Michigan Wildlife Conservancy

What Michigan Wildlife Conservancy does

Michigan Wildlife Conservancy is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1982 that operates the 259-acre Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath, near Lansing. The organization conducts habitat restoration across the state — including over 300 wetland restoration projects on private land, lake sturgeon spawning reef construction (Fighting Island and St. Clair River), trout stream improvements, and Karner Blue butterfly habitat work — and runs invasive species programs such as the Michigan Wild Hog Removal Program in partnership with USDA Wildlife Services. Research activities include the Michigan Rare Mammals Project, which uses shelter-rescued detection dogs and DNA analysis in cooperation with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, University of Michigan-Flint, and Potter Park Zoo.

The Conservancy's products and services span educational programs (the BOSS — Becoming Outdoors Smart in Summer — curriculum and summer day camp; NEST schoolyard habitat program with the National Wildlife Federation), membership-based recreation (The Club, offering fishing, archery, disc golf, leagues, and dining on the Bengel property), facility rentals (weddings and events), a Wildlife Pub & Grill, an online retail shop, and a seasonal Wildlife Volunteer publication. All proceeds are reinvested into conservation and habitat preservation.

The business model is a diversified non-profit revenue stack: annual membership subscriptions, individual donations and legacy giving, transaction-based pub and retail sales, league entry fees (~$10/person), and event/facility rentals. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on volunteer engagement, on-site facility experiences at Bengel, educational programming, and partnerships with federal, state, tribal, academic, and NGO entities rather than traditional sales channels.

Name

Michigan Wildlife Conservancy

Legal name

Michigan Wildlife Conservancy

Website

https://miwildlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Michigan-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1982 that operates the 259-acre Bengel Wildlife Center, delivering wetland and habitat restoration, rare mammal research, children's environmental education (BOSS), and schoolyard habitat programs funded by memberships, donations, facility rentals, and an on-site pub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Habitat restoration programs
• Environmental education programs
• Nature center operations
• Conservation nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bath

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Individual donations, membership subscriptions (The Club), and legacy giving programs. Membership provides access to The Club facilities including the Wildlife Pub, fishing, trails, and member events.
2. Wildlife Pub & Grill: On-site restaurant and bar open to members and the public, offering food and beverages with 10% discount for members.
3. Facility Rentals and Events: Wedding venue rentals, event space rentals, and member event dinners at the Bengel Wildlife Center.
4. Retail Shop: Sale of wildlife collectibles, literature, apparel, garden art, stuffed animals, hand-painted animal figurines, and the BOSS Guidebook ($10-$25).
5. League and Event Fees: Entry fees for member leagues including Euchre, Cornhole, and Archery ($10 per person).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Michigan Wildlife Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that conducts wildlife habitat restoration and operates the 259-acre Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath, Michigan. Its offerings span conservation fieldwork, environmental education (including the BOSS education program), a member recreation program called The Club, food and beverage service at the Wildlife Pub, on-site retail, and facility rentals for private events.

Product overview

Michigan Wildlife Conservancy operates as a non-profit focused on wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and environmental education. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including the BOSS (Becoming Outdoors Smart in Summer) educational initiative with a guidebook and summer day camp, The Club membership program providing exclusive access to recreational facilities including fishing, archery, and trails, The Wildlife Volunteer publication for members, and facility rental services. Additional offerings include an online shop selling wildlife-themed merchandise including collectibles, literature, apparel, and donations supporting rare mammal research projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BOSS: Becoming Outdoors Smart in Summer - an innovative nature education program for children in 4th-6th grade teaching skills such as animal tracking, tree and bird identification, and habitat analysis.

Products and services

• Bengel Wildlife Center A 259-acre wildlife center in Bath, Michigan, serving as the operational hub for habitat restoration, public education, member recreation, and visitor amenities. Open to members, donors, visitors, and event renters.
• Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Restoration Core conservation program that restores and manages wildlife habitat on Conservancy lands, conducted in partnership with state and federal wildlife agencies and universities. Targeted at sustaining Michigan's native wildlife and ecosystems.
• BOSS Education Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 wetland restoration projects completed on private land
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in the Michigan Rare Mammals Project - a volunteer-supported effort to study rare mammals including fishers in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
• University of Michigan-FlintcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the Michigan Rare Mammals Project studying rare mammals using DNA analysis and detection dogs.
• Potter Park ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Michigan Rare Mammals Project for studying rare mammal species in Michigan.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in lake sturgeon spawning reef projects including Fighting Island reef ($30,000 contribution) and St. Clair River reef ($75,000 construction grant). The Conservancy was the only U.S. non-profit to make substantial financial contribution to the Fighting Island reef.
• Environment CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner in the first Canada-U.S. jointly funded fish restoration project for lake sturgeon spawning reef at Fighting Island.
• BASF CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial and strategic supporter of lake sturgeon spawning reef construction projects.
• Essex Region Conservation AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian partner in the Fighting Island sturgeon reef international restoration project.
• U.S. Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner in habitat restoration including Bigelow Creek demonstration area, trout stream improvements, and Karner Blue butterfly habitat projects. Provided Wings Across the Americas Award.
• FishAmerica FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder and partner in the Bigelow Creek Habitat Demonstration project in Newaygo.
• Wildlife ForeverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Bigelow Creek Habitat Demonstration project in Newaygo.
• Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree chapters participated in Bigelow Creek Habitat Demonstration project.
• Michigan Pork Producers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial supporter of the Michigan Wild Hog Removal Program.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Michigan Wild Hog Removal Program training citizens to detect and trap wild hogs.
• Natural Resource Conservation ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Michigan Wild Hog Removal Program.
• Clinton CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint funder of Muskrat Lake Wetlands restoration project.
• Timberland Resource Conservation and Development Area CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated hydrologic study and helped obtain state approvals for Muskrat Lake Wetlands project.
• Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in trout stream restoration projects and grayling restoration planning.
• National Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched NEST (Nature Education Sites for Tomorrow) Program together with Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation and DNR. Provided grants and habitat certification for schools.
• Michigan Wildlife Habitat FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of NEST Program. Worked on wetland restorations, stream habitat improvements, and schoolyard habitat projects including Bigelow Creek demonstration.
• Michigan United Conservation ClubsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Coalition To Preserve Michigan Agriculture and Natural Resources (CPMANR) opposing wild hog legislation.
• Michigan Nature AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted prescribed burns on managed lands for rare plant protection. Partner in Fire Up For Wildlife project.
• Michigan Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on fisher reintroduction in Upper Peninsula affecting porcupine populations.
• Potter Park ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Institute for Rare Mammal Studies conducting Michigan Rare Mammals Project with detection dogs.
• Michigan Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) response including Core CWD Area at Bengel Wildlife Center.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ducks Unlimited: National nonprofit focused on wetland conservation, habitat restoration, and waterfowl protection. Highly comparable to Michigan Wildlife Conservancy's wetland restoration and private-lands conservation model, but at much larger scale.
• Trout Unlimited: National nonprofit focused on trout and salmon habitat restoration, with active Michigan chapters. MWC is a documented partner on Bigelow Creek work and shares direct overlap in stream habitat restoration and citizen engagement.
• National Wildlife Federation: National wildlife conservation and advocacy organization that co-launches the NEST Program with Michigan Wildlife Conservancy. Comparable mission, advocacy footprint, and certified habitat programs.
• The Nature Conservancy (Michigan): Global nonprofit operating conservation chapters including Michigan, with similar habitat protection, land stewardship, and science-based restoration approach. Direct mission overlap and comparable donor-supported funding model.
• Michigan Nature Association: State-level nonprofit that owns and manages nature sanctuaries in Michigan, conducts prescribed burns, and protects rare species. Direct peer in geography, mission, and small-staff nonprofit operating model.
• Blandford Nature Center: Michigan-based nonprofit nature center offering trails, education programs, and community events. Operates a smaller but structurally similar fee-for-program + donation + education model in Grand Rapids.
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs: Michigan's oldest conservation nonprofit, focused on hunting, fishing, and wildlife policy advocacy. Co-listed with MWC in the Coalition to Preserve Michigan Agriculture and Natural Resources; represents the policy/advocacy peer.
• Audubon Society (Michigan): National bird conservation nonprofit with state-level chapters that combine habitat restoration, education programming, and member-supported sanctuaries - structurally similar to MWC's nonprofit conservation plus recreation model.

Emerging players

• Wildlife Forever: National nonprofit funding fish and wildlife habitat projects. Documented partner with MWC on Bigelow Creek habitat demonstration, sharing comparable funding/partnership model.
• Potter Park Zoo: Michigan zoo and conservation partner (Institute for Rare Mammal Studies). Overlaps in rare-species research, education programming, and conservation partnerships, though runs a paid-admission zoo rather than free-trail model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MichiganWildlifeConservancy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-wildlife-conservancy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Michigan Wildlife Conservancy