Nature Conservancy, Inc.

The Nature Conservancy is the only reason even a portion of the rare Maritime Forest on the Outer Banks of NC exists. Please visit Nags Head Woods. They help America the Beautiful, stay beautiful. They protect vulnerable ecosystems and lifeforms. They provide recreational and educational programming for all ages. A worthy use of your funds. They have a 96% rating with Charity Navigator. Top Rated by Charity Watch.

Read the arrogance in their mission. What someone does on their land is none of anyone's business. These self-righteous puritan fascists need to stop hurting people pursuing their dreams.

Got manipulated into becoming a donor by a team lead named Josh Chance. He promised to pay me back but just ghost d me. I would stay far away from this charity. There is a reason they hire army's of kids to convince you to donate. They also make it next to impossible to cancel. I searched for hours on end for info that said they sent me but with tons of spam e mails I could not find the info. Finally I had to call in and get everything handed that way as no one could locate the onboarding e mail. Find a better charity that employs people who have character. Not ones that just act like penny stock sales people and brag to each other about how they got you to become a donor.

I remember when these arrogant people began taking over land in Upstate NY.
I watched as they took over with their own version of what is best for every one else.
People who say they speak for everyone are the worse kind of fashist pigs.
They make jobs for them selfs and take advantage of people who think they are saving the planet.
Just yesterday while driving down route 7 I see what they are doin they are buying up every little piece of the earth.
They took a 10 foot wide swath between 2 home owners . It would have been better to give that little piece away.
But no they are out to make a statement. They will take over every thing they can without concern for people.
They scam money from big folks who like to have tax write offs and good stuff to use in their advertising.
Over all they do not need your donation they will try to make you feel good for a few bucks.
They are con people.

They set up a subscription while leading me to believe it was a one time gift. they didn't provide an easy way to see it or cancel it. when i tried contacting them to ask them to cancel it, I got no response.
then they used part of the funds they receive to send a glossy magazine to me overseas, when they are supposed to be about conservation.

I was stunned when I discovered the nature conservancy was supporting the construction of the Obama presidential center, inside of historic Jackson Park, in Chicago, IL. This center features a central building 235 feet in height. There are also four other buildings, this on twenty acres of the park, designed by F.L. Olmsted, on the National Register. This lies directly in the path of the Great Lakes migratory flyway, and is situated up against the park's nature area. The nature area contains an old growth oak savannah ecosystem known to be eight thousand years old, a micorhyzal community. It is one of the best birding sites in the midwest.
What is sad is that other, equal sites for the OPC are abundant on the Southside of Chicago.
I worked, in the past, with the nature conservancy. But no more. These are mostly people who are in it for their salaries.

Please also bear in mind that The Nature Conservancy has dealings with Investment funds where the individual Investors are goaded by investment returns far higher than what an ordinary person could achieve in the current climate with extremely low interest rates. There is no mention at any of their websites that part of the money finances RoI for a few fund investors, and it very difficult to find any information about this to be able to make the Connection. Their motto seems to be: Let the general public donate and work for free while the investors achieve a healthy financial return.

I've been a member for at least 30 years, but will now be contributing to other organizations that better share my ideals. Reading reviews going back to 2011, I see a lot of people ending membership because of the then CEO salary of $320k/annum. Seven years later the CEO salary is $730k/annum! WOW! This is supposed to be a charitable organization. Compare this salary to other large green charitable groups. Only 2/3 of contributions go to TNC stated goals, the rest is mostly administrative...like CEO salary. If in 7 years their CEO salary can more than double, they don't need my money. I will definitely reconsider when CEO salary gets more in line with reality and administrative costs drop. I have a feeling if more donors knew about this, more donors would stop donating.

$59 MILLION IN INVESTMENT LOSSES LAST YEAR!!

How does this happen? Charities are obligated to be great stewards of our precious donations. Not here! They have your and my money invested in risky complex investments that are causing massive investment losses. This has to stop and someone needs to be held accountable. Funds are spread amongst 50 to 60 different investment managers for so -called diversification. This is absurd and makes it impossible to monitor the investments in a safe and sound manner. Please help to force management and the Board to fix this situation.

