What Great Burn Conservation Alliance does

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Great Burn Conservation Alliance is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conducts advocacy, education, and stewardship work across the roughly 1.9-million-acre Great Burn ecosystem along the Montana-Idaho border. Its core programs seek permanent wilderness protection, influence forest-management policy, educate schools and youth groups, and execute field projects involving trail improvement, noxious weed management, campsite maintenance, ecological monitoring, and a backcountry ranger patrol covering approximately 700 miles annually. Its principal stakeholders are conservation advocates, outdoor recreationists, students and youth groups, volunteer participants, and partner organizations and agencies.

Operationally, GBCA is community-led: it recruits and coordinates individual and group volunteers, collaborates with nonprofits, youth corps, universities, foundations, and government agencies, and communicates through newsletters, action alerts, events, and its website. It is not a software company and has no public or partner-facing API; its limited technology footprint consists of a Squarespace website, online event registration and store, downloadable trip resources, and the RIMS and Wild Spotter phone-based reporting apps used for crowdsourced conservation observations. Its stated revenue channels are tax-deductible donations and membership support, supplemented by map, apparel, and accessory sales and refundable stewardship-trip deposits. Merchandise is unit-priced, while deposits are $50 for multi-day and $10 for single-day trips.

Name

Great Burn Conservation Alliance

Legal name

Great Burn Conservation Alliance

Website

https://greatburn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Great Burn Conservation Alliance is a Missoula-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects the 1.9-million-acre Great Burn ecosystem through advocacy, education, restoration, and volunteer stewardship serving conservation advocates, outdoor users, youth groups, and partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH)

Keywords

• Wilderness conservation
• Environmental stewardship
• Habitat protection
• Volunteer trail work
• Nonprofit conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 55-0790103). Major donor and membership program revenue.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including maps, apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, caps), with proceeds supporting the organization.
3. Event Revenue: Volunteer stewardship trips with refundable deposits ($50 for multi-day trips, $10 for single-day events) that secure participant commitment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Great Burn Conservation Alliance runs an integrated conservation program portfolio across three pillars: (1) Advocacy — influencing federal forest management plans and building coalitions for permanent wilderness designation of the Proposed Great Burn and Mallard Larkins Wilderness areas; (2) Stewardship — on-the-ground restoration including trail improvement, integrated noxious weed management, backcountry campsite maintenance, and year-round ranger patrol covering roughly 700 miles annually; and (3) Education — classroom and field-trip curriculum on native ecosystems, wildlife, and invasive species for schools and youth groups.

