Summit Land Conservancy
Summit Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 2002 and based in Park City, Utah, that preserves open spaces across Northern Utah's Wasatch Back through voluntary conservation easements, federal grant partnerships, and individual and corporate philanthropy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersPark City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Summit Land Conservancy does
Summit Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 2002 and headquartered in Park City, Utah. It is the only locally-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving open spaces across Northern Utah's Wasatch Back, working across four counties (Weber, Summit, Wasatch, and adjacent areas) to place voluntary conservation easements on private lands and manage preserved properties. The organization has protected 25,592 acres since inception through 63 permanent conservation easements, 2 preserves, and 27 working farms, delivering quantified environmental outcomes including 48,000 metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions annually and the protection of drinking water sources serving 2.7 million Utah residents via the Great Salt Lake watershed.
The organization's core activities are structured around a 12-step conservation easement process and a portfolio of community engagement programs, including Stewardship Saturdays, Moon Shine Adventures, and the S.A.V.E. Ambassadors volunteer program. Funding is diversified across individual donations (with structured Society tiers from $1,000 to $10,000+ annually), corporate sponsorships at three tiers ($10K, $25K, $50K), a Living for Open Space cause-marketing program that has generated $460,000 from local business partners, and federal grants. Since 2011 the organization has leveraged $33.6M–$52.2M in federal funds depending on the source, including a $9.4M RCPP award in 2020 and a record $22.4M NRCS grant in November 2023 for the Kamas Valley Meadows project. The Utah Headwaters Initiative, a $100M multi-stakeholder program in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Bear River Land Conservancy, and Ogden Valley Land Trust, anchors a five-year plan — the For The Future Fund — to triple protected acreage to 36,000 acres.
Core technology is non-digital: conservation easement legal frameworks, federal program administration (USDA NRCS, Land Trust Accreditation Commission), and land stewardship methodologies. The organization holds two key regulatory credentials — USDA NRCS Certified Entity status (one of only 37 nationally) and Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation (first in Utah, 2011; renewed 2023) — that grant streamlined access to federal funding. Operating with approximately 15 staff led by CEO Cheryl Fox and CFO Marcia Griffiths, the organization is governed by a volunteer board and operates a community-led go-to-market model in which landowner relationships, donor stewardship, and local-government partnerships drive its $100M Utah Headwaters Initiative pipeline.
Summit Land Conservancy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Summit Land Conservancy
- Legal name
- Summit Land Conservancy
- Website
- https://wesaveland.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Summit Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 2002 and based in Park City, Utah, that preserves open spaces across Northern Utah's Wasatch Back through voluntary conservation easements, federal grant partnerships, and individual and corporate philanthropy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Summit Land Conservancy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Land Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)
Keywords
Where Summit Land Conservancy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Park City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Summit Land Conservancy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Contributions: The organization raises funds from individual donors through various programs including monthly giving, one-time gifts, and legacy giving through the Bristlecone Society and Summit Society donor recognition programs.
- Annual Business Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at three tiers: Peak Sponsor ($50,000), Alpine Sponsor ($25,000), and Meadow Sponsor ($10,000). Sponsors receive recognition at three premier annual events.
- Living for Open Space Program: Local businesses participate by adding optional donations at checkout, donating per transaction, contributing percentage of proceeds, or hosting give-back days. Partners have contributed $460,000 to conservation efforts.
- Federal and Government Grants: Major federal funding through programs like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In 2020, received $9.4 million award. In 2023, received $22.4 million grant for Kamas Valley Meadows. Since 2011, has leveraged over $33.6 million in federal funds.
- Conservation Easement Fees: Landowners who place conservation easements on their property may receive compensation or donate a portion of the easement value. The organization works with funding sources to support these transactions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Giving Program |
| Subscription | Annual | Peak Sponsorship - $50,000 annually |
| Subscription | Annual | Alpine Sponsorship - $25,000 annually |
| Subscription | Annual | Meadow Sponsorship - $10,000 annually |
| Subscription | Annual | Summit Society Donor - $1,000+ annually |
| Subscription | Annual | Peak Society Donor - $2,500+ annually |
| Subscription | Annual | Ultra Summit Society Donor - $5,000+ annually |
| Subscription | Annual | Crown Summit Society Donor - $10,000+ annually |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Summit Land Conservancy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Summit Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that places voluntary conservation easements on private property across Northern Utah's Wasatch Back, permanently protecting working farms, ranches, and natural landscapes from development. The organization delivers a structured 12-step easement placement process for landowners, ongoing stewardship and monitoring of protected lands, and broader watershed protection through the Utah Headwaters Initiative targeting the Weber, Provo, and Bear River watersheds that feed the Great Salt Lake. It supports this work through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, federal grants, and community engagement programs.
Product overview
Summit Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust organization established in 2002, dedicated to preserving open spaces across Northern Utah. Rather than offering a technology product or SaaS platform, the organization provides land conservation services including conservation easements, land preservation programs, and community engagement initiatives. Their primary programmatic offerings consist of the Utah Headwaters Initiative (a $100 million watershed protection program), the For The Future Fund (targeting 36,000 acres across four counties), and various donor programs including the Bristlecone Society legacy giving program and Summit Society annual donor recognition tiers. The organization manages 63 permanent conservation easements and two preserves covering 25,592 acres.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Utah Headwaters Initiative: A major conservation initiative focusing on enhancing agricultural and environmental resources within the headwaters of the Weber, Provo, and Bear River Watersheds to save the Great Salt Lake.
- For The Future Fund
Products and services
- Conservation Easement Placement Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 25,592 acres of open land permanently protected since 2002
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Summit Land Conservancy
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Summit Land Conservancy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Summit Land Conservancy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicecoreThrough the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), received $9.4 million in 2020 to support the Utah Headwaters Initiative. NRCS provides funding and technical assistance for conservation easements and land management activities. Partnership enables access to federal Agricultural Conservation Easement Program dollars.
- The Nature ConservancymajorPartner in the Utah Headwaters Initiative working to protect watersheds feeding the Great Salt Lake. Collaborates on watershed protection strategies and conservation efforts across the region.
- Bear River Land ConservancymajorPartner organization working on watershed protection in the Bear River watershed, one of the three main tributaries of the Great Salt Lake.
- Ogden Valley Land TrustmajorRegional partner in land conservation efforts, particularly focused on the Weber River watershed and Ogden Valley area.
- Summit County Open Space Advisory CommitteecoreLocal government partner providing guidance and support for open space preservation efforts in Summit County. Joint efforts on trail protection and recreation access.
- Wasatch County Wasatch Open Lands BoardcoreLocal government partner guiding open space preservation in Wasatch County. Essential partner in multi-county conservation initiatives.
- Utah Department of Natural ResourcesmajorState agency partner in the Utah Headwaters Initiative working to protect natural resources and watersheds across Northern Utah.
- Utah Department of Water QualitymajorState partner focused on water quality protection through watershed conservation and agricultural land management.
- Utah Department of Agriculture and FoodmajorState partner supporting preservation of working agricultural lands and farms through conservation easements.
- Mountain Trails FoundationmajorPartner organization for trail protection and outdoor recreation access. Good resource for latest updates on Park City's trails that traverse protected open spaces.
- Deer Valley ResortmajorMajor resort partner protecting open space and recreation access in Empire Canyon. Protects trails and scenic views important to resort operations.
- Park City MunicipalcoreCity government partner in open space preservation and trail protection initiatives.
- Basin RecreationcoreRecreation district partner in Summit County for trail and open space protection. Joint projects on Weber River Pathway.
- HighWestminorMeadow Annual Sponsor ($10,000 level). Local business partner in the Living for Open Space program supporting conservation through event sponsorship.
- Vail Resorts Epic PromiseminorMeadow Annual Sponsor ($10,000 level). Major resort company partner in conservation efforts through Epic Promise program.
- Park City MountainminorMeadow Annual Sponsor ($10,000 level). Ski resort partner in Living for Open Space program.
- Park City LodgingminorLiving for Open Space partner business supporting conservation through optional customer donations or percentage of proceeds.
- JANS Mountain OutfittersminorLiving for Open Space partner outdoor gear retailer supporting conservation through cause marketing.
- White Pine TouringminorLiving for Open Space partner outdoor recreation business.
- Cole SportminorLiving for Open Space partner outdoor gear and apparel retailer.
- Offset Bier Co.minorLiving for Open Space partner craft brewery supporting conservation.
- SMMT OutdoorminorLiving for Open Space partner outdoor company.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Summit Land Conservancy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Summit Land Conservancy social profiles
Digital presenceSummit Land Conservancy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Summit Land Conservancy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Summit Land Conservancy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Summit Land 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 Summit Land Conservancy
What does Summit Land Conservancy do?
Summit Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that places voluntary conservation easements on private property across Northern Utah's Wasatch Back, permanently protecting working farms, ranches, and natural landscapes from development. The organization delivers a structured 12-step easement placement process for landowners, ongoing stewardship and monitoring of protected lands, and broader watershed protection through the Utah Headwaters Initiative targeting the Weber, Provo, and Bear River watersheds that feed the Great Salt Lake. It supports this work through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, federal grants, and community engagement programs.
Is Summit Land Conservancy a public or private company?
Summit Land Conservancy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Summit Land Conservancy founded?
Summit Land Conservancy was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Summit Land Conservancy based?
Summit Land Conservancy is headquartered in Park City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Summit Land Conservancy make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are annual Business Sponsorships, living for Open Space Program, federal and Government Grants and conservation Easement Fees.
Does Summit Land Conservancy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Summit Land Conservancy.
What industry is Summit Land Conservancy in?
Summit Land Conservancy's product category is Land Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas, with a secondary code of AFAMAMAH, Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 800.