I've removed them from my will. From Wikipedia: "1900 corporate sponsers ... legislation to allow drilling [in the ANWR] is supported by members of the Conservancy leadership council, which consists of members from BP and ExxonMobil, as well as by Phillips Alaska, Inc.". They're mission has clearly been corrupted.

I was ready to write a check for my annual contribution until I read the review coments.
I agree with the issues of paying too high a salary to the CEO as well as the
cruel results of hunting.

Just a thought regarding salaries. I have worked in the non-profit field my entire career, and in my current employment, the CEO is paid a six-figure salary for managing a regional program with a multi-million budget. This CEO compensation, if compared to the for-profit sector is probably in line, for a national company. Too often, the term "non-profit" seems to equal substandard. You do often get what you pay for. I have had to leave jobs, and seen my colleagues leave great organizations, because they could not feed their families. Obviously, this guy can feed his family, but if he is worth the pay in the private sector, and the job is worth the pay in the private sector, then it is not too much. What he will not likely get, by working in the non-profit world, is large bonuses and similar perks.

I am not discounting the concerns that many have over the salary of the CEO. Just wanted to provide food for thought. Given how much money this charity has to manage, you may want the best leader you can find and you usually have to pay more to get the best. It could be that this organization is run well because they inveseted more for a top leader. However, the comment about the inhumane practices to deal with non native species sounds horrific to me. If they endorse those practices, that would be a deal breaker for me. Now I wonder if they are not animal sensitive but really more about fighting urban sprawl into wilderness areas. I am a strong animal advocate and maybe this is not the charity for me. Not sure about them now.

I am very aware of TNC's mission and some of the activities, as I have been a donor for many years and follow progress. I am very disappointed to see an excessive salary for the CEO, and while it takes good money to keep good people in such roles, this is a bit over the top. Also, I tire of the wasted $ I donate in going to more and more fund raising mailings. I have noted that this organization, as most all of the non-profits soliciting money, hit you with a mailing for support immediately following receipt of your donation. This is a good trick....that is why I keep spreadsheets now. Bottom line: I will give less to TNC and put $'s elsewhere.

Count me in as someone who was ready to contribute, until I saw the Director's annual compensation. Are they kidding? I am glad this website reveals this information, it is very informative. Paying someone more than 200K to head a CHARITY is unconsionable.

A good cause but I don't support them any more because they allow hunting on their land and kill
non-native species in very cruel ways like slow strangulation by snare.

Like others who have commented, I was going to donate to Nature Conservancy until I saw the CEO's salary. He likely gets expenses like dinners at fine restaurants to lobby Congress, etc. paid for. I'll donate elsewhere this year.

They never sent the 'Adopt an Acre' gift pack that was supposed to come with the donation. A phone call every few weeks got nowhere. If they can't efficiently and accurately handle a simple mail out, how can I expect them to help with the real issues they are supposed to address? I'm also sick of the mail outs asking for donations. It's a waste of paper and adding to the carbon footprint.

I began volunteering for this organization when I learned, much to my surprise, that there was a preserve only a few miles from my back door. I was immediately smitten and, as I visited each preserve in northeast Ohio in turn, became even more impressed. More than 10 years and almost 5000 volunteer hours have passed. I'm the volunteer crew chief at my local preserve and still can't get enough! The more we do, the more beautiful the preserves become!

Very informative, interesting articles that encompass the entire ecosystem. The focus includes all parts of the earth, forests, oceans and wildlife; and there are many articles that show how projects are underway to positively help improve a part of nature that is in trouble. Also the articles include excellent photography that encourages an appreciation for the natural world and wildlife! I like this group for nomination.

There is no greater service to the Earth than the preservation of our natural resources. Once we have lost the wilderness and wildlife that the Nature Conservancy helps to protect, we will not be able to regain them. As a nation and a species we cannot survive the loss of these resources without irrevocably changing, and I doubt that it will be for the better. The Conservancy is remarkable in the effectiveness and the importance of the work that they undertake.

