorPartner for Urban NEST internship program providing research and training opportunities.
- Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks ConservancymajorPartner for Urban NEST internship program in Jamaica Bay area.
- NYC Science Research and Mentoring ConsortiummajorPartner for high school SUN internship recruitment and program support.
- Forest Park TrustcoreKey partner for Forest Park restoration with 7,570 trees and shrubs being planted. Co-host of NYC Nature 5K and partner in high school internship program.
- Greenbelt Nature CentermajorPartner for high school SUN internship in Staten Island's Greenbelt.
- City Parks FoundationmajorPartner for high school SUN internship program.
- Freshkills Park AlliancemajorPartner for high school SUN internship program at Freshkills Park.
- Community Counseling & MediationminorCommunity partner for high school SUN internship program.
- United Activities UnlimitedminorPartner for high school SUN internship program.
- Plant Ecology Center and Nursery (PECAN)minorPartner for high school SUN internship program providing plant ecology expertise.
- Van Cortlandt Park AlliancemajorRegular collaborator on trail maintenance events and community stewardship in Van Cortlandt Park.
- NYC Mountain Bike AssociationminorCity nonprofit partner for trail events and maintenance activities.
- Yale School of the EnvironmentmajorKey academic collaborator on environmental data analysis and mapping projects.
- Central Park ConservancymajorLocal nonprofit partner for joint research and public programming.
- Prospect Park AlliancemajorPartner for forest restoration in Prospect Park, planting 2,068 trees in three forest stands.
- Riverside Park ConservancymajorPartner for forest restoration in Riverside Park, restoring three forest sites totaling 7.5 acres.
- New York Restoration ProjectmajorPartner supporting forest restoration in Highbridge Park with 1,362 trees being planted.
- Play Fair CoalitionmajorKey advocacy partner since 2018 calling for sufficient and sustained funding for NYC parks maintenance, operations, and programming.
- Forest for All NYC CoalitionmajorCoalition of 180+ organizations working to improve urban forest health and equity. NAC staff play key leadership roles.
- Rise to Resilience CoalitionmajorCitywide coalition focused on coastal resiliency where NAC brings wetlands and natural shorelines expertise.
- Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition (SUFC)majorNationwide group increasing visibility of urban forests. NAC provides leadership ensuring forested natural areas are included in urban forestry focus.
- American ForestsmajorNational nonprofit partner for urban forest conservation and stewardship day events.
- The Nature ConservancymajorNational conservation organization partner for environmental initiatives.
- One Tree PlantedmajorPartner for tree planting initiatives including Kissena Park tree equity project.
- Davey Resource GroupminorEnvironmental consulting partner for natural areas work.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Natural Areas Conservancy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Prospect Park Alliance: NYC park conservancy managing Prospect Park; partnered with NAC on forest restoration planting 2,068 trees across three forest stands — directly comparable nonprofit-government partnership structure and donor base.
- Central Park Conservancy: NYC park conservancy responsible for stewardship of Central Park's natural and landscaped areas; operates the same NYC-focused conservancy-plus-government-partnership model as NAC and is a documented employer of NAC internship alumni.
- Van Cortlandt Park Alliance: NYC park alliance in the Bronx partnering with NAC on trail maintenance and stewardship events; operates the same conservancy-government partnership for an individual large park and is a documented NAC intern alumni employer.
- New York Restoration Project: NYC nonprofit focused on urban greening and tree planting that partners with NAC on Highbridge Park restoration (1,362 trees) and hires NAC alumni — directly overlapping mission and donor ecosystem.
- Riverside Park Conservancy: NYC park conservancy partnering with NAC on 7.5-acre forest restoration in Riverside Park; a same-model peer that competes for similar NYC conservation donors and government attention.
- Forest Park Trust: NYC park conservancy co-hosting NAC's 5K and a partner for 7,570-tree restoration in Forest Park; operates at a similar scale and with the same NYC Parks-aligned mission, making it a direct peer.
Broad incumbents
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit working on park access, conservation, and climate resilience; competes for similar urban-greening and parks-equity funding and operates an overlapping national policy advocacy footprint.
- The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit operating across terrestrial and marine conservation; named partner of NAC and competes for the same corporate and foundation conservation funding pool at a much larger scale.
- American Forests: National nonprofit focused on urban and rural forest conservation; a documented NAC partner for stewardship events and a national-level incumbent in urban forestry advocacy.
Emerging players
- Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit placing young adults in conservation internships and crews; directly comparable to NAC's Urban NEST program but at national scale, making it a parallel workforce-development peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Natural Areas Conservancy social profiles
Digital presenceNatural Areas Conservancy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Natural Areas Conservancy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Natural Areas Conservancy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Natural Areas Conservancy 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 Natural Areas Conservancy
What does Natural Areas Conservancy do?
Natural Areas Conservancy provides applied ecological research, urban forest and wetland restoration, nature-trail planning and maintenance, conservation technology tools, public education, advocacy, and paid environmental workforce training. Its work is delivered through partnerships with New York City agencies, corporations, academic institutions, conservancies, and community volunteers.
Is Natural Areas Conservancy a public or private company?
Natural Areas Conservancy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Natural Areas Conservancy founded?
Natural Areas Conservancy was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Natural Areas Conservancy based?
Natural Areas Conservancy is headquartered in New York, NY, United States, in the North America region.
How does Natural Areas Conservancy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are event Sponsorships and Registrations, corporate Partnerships and government and Foundation Grants.
Who are Natural Areas Conservancy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Prospect Park Alliance, Central Park Conservancy, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, New York Restoration Project, Riverside Park Conservancy and Forest Park Trust. Broad incumbents are Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy and American Forests. Student Conservation Association is listed as an emerging player.
Does Natural Areas Conservancy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Natural Areas Conservancy.
What industry is Natural Areas Conservancy in?
Natural Areas Conservancy's product category is Urban Conservation and Natural Areas Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAD, Forestry & Reforestation. Its NAICS code is 712190.