cogard

What cogard does

COGard (Centre Ornithologique du Gard) is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 1980 and headquartered in Nîmes, France. The organization's mission is to study, inform about, and protect biodiversity in the Gard department, structured around three pillars — Étude (Study), Sensibilisation (Awareness), and Protection — and delivered through two operational poles: Conservation and Sensibilisation. It serves a diversified stakeholder base including the general public, schools, farmers, municipalities, public agencies, and corporate partners, and is supported by approximately 280 members and volunteers.

The organization's core products and activities include citizen-science surveys (bird counts, bat monitoring via bioacoustics, pollinator inventories), professional ecological expertise (impact studies, regulatory assessments), educational programs for schools, public exhibitions, volunteer-led habitat restoration projects, and publications such as the Atlas des Oiseaux du Gard (2019). The underlying technical stack is composed of field-grade scientific tooling — GIS and cartography, biostatistics, bioacoustics recorders, drones for aerial surveys, and standardized scientific protocols — rather than a productized software platform. There is no disclosed SaaS, API, or commercial AI/ML component.

COGard's business model blends several revenue streams: membership dues from ~280 members, fees for professional ecological services, public subsidies from Région Occitanie, Conseil Départemental du Gard, Agence de l'eau, and the EU LIFE programme (notably Terra Musiva), event-related revenue processed through BilletWeb, and tax-deductible donations enabled by its "intérêt général" status. Go-to-market is relationship-driven and local: distribution runs through partnerships (CPIE du Gard, CEN Occitanie, EPTB Gardons, Groupama, Association Abeille), the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere network, and direct outreach to schools and municipalities. The organization has no commercial software product and no recurring SaaS or licensing revenue.

Name

cogard

Legal name

Association COGard – Centre Ornithologique du Gard

Website

https://cogard.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

COGard is a French non-profit association founded in 1980 in Nîmes that studies, protects, and educates the public about biodiversity in the Gard department through citizen science, expert ecological assessments, school programs, and habitat restoration projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests) (THAAAHAJ)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation
• Citizen science surveys
• Environmental education
• Ornithological research
• Habitat protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Nîmes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees (Cotisations): Annual membership fees from approximately 280 adherent·e·s who support the association's mission of studying, protecting, and sensitizing the public about Gard biodiversity
2. Professional Expertise Services: Fee-based professional expertise services provided to businesses and organizations seeking biodiversity impact assessments and environmental guidance
3. Event Revenue: Some events may have ticketed participation though many are free; BilletWeb integration for online ticket sales

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

COGard is a non-profit association (loi 1901) that studies, raises awareness about, and protects biodiversity in the Gard department of France through citizen science surveys, professional biodiversity expertise, school and public environmental education programs, and conservation field projects. It operates a Conservation Division and an Awareness Division, supported by approximately 280 members and volunteers, with activities spanning ornithology, herpetology, chiroptology (bats), entomology, and habitat restoration.

Product overview

COGard (Centre Ornithologique du Gard) is a non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 1980, operating as an advocacy and education organization rather than a technology company. The organization's 'products' are its programs and services organized around three core missions: Étudier (Study), Sensibiliser (Raise Awareness), and Protéger (Protect). The Conservation Division (Pôle Conservation) delivers scientific expertise through volunteer surveys and professional studies in ornithology, herpetology, chiropters, entomology, and related fields. The Awareness Division (Pôle Sensibilisation) provides educational programs including the 'Raconte Moi Ta Nature' school program, exhibitions ('Chauve-souris, une vie renversante', 'ReGard naturel'), and public events. Core services include professional biodiversity expertise, citizen science surveys, wildlife emergency response (SOS Faune), and volunteer habitat projects. Publications include the Atlas des Oiseaux du Gard and various naturalist guides. Member services include a lending library with ornithology and biodiversity resources. COGard does not offer a technology platform, SaaS product, or API-based services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pôle Conservation (Conservation Division Services) Professional and volunteer scientific studies and monitoring programs covering ornithology, herpetology, chiroptology, entomology, orchidology, cartography, biostatistics, drone technology, and bioacoustics, delivered for biodiversity knowledge and conservation in the Gard department.
• Expertise professionnelle (Professional Biodiversity Expertise) Fee-based professional biodiversity expertise for clients including businesses, municipalities, and landowners, covering environmental impact assessments, species inventories, and conservation guidance.
• Enquêtes bénévoles (Volunteer Citizen Science Surveys) Citizen science programs enabling volunteers to participate in wildlife surveys and monitoring across the Gard region under rigorous scientific protocols covering birds, reptiles, bats, insects, and orchids.
• Pôle Sensibilisation (Awareness Division Programs) Environmental education and public outreach programs for schools, youth groups, elected officials, and professionals, including nature walks, workshops, and community events across the Gard department.
• Dispositif 'Raconte Moi Ta Nature' (School Education Program) School-based environmental education program connecting students with local biodiversity through classroom activities and field trips, recognized with the Trophées Biosphère and 'Initiative pour une Ruralité Durable' awards.
• SOS Faune sauvage (Wildlife Emergency Response Guidance) Wildlife emergency response guidance for the public to report injured or distressed wild animals in the Gard region.
• Chantiers bénévoles (Volunteer Conservation Work Projects) Volunteer work projects including nest box construction and installation, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring activities.
• LIFE Terra Musiva (EU-funded Conservation Programme) European Union-funded LIFE programme focused on habitat conservation and species protection in the Gard region.
• Les haies (Hedgerow Conservation Initiative) Hedgerow conservation and restoration initiative to preserve and enhance biodiversity corridors in agricultural landscapes of Gard.
• Accompagner les professionnels (Professional Biodiversity Advisory Service) Professional consulting services helping businesses integrate biodiversity considerations into their operations and projects.
• Expositions et Conférences (Biodiversity Exhibitions and Conferences) Traveling and permanent exhibitions on biodiversity themes including 'Chauve-souris, une vie renversante' and 'ReGard naturel', plus public conferences for schools and general audiences.
• Atlas des Oiseaux du Gard and COGard Publications Books, atlases, and naturalist guides published by COGard, including the comprehensive Atlas des Oiseaux du Gard documenting all bird species in Gard, and 'Gard Sauvage' documentation on local biodiversity.
• Bibliothèque (Members' Library Lending Service) Library lending service for members offering books and journals on ornithology, insects, amphibians, and flora, including La Hulotte, Ornithos, and Aves journals collections.
• Education à l'environnement et Animations (Environmental Education Workshops) Environmental education workshops and animations for general public, schools, and extracurricular groups covering the natural heritage of Gard.