The Nature Conservancy is a top notch organization that hes been engineering innovative methods and solutions for protecting natural areas all over the planet for decades. I have been a member and supporter and online activist for the Conservancy for decades as well, and am proud to have volunteered in Florida at the Wilderness preserve. The Conservancy has been a leader in conservation and been the Gold Standard that many other environmental organizations strive to replicate.

Imagine standing in the middle of an 1100 acre mounded prairie. It's February. There's a little snow on the ground and it's drizzling. You're dressed for it and only a little cold. Last year's wildflowers are senescent, but wild strawberries are visible, and the evergreen of scotch broom stands out. You're with about a dozen like-minded friends attacking the broom with weed wrenches. There's a group of students from the local college out shooting a documentary, asking questions like, "Why are you out here?" Because I remember the place when it was old-growth broom taller than me. The Nature Conservancy got me connected with this place and the South Puget Sound prairies. It is the persistence of volunteers, fueled by the Conservancy's volunteer organisation, that has made this place a candidate for re-introduction of captive-raised endangered butterflies. That's big. That's why I'm out there.

great photos, much aid to protecting entire ecosystems to preserve out wonderful natural heritage.

Out of the many excellent conservation efforts underway, I have chosen to support the Nature Conservancy above all others. It has been instrumental in obtaining properties in Northeaster Illinois and in facilitating habitat restoration through local public education programs and activities. It has been beautiful to see the return of area wildflowers, birds, and animals that nearly went extinct in my own lifespan of 63 years. In observing the tragic wreckage of hurricanes, tornadoes, dust storms, and earthquakes it may seem that the destruction of life on earth is always dramatic, giant, impactful, and demolishing. Meanwhile, the long-term demise of our entire species is in the almost unnoticeable, slow, and steady decay caused by the habits of humans who often do not even know what they are doing. The Nature Conservancy does a great service on behalf of our planet and ALL of her inhabitants. I hope my review will place the Nature Conservancy's enduring, subtle, humble, and effective efforts in the limelight it deserves. Best regards, Janet Horton, Wonder Lake, IL

The Nature Conservacy keeps us up to date with how improvements are made and can be made to look after our beautiful World and Protect all its Enviroment!!! So proud to have joined them on twitter and will always follow!!! Well done!!! Keep up,the good work guys!!!!

As a former employeeof TNC and a current elementary school teacher, I have come to rely on the conservation work done by this org. I always make sure to donate when I have some extra cash. They are a fine examp.le of what a small group of caring individuals can do for or planet. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska, Ok will always be a bit of heaven on earth for me!

As the founding Pres. of a National Wildlife Refuge Friends 501(c)(3) organization, I greatly appreciate the work that the Nature Conservancy does on behalf of all of us.

I have The Nature Conservancy named in my Trust. I like what it does. But after seeing the CEO's salary I wonder if I should reconsider.

i was planning on donating until I saw the ceo's salary

I donated in late 2010. Since then, I regularly receive multiple-sheet mailings from them telling me that my membership is expiring and to "RENEW NOW." It seems like these Asks come monthly, or more frequently. This would feel excessive and frustrating if the letters were from a credit card company, but from an organization dedicated to protecting "Earth's natural systems [which are] at risk," this is particularly maddening. I feel vaguely hounded by them and believe that their frequent mailings undermine their goals of conservation. I'm writing this in May 2012. More than a year after my contribution, I continue to receive their "renewal notices."

I can't contribute any longer while the CEO makes a half million dollars per year.

Others have complained about the Director's pay at $300,000 dollars; that's why I stopped contributing last year. Now it's $482,632. This is a charity, folks! Given how many of the well-known charities are giving their management outrageous amounts, I'm guessing it's for the same reason as Wall Street....they're all on each other's boards and give each other approval for that sort of thing. This is the way I'm sending the message....hope enough people do that they listen.

The Nature Conservancy is a great organization that pursues what I call "practical environmentalism". They don't get mired down in political controversy; they just go about the business of protecting lands, waters, and diversity of life.

In Texas, amazing what they do. Think about how much this organization does everywhere. Of course they need professionals to run it. 120 million acres it says on their web site. That's a lot to take care of. Glad they do pay staff well. That way it really will be in good shape.

