The Nature Conservancy
Science-driven land and water conservation across 72 countries
Our editorial assessment
TNC's scale is unmatched in the conservation world: 125 million acres protected, 5,000 miles of rivers conserved, operations in 72 countries. Their approach is distinctively pragmatic — they purchase land outright when necessary, negotiate easements, partner with indigenous communities, and work with governments on policy. This breadth means TNC isn't the most cost-effective conservation charity per acre protected, but it is the most consequential in terms of total ecosystems preserved. Their science programme is world-class, publishing in top journals and informing global conservation policy. For donors who want the broadest possible environmental impact from a single organisation, TNC delivers.
The problem they're solving
The world is losing natural ecosystems at an unprecedented rate — threatening biodiversity, water supplies, carbon storage, and the livelihoods of indigenous communities. TNC's combination of direct land protection, policy influence, and scientific research addresses these threats at a scale no other conservation organisation can match.
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is the world's largest conservation organization, protecting over 125 million acres.
Where your dollar goes
What your donation could do
Your $100 helps protect land and ocean habitats globally.
Illustrative estimate based on figures this organisation publishes about its own programs — not a statement from the charity itself. Actual impact varies by program and year.
What donors say about The Nature Conservancy
Donors signed in with Google can rate The Nature Conservancy from one to five stars and share a short review of their experience — whether as a donor, volunteer, or beneficiary. Community ratings are displayed as their own criterion alongside our editorial metrics; they never alter the editorial 0–100 score.
Sign in with Google to rate this charity and read donor reviews.
How this score was produced
The Charity Ranking score is our own editorial assessment, produced with a weighted rubric covering program spending, transparency and governance, evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and leadership. It draws on publicly available reports from independent evaluators such as GiveWell, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch, but it is not a rating issued or endorsed by any of those organisations. The community rating shown above is a separate signal contributed by signed-in donors; it is displayed alongside our criteria but never feