Conservation Centers for Species Survival

What Conservation Centers for Species Survival does

Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit consortium founded in 2005 that coordinates large-scale, collaborative endangered species breeding and reintroduction across a network of 11 member conservation institutions and affiliates managing approximately 100,000 acres of naturalistic habitat. The organization operates through two structural pillars: (1) Conservation Center members (≥500 acres, paying $15,000/year for a three-year minimum term) and Associate Members such as zoos and conservation ranches ($5,000/year, three-year minimum), and (2) program-specific alliances including the Cheetah Sustainability Program, Source Population Alliance (SPA), Partnership for Species (PFS), Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program, Cranes Sustainability Program, and North American Species Program.

C2S2's underlying technical stack centers on conservation genomics and reproductive science rather than commercial software. Its Genomics Services perform whole-genome sequencing and population management analyses (including reference genomes for sable antelope, dama gazelle, and scimitar-horned oryx), while its Reproductive Services deliver assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, sperm/embryo sexing, and cryopreservation of gametes, embryos, and tissues. The Source Population Alliance operates a metapopulation database connecting private landowners, AZA-accredited institutions, and conservation centers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

The organization's revenue model is a non-profit mix of individual/corporate/foundation donations, recurring multi-year membership dues, event sponsorships (tiered from $500 Friend level up to $10,000+ Southern Black Rhino level) at the annual meeting, planned giving, and merchandise. The customer base is highly concentrated: a defined roster of large conservation organizations (Fossil Rim, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, White Oak, The Wilds, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Saint Louis Zoo, Disney's Animals Science and Environment, African Lion Safari, Taronga) that act as both revenue contributors and operational delivery partners, supplemented by an individual donor long tail.

Name

Conservation Centers for Species Survival

Legal name

Conservation Centers for Species Survival

Website

https://conservationcenters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit consortium coordinating large-scale endangered species breeding, conservation genomics, and reintroduction programs across an 11-member network managing 100,000 acres of naturalistic habitat.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Species breeding programs
• Endangered species management
• Conservation genomics
• Population sustainability

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Rose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, C2S2 relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors can give online, by check, through Donor Advised Funds, employer matching, or planned giving.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from Conservation Centers ($15,000/year) and Associate Members ($5,000/year) for a minimum three-year term, providing access to collaborative conservation programs.
3. Event Sponsorships: Annual meeting generates sponsorship revenue at multiple tiers (Southern Black Rhino Level $10,000+, Cheetah Level $5,000+, etc.) plus silent auction donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates a collaborative network of 11 conservation centers managing over 100,000 acres for large-scale endangered species breeding, population management, and reintroduction. It delivers species sustainability programs (cheetah, rhino, cranes, North American species), the Source Population Alliance and Partnership for Species metapopulation frameworks, and supporting scientific services in conservation genomics and assisted reproductive technology.

Product overview

Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) is a conservation non-profit organization operating a network of 11 member institutions managing over 100,000 acres of naturalistic space. Rather than a unified software product, C2S2 offers a portfolio of conservation programs organized around three strategic pillars—Grow, Optimize, and Return. The core programs include the Cheetah Sustainability Program (CSP), Cranes Sustainability Program, Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program (SBRSP), North American Species Program, Source Population Alliance (SPA), and Partnership for Species (PFS). Supporting these are science services in Genomics (genomic population management) and Reproductive Services (assisted reproductive technologies). The programs work together to grow endangered species populations, optimize genetic diversity and reproductive success through scientific research, and return animals to wild habitats when possible.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cheetah Sustainability Program (CSP): Program that grows and optimizes the North American cheetah population as an assurance of survival while supporting conservation of cheetahs in the wild.
• Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program (SBRSP)
• Cranes Sustainability Program
• Source Population Alliance (SPA)
• Partnership for Species (PFS)

Products and services

• Cheetah Sustainability Program (CSP) A species sustainability program that grows and optimizes the North American cheetah population as an assurance of survival while supporting in-situ cheetah conservation. Achieved an 85% increase in cheetah births since launch. For conservation centers and zoos participating in the program.
• Cranes Sustainability Program Program focused on creating self-sustaining populations of wattled cranes and other crane species, including artificial insemination training and techniques applied to crane conservation.
• Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program (SBRSP) Partners with the International Rhino Foundation to establish a viable Southern black rhinoceros assurance population, with focus on breeding, research, exhibition, and potential reintroduction to the wild.
• North American Species Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% increase in cheetah births since program began
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2026Co-host of C2S2 Annual Meeting 2026 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Partnership includes event collaboration, shared conservation research, and joint species management programs including the Loggerhead Shrike recovery effort where SDZWA has reared 1,278 and released 898 shrikes to San Clemente Island since 1991.
• AZA Taxon Advisory GroupsminorOthers · 1 January 2023Following AZA assessment resulting in large number of SSP programs losing status, C2S2 established Partnership for Species to manage these species. Not a formal partnership but response to AZA's actions.
• International Rhino Foundation (IRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC2S2 partners with IRF to establish Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Population focusing on breeding, research, exhibition, and potential reintroduction. IRF funds genomic assessment conducted by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey scientific partner providing genomic population management for C2S2 target species. Conducts whole genome sequencing and analysis for Southern Black Rhino and Source Population Alliance species including sable antelope, dama gazelle, and scimitar-horned oryx.
• Environment Agency-Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction, having released over 240 individuals (previously extinct in the wild) many from SPA participants.
• Sahara Conservation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction project, working with Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi on returning species to native habitat.
• Rhino Resilience Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniting stakeholders and science through four pillars: cutting-edge genetic research, advanced fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technologies, immune health exploration, and next-generation biobanking for rhinos.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society: Large, established global wildlife NGO operating zoos and field conservation programs worldwide; comparable mission (species survival) but vastly broader geographic and programmatic scope than C2S2's consortium model.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest conservation NGOs with comparable mission to protect species and habitats, but operating across vastly broader geographies and program areas (lands, water, climate) than C2S2's captive breeding focus.

Emerging players

• Sahara Conservation Fund: Specialized conservation NGO partnering with C2S2 on scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction in North Africa; comparable in species focus (Addax, oryx) and reintroduction mission but narrower geographic and programmatic scope.

Direct peers

• International Rhino Foundation: Strategic partner funding C2S2's Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program and coordinating rhino conservation globally; directly comparable in single-species (rhino) conservation program management.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Conservation Center member and co-host of C2S2's Annual Meeting at San Diego Zoo Safari Park; operates one of the world's largest conservation breeding programs including loggerhead shrike recovery and species reintroduction efforts directly comparable to C2S2's portfolio.
• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: Conservation Center member and key scientific partner; conducts the whole-genome sequencing and population viability analyses underpinning C2S2's genomic management approach for cheetah, rhino, and other species.
• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: Conservation Center member with deep focus on species sustainability and conservation breeding; one of the five C2S2 cheetah breeding centers and a comparable large-accredited-zoo scientific operation.
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Founding Conservation Center member managing large-landscape breeding of scimitar-horned oryx, cheetah, and other C2S2 target species on 1,800+ acres — directly comparable in facility scale, species focus, and program model.
• White Oak Conservation: Conservation Center member focused on rare species recovery, including cheetah and other C2S2 target species; comparable in large-landscape conservation breeding model and scientific program depth.

Regional players

• Taronga Conservation Society Australia: C2S2 Associate Member operating conservation breeding and reintroduction programs across Australia; comparable mission and species focus (e.g., native Australian species alongside shared C2S2 targets) but primarily serves the Australasian region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/C2S2_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/Conservationcenters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conservationcenters-c2s2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Conservation Centers for Species Survival