I've given to the Nature Conservancy for over 20 years, but no more. I live on less than 25,000 a year and don't see why I should give my hard earned money so the CEO of the organization can make almost $500,000 per year.

I love the mission of the Nature Conservancy but in the future I am donating to the Salvation Army.

L Burton

Hi, my name is Joe Peal. I work for The Nature Conservancy as the new Manager of our Member Care Team. We strive for a five-star experience and if you're not satisfied, I'd like to hear from you. Please contact me at 703-841-5300 so we can make things right.

I too only have rave reviews for TNC. I learned about them a few years ago with the Plant a Billion Trees campaign. To be able to plant 1 billion trees is such an undertaking. They can do it. They use science and they are strategic. We need more to work on the ground like TNC. All my interactions are only positive and I encourage all reading this to donate today.

I just called the membership department toll-free and they addressed my need immediately. My experience for nine years is only positive. Best of all, I see the results of The Nature Conservancy in my home state as they help to protect very important places in Vermont.

So their rating is 3 stars and they have raised the CEO salary from ~$320,000 to ~$360,000? Why would I want to donate to this group? I used to but this is not fiscally responsible. Sorry.

Terrible customer service, and apalling lack of urgency. I have donated twice to The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The first time they charged my account twice and failed to correct the error until I had called a total of 4 times over 3 weeks. I had to literally harrass them until they did something about it.

The second time was about 5 weeks ago when I made a donation to "Save Coral Reef" for my wife's birthday. I made it well in advance hoping she would receive her gift pack and certificate in time. 2 weeks after her birthday, still nothing. I emailed TNC to let them know we had gotten nothing in the post. It took them a week just to respond to my email! When they finally did, they apologised and insisted they would immediately send out a new gift pack and certificate. It has now been 5 weeks since I made the donation. We have received ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Disgraceful.

I will not be making any donations to this charity again, and will be sure to let other conservationists know of their incompetence and lack of customer care.

If you are considering of donating to this charity, do yourself a favour - pick another one instead.

I beleive that TNC has lost its way in its corporate structure. While the organization has fantastic staff working at the local, state and foreign country levels in many programs; the regional / national / international corporate structure is destroying this organization. Unfortunately, a lack of ethical commitment to conservation continues to drive TNC into making bad decisions based on poor ethical choices. At TNC the money always wins and the loser is typically true cosnervation.

This charity is the lackey of big business who want to assuage their guilt by donating to an environmental charity who will not bite them in the ass. Better to donate to a 4 star charity that is smaller, more focused and supportive of the environment.

My wife and I are life members of TNC, and are in the process of preparing a new will. We plan to leave much of our estate to charities, but only to charities that are managed efficiently.
TNC used to be among the top charities when it came to the percent of donors' moneys spent on programs. I am disappointed that it now gets only three stars on Charity Navigator, and that it spent $182 million on administrative and fundraising expenses during the latest period.
Has TNC been hijacked by leaders/managers whose priorities are no longer "nature conservancy?"

As a 4th generation of settlers of land in Wyoming, I have lived with the land all of my 62years. Coming from this linage of pioneers, it has always been, and still is, our life goal to have a sustainable life, while enhancing the land we love, according to what and how God ordained it to be used. From lands I have observed being taken over by the NCI, it has not been the same management goal, nor anything resembling the Code of the West that we live by. Lands left to nature are not always the best, as we were given the 'brains' to make things better. I will grant, that not all of the West has been treated as it should, but that is a very small percentage. Of course, that small percentage is always the only news that makes the headlines. People don't realize the importance of livestock in the sustainability of rangeland....this has been proven by Alan Savory.....look him up! Without the pioneers of the Western States, the wildlife would never have been established as it is now. Thats all because of the grass production on private lands that have been managed for 'optimal' use for livestock and wildlife. If all the lands were reverted back to 'nature' it would not take long to slip back to desolate, unusable wastelands, unaccessible and useless for life there, as we see it today.

It looks like the Charity Navigator decided to remove the comments tab (maybe under the pressure from the charity due to the criticism of the high CEO and past CEO pay [over 300,000 each]). These comments can be accessed via a link at the bottom; but I wonder for how long?