Quantifiable outcome

• 344 individuals from 141+ species documented during single 24H de la Nature event

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CPIE du GardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with CPIE du Gard for co-organizing public events and sensitization programs including 'Terroirs vagabonds', 'Et au milieu coule la Cèze', and other environmental education initiatives across Gard
• Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels d'Occitanie (CEN Occitanie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the regional conservatory for natural spaces for species monitoring, habitat protection, and reserve management including work at the Réserve Naturelle des Gorges du Gardon
• Conseil Départemental du GardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDepartmental council partner supporting biodiversity programs including 'Gardons notre forêt' and various nature outing events throughout the department
• Région OccitaniecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional council funding and supporting environmental programs and biodiversity conservation initiatives through various program partnerships
• Association Abeille et BiodiversitéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for arthropod education and awareness activities, co-hosting nature discovery outings focused on pollinators and insects
• Agence de l'eau Rhône Méditerranée CorsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWater agency partner supporting river-related programs including 'Et au milieu coule la Cèze' and restoration projects along waterways like the Vistre
• Nîmes MétropoleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetropolitan community supporting urban biodiversity programs including pollinator awareness and nature activities in metropolitan area
• Les Écologistes de l'EuzièreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in nature events and biodiversity inventory activities including the 24H de la Nature de Belvézet
• Association Reliances NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in community nature events and biodiversity awareness activities in Gard
• EPTB GardonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic river basin organization partnering for waterway biodiversity events and conservation along the Gardon river system
• Réserve Naturelle des Gorges du GardoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the regional nature reserve for nature outings, reptile monitoring, and educational activities within the protected area

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Société Nationale de Protection de la Nature (SNPN): Historic French nature protection society managing nature reserves and publishing scientific work. Comparable as a French association combining scientific research, reserve management, and biodiversity education.
• France Nature Environnement (FNE): National federation of French nature and environmental protection associations. Directly comparable as an environmental NGO with member-association structure and policy advocacy, though at national scale rather than departmental.
• LPO France (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux): France's leading bird and biodiversity protection NGO. Direct comparable to COGard in mission (ornithology, citizen science, conservation) but with national scale, far larger membership, and broader advocacy reach.
• Noé Conservation: French biodiversity conservation NGO focused on species recovery and ecological restoration. Comparable as a French environmental NGO with citizen-science and corporate-partnership programs targeting biodiversity outcomes.
• CPIE du Gard: Local CPIE (Permanent Centre for Environmental Initiatives) covering the Gard department. Closely comparable as a regional environmental education and sensitization actor and existing COGard co-organizing partner on public events.
• Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels d'Occitanie (CEN Occitanie): Regional conservatory managing natural spaces in Occitanie. Directly comparable as a regional biodiversity conservation partner; COGard already partners with CEN on species monitoring and reserve management (e.g., Gorges du Gardon).

Broad incumbents

• BirdLife International: Global partnership of bird and nature conservation organizations, of which LPO France is the French partner. Comparable in ornithological mission and citizen-science IBA data, but operating globally rather than at a single-department level.
• UICN France: French committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Comparable thematic scope (biodiversity assessment, species red lists, conservation policy) but at national/international scale and with a broader institutional mandate.
• Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN): France's national natural history museum conducting scientific research, species inventories, and public education. Comparable in biodiversity science and education but as a major public institution rather than an association.

Regional players

• Réserve Naturelle des Gorges du Gardon: Public nature reserve covering the Gardon gorges in Gard. Directly comparable as a Gard-department conservation partner; COGard already partners on outings, reptile monitoring, and educational activities within the reserve.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cogard.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cogard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 cogard