What Playa Lakes Joint Venture does

Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation partnership (EIN 84-1623284) headquartered at 700 Ken Pratt Blvd, Suite 206, PMB 338, Longmont, Colorado. The organization facilitates habitat conservation across the western Great Plains — Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming — with a focus on playas (ephemeral wetlands), native grasslands, and Ogallala Aquifer water resources. Its primary constituents are private agricultural landowners (farmers and ranchers), public land managers, rural communities dependent on groundwater, and energy developers; its delivery model is coalition-based, routing capacity grants, technical assistance, and federal cost-share programs (CRP, WRP, EQIP, NAWCA, Pittman-Robertson) through a network of national NGOs, state wildlife agencies, USDA NRCS, local conservation districts, and corporate sponsors (notably ConocoPhillips and Ørsted).

PLJV's product surface is a portfolio of conservation services rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include Bird Data collection and analysis, a published Implementation Plan, Habitat Work delivery (science-based resources and funding for on-the-ground restoration), and grant administration (ConocoPhillips Capacity Grant Program and NAWCA Grants Support). Its underlying technology is geospatial: an Interactive Playa Map built on ArcGIS overlaying 80,000+ playa locations with energy infrastructure; a Playa Clusters Data Layer based on waterfowl movement patterns to guide energy siting; Renewable Energy Development Tools; and downloadable probable_playas shapefiles. These tools are differentiated by domain specialization rather than technical novelty. Marketing is multi-channel, anchored by The Playa Post newsletter, state-specific microsites (playasworkforkansas.com, playasworkfornewmexico.com, playasworkfortexans.com, and the new Colorado site), video series, field trips, agricultural conferences, and classroom education.

PLJV operates a grant-funded business model. It does not sell products or services in a traditional commercial sense; revenue consists of grants from federal agencies (USDA NRCS, USFWS), foundations (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society), state wildlife departments, and corporate sponsors. Over 19 years, capacity grants have helped protect, restore, or enhance more than 1.5 million acres of habitat, with delivery averaging over 40,000 acres annually in each of the past three years. Specific initiatives include the Texas Playa Conservation Initiative (TxPCI, launched 2017; 3,900+ acres restored by end-2025, returning an estimated 308 million gallons of clean groundwater recharge annually) and the New Mexico Playa Restoration Program (expanded 2023 with $1M in NFWF and Pittman-Robertson funding; ~715 acres restored).

Name

Playa Lakes Joint Venture

Legal name

Playa Lakes Joint Venture

Website

https://pljv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Playa Lakes Joint Venture is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation partnership that coordinates habitat restoration, playa conservation, and Ogallala Aquifer water sustainability across seven western Great Plains states, serving private landowners, public land managers, rural communities, and energy developers through a coalition-based delivery model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Habitat Conservation Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture & Land-Use MRV (Soil carbon, livestock, forestry/REDD+) (EUAHADAI), Ecosystem Service Valuation, Monitoring, Reporting & Verification (MRV) (AFAMAMAG)

Keywords

• Wetland conservation services
• Habitat restoration programs
• Grassland conservation partnerships
• Wildlife habitat conservation
• Geospatial conservation planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Longmont

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: PLJV operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that receives grant funding from foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners to support conservation programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation organization that facilitates partnerships among federal and state agencies, conservation nonprofits, and private landowners to deliver habitat conservation projects across the western Great Plains. It provides technical and financial assistance, geospatial planning tools (interactive playa maps, renewable energy siting tools, downloadable playa data), and administers grant programs such as the ConocoPhillips Capacity Grant Program and NAWCA grants support for playa, grassland, and wetland conservation.

Product overview

Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation organization that operates as a partnership-based approach to habitat conservation in the western Great Plains. Rather than a single unified software product, PLJV offers a portfolio of conservation services including Bird Data collection and analysis, Planning Tools (such as the Implementation Plan), Habitat Work delivery, and Habitat Conservation resources. These services are supported by geospatial tools including Interactive Playa Maps, Renewable Energy Development Tools, and downloadable Playa Data. PLJV also administers the ConocoPhillips Capacity Grant Program and provides NAWCA Grants support to partner organizations. The organization focuses on conservation across six states: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, with primary focus on playas (ephemeral wetlands), grasslands, wetlands, and riparian areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bird Data
• Planning Tools
• Habitat Work
• Interactive Playa Maps
• Renewable Energy Development Tools
• Playa Restoration Guide
• PLJV ConocoPhillips Capacity Grant Program
• NAWCA Grants Support
• Playa Data Downloads

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.5 million acres of habitat protected, restored, or enhanced through capacity grants since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor conservation partner involved in playa restoration, wetland conservation, and habitat protection projects throughout the PLJV region. Ducks Unlimited biologists work directly with landowners and PLJV on implementation of conservation programs.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner providing technical and financial assistance through programs including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Easements, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program for landowners implementing conservation practices.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in the Texas Playa Conservation Initiative, working with landowners to restore playas in the Texas panhandle and High Plains region.
• Oklahoma Conservation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Woody Plant Encroachment project under National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's America Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, addressing invasive woody plants on working lands.
• New Mexico Department of WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in New Mexico Playa Restoration Program providing Pittman-Robertson funding for restoration efforts and collaborating with PLJV and local conservation districts.
• Pheasants Forever and Quail ForeversecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner providing farm bill biologists who advise producers on cost-share programs and habitat management for upland birds.
• The Nature ConservancysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner collaborating on grassland and wetland protection efforts in the region.
• Kansas Department of Wildlife and ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in Kansas conservation efforts including wetland projects and grassland protection.
• New Mexico State Land OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner working with PLJV since 2023 to restore playas located on leased state trust lands.
• Colorado Parks and WildlifesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner collaborating on conservation projects including May Ranch partnerships and public land management.
• Bird Conservancy of the RockiessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner collaborating on bird habitat projects and conservation efforts in Colorado and the region.
• Tomorrow's WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative bringing partners together across the Ogallala region to improve conservation delivery, outreach, and technical assistance for water sustainability.
• Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Local)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal conservation districts across the region provide trusted relationships with landowners and help deliver conservation programs at the local level.
• Kansas Grazing Lands CoalitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity grant recipient focused on building capacity for grazing management and grassland protection in western Kansas through prescribed fire and education.
• Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and StreamssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity grant recipient focused on education about wetlands, streams, and riparian areas, including annual Playa Workshop.
• Oklahoma Prescribed Burn AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity grant recipient working to increase prescribed fire on the Oklahoma landscape through local burn associations and training.
• National Wild Turkey FederationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner working on Cooperative Weed Management Areas and invasive species control in riparian areas.
• ØrstedsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company partner collaborating with PLJV to restore and conserve Texas playas as part of responsible energy development practices.
• City of LeotisecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansas municipality participating in the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project focused on playa restoration near municipal wells.
• City of ClovissecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Mexico municipality working with PLJV on playa conservation to help supply municipal water.
• Kansas Association of Conservation DistrictssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization representing conservation districts in Kansas, major partner in RCPP projects for water conservation.
• Kansas Water OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in Kansas water sustainability and aquifer management efforts.
• Kansas Livestock AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural organization supporting conservation efforts and representing ranchers in conservation partnerships.
• Kansas Prescribed Fire CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting prescribed fire practices for grassland management and wildfire prevention.
• Unified Greeley CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government entity in Kansas participating in water sustainability projects.
• Wichita County Water Conservation AreasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal water conservation initiative working to reduce water use and provide sustainable future for Kansas communities.
• Wichita County CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in Kansas water sustainability and conservation efforts.
• Leoti-Wichita County Future Farmers of America ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFA chapter participating in community conservation and water sustainability education efforts.
• Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural association with strong relationships with landowners across Texas and Oklahoma, supporting conservation easement programs.
• Noble Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural research organization supporting conservation efforts in Texas and Oklahoma.
• Farm BureausecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural organization connecting with landowners for conservation program outreach.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Intermountain West Joint Venture: Bird Habitat Joint Venture covering the interior western U.S. under the same USFWS Joint Venture framework as PLJV; same partnership-driven delivery, planning tools, and Implementation Plan model applied to a different but adjacent geography.
• Rio Grande Joint Venture: Bird Habitat Joint Venture operating in the southwestern U.S. with the same USFWS Joint Venture model that PLJV itself uses, focused on migratory bird habitat delivery through multi-stakeholder partnerships. Near-perfect structural analog, differing only by geography and target species mix.
• Prairie Pothole Joint Venture: Bird Habitat Joint Venture covering the northern prairie pothole region under the same federal Joint Venture umbrella; runs the same partnership-driven habitat delivery model for waterfowl in small wetlands, making it a direct operational peer.
• Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever: Upland bird habitat nonprofit and PLJV partner deploying farm bill biologists to private landowners in the same Great Plains geographies. Directly comparable on grassland bird conservation, capacity grants to local chapters, and farm program delivery for working-lands producers.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation with comparable conservation easement, working-lands, and geospatial planning tools; operates at a similar partnership-driven, science-based delivery model for habitat protection across multiple U.S. regions.
• Ducks Unlimited: Core PLJV strategic partner and one of North America's largest waterfowl/wetland habitat nonprofits. Directly comparable because both run partnership-driven, science-based habitat delivery across overlapping geographies with similar landowner engagement and federal grant administration models.
• Bird Conservancy of the Rockies: Regional bird monitoring and conservation nonprofit and PLJV partner; runs comparable science-based bird data collection, banding stations, and habitat programs across the same Great Plains and Rocky Mountain geographies.
• American Farmland Trust: National nonprofit working on farmland/ranchland protection, soil health, and conservation programs serving agricultural producers. Operates with a comparable producer-engagement model in overlapping geographies and offers a working-lands lens that closely mirrors PLJV's primary customer segment.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global conservation nonprofits and a listed PLJV partner. Broader portfolio spanning all 50 states and dozens of countries, but overlapping grassland/working-lands program work; serves as the established incumbent against which PLJV's regional niche is defined.

Others

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Major grant-making foundation and listed PLJV funder. Adjacent rather than directly competitive because NFWF acts primarily as a funder/intermediary rather than an on-the-ground deliverer, but its grant programs (NFWF America Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Resilient Communities) directly shape PLJV's programmatic funding environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PlayaLakesJV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/playa-lakes-joint-venture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Playa Lakes Joint Venture