Product overview

Great Burn Conservation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization operating a single unified program portfolio centered on protecting the ~1.9-million-acre Great Burn ecosystem along the Montana-Idaho border. The organization does not offer a software product or platform; its programs span three core areas — Advocacy (policy influence, forest plan engagement, and coalition-building for permanent wilderness designation), Education (school and youth programming on native ecosystems and wilderness skills), and Stewardship (on-the-ground trail improvement, integrated noxious weed management, backcountry campsite maintenance, and ranger patrol). These core programs are supported by an Online Store selling branded merchandise and the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness Map (second edition, made with Cairn Cartographics and Montana Wilderness Association); a Volunteer and Partner Trip Program coordinating stewardship projects and events via an online event calendar and registration system; Trailhead Resources providing trip planning materials for Montana and Idaho trailheads; and a Community Science program using phone-based crowdsourcing apps (RIMS and Wild Spotter) for public reporting of trail conditions and invasive species. All store proceeds support the organization's conservation mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy Program Policy and advocacy efforts including influencing forest management plans, promoting administrative protections, and building coalitions for permanent wilderness designation for the Great Burn and Mallard Larkins. Targets federal agencies, congressional delegations, and partner coalitions.
• Education Program Partnering with local schools and youth groups to provide curriculum on native ecosystems, wildlife, invasive species, and wilderness skills, blending classroom instruction with experiential field trips into the Great Burn.
• Stewardship Program On-the-ground restoration and protection projects including trail improvement, integrated noxious weed management, backcountry campsite maintenance, and a dedicated backcountry ranger patrol covering hundreds of miles annually. Targets the Great Burn ecosystem across Lolo National Forest, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, and Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
• Volunteer Trip Program Coordinates single-day and multi-day volunteer stewardship trips including trail work, vegetation monitoring, noxious weed pulling, campsite monitoring, Heart Lake Ambassador outreach, and community science. Individuals and partner groups register through an online event calendar.
• Partner Group Inquiry Program Facilitates group volunteer partnerships with organizations, companies, schools, and clubs for stewardship projects ranging from single-day to week-long engagements, with GBCA providing trip leadership, meals, and equipment.
• Great Burn Proposed Wilderness Map Second-edition topographic map covering the entire Great Burn area, including the Montana/Idaho Stateline Trail, Kelly Creek, Hoodoo Pass, and Fish Creek area. Features GPS-verified trail locations at 1:63,360 scale with 100-foot contour intervals. Priced at $15.95. Made in partnership with Montana Wilderness Association and Cairn Cartographics.
• Online Store — Branded Merchandise Online store selling branded merchandise including the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness Map, Pika Patrol long-sleeve ($25) and short-sleeve ($20) t-shirts, embroidered mesh-back baseball caps ($30), and GBCA Sun Hoodies ($35) with UPF 50+ sun protection. All proceeds support the organization's conservation mission.
• Community Science Crowdsourced Reporting Community science program using phone-based crowdsourcing apps (RIMS and Wild Spotter) for public reporting of trail conditions, backcountry violations, conflicts, and invasive species presence to help inform stewardship priorities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700 miles of backcountry patrolled per year by the Backcountry Ranger
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Backcountry Horsemen: MissoulacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer partner organization for trail and stewardship projects. Contributes to trail maintenance and backcountry access improvements.
• Backcountry Horsemen: PalousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer partner contributing to trail work and stewardship activities in the region.
• Backcountry Horsemen: Twin RiverscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer partner organization for trail and stewardship projects.
• Clearwater TrekkerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner organization supporting conservation and stewardship efforts.
• Clearwater Basin Youth Conservation CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for youth employment and conservation projects. Past projects include Upper North Fork Trail Improvement, Clearwater Gulch Trail Improvement, Cold Springs Peak Cleanup, and Mallard Larkins Restoration Inventory.
• Ecology Project InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner; collaborated on Missoula Lake Adopt-a-Trailhead project.
• Girl Scouts: BonnersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partner; collaborated on Heart Lake Adopt-a-Trailhead project.
• Here MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIPOC-focused outdoor organization partner. Collaborated on Stateline Trail Traverse, Ward Eagle Bio Blitz, String of Pearls Cleanup, and Siamese Lakes Campsite Monitoring projects.
• Idaho Trails AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for trail improvement projects including Hanson Ridge Trail Improvement and Idaho Centennial Trail Improvement. Co-host of Windy Bill Trail Improvement project.
• Idaho Youth Challenge AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth partner for education trips and monitoring projects including Weitas Creek Education Trip and Hanson Meadows Monitoring and Education.
• Lochsa LodgesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner hosting events including National Trails Day and World Cleanup Day celebrations.
• Missoula Youth in RestorationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth conservation organization partner; collaborated on Kelly Creek Restoration projects in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
• Montana Fish Wildlife and ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for wildlife management and conservation initiatives in the Great Burn ecosystem.
• Rocky MountaineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer partner for trail improvement projects. Five-year partnership on Cache Creek Trail Improvement. Also collaborated on Cedar Peak Trail Improvement and Schley Mountain Trail Improvement.
• Superior Youth Conservation CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth conservation corps partner with multiple projects including Heart Lake Trail Improvement, Heart Lake Kiosk Installation, multiple Adopt-a-Trailhead projects, and campsite monitoring.
• University of IdahosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner; collaborated on Mallard Larkins Lakes Cleanup project.
• University of MontanasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for ecological monitoring. Collaborated on Hanson Meadows Monitoring and Kid Lake Meadows Monitoring.
• Upward Bounds: MissoulasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partner; collaborated on Heart Lake Day Hike projects.
• Washington State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner; collaborated on Copper Lake Restoration project.
• Wild MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide conservation organization partner. Collaborated on Trail Lake Trail Improvement project.
• Women Who Explore: MontanasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's outdoor organization partner. Four-year collaboration on Heart Lake Cleanup projects.
• U.S. Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary federal agency partner managing national forest lands in the mission area. GBCA works with Lolo National Forest, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, and Idaho Panhandle National Forest on stewardship projects.
• Montana Wilderness AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide wilderness organization partner; collaborated on wilderness map production. Jointly produced the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness Map.
• Cairn CartographicssupportingTechnology or IntegrationMap production partner that created the detailed Great Burn wilderness map in partnership with Montana Wilderness Association.
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation InitiativesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation organization supporting connected ecosystems from Yellowstone to Yukon.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club: Largest U.S. grassroots environmental organization with active wilderness, public lands, and forest policy campaigns; competes for the same donor pool and advocates on overlapping federal land management issues in the northern Rockies.
• National Wildlife Federation: National conservation nonprofit with active western programs on wildlife habitat, public lands, and forest policy; GBCA's board Vice President is retired NWF Senior Director, indicating deep operational overlap.
• The Wilderness Society: National nonprofit focused exclusively on wilderness protection and public lands; works on Congressional wilderness designation campaigns that directly intersect with GBCA's Great Burn and Mallard Larkins advocacy priorities.

Direct peers

• Idaho Conservation League: Idaho's leading state-based conservation advocacy organization working on wilderness protection, forest management, and wildlife habitat - directly overlapping with GBCA's work in the Idaho portion of the Great Burn ecosystem.
• Montana Wilderness Association: Montana-focused wilderness protection and stewardship organization; co-produces the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness Map with GBCA and shares overlapping mission on wilderness designation, trail work, and member mobilization across Montana.
• Rocky Mountaineers: Western Montana-based volunteer trail stewardship organization with five-year partnership on Cache Creek Trail Improvement and additional collaborations on Cedar Peak and Schley Mountain trails - directly overlapping GBCA's trail work portfolio.
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative: Regional conservation organization focused on connecting and protecting habitats from Yellowstone to Yukon, including the northern Rockies where GBCA operates; works on landscape-scale connectivity that directly encompasses the Great Burn corridor.
• Idaho Trails Association: Idaho-based volunteer trail building and maintenance organization; GBCA is a key partner on Idaho Centennial Trail, Hanson Ridge, and Windy Bill trail projects, with overlapping volunteer base and trail stewardship mission.
• National Forests Foundation: Federal-chartered nonprofit partnering with USDA Forest Service on stewardship, recreation, and conservation projects on National Forest lands; GBCA is an active partner working on the same Lolo, Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Emerging players

• Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: National organization focused on public lands, wilderness, and wildlife habitat conservation with active Montana-Idaho chapters; overlaps with GBCA on backcountry access and habitat advocacy but operates from hunting/angling constituency lens.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/greatburn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greatburn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Great Burn Conservation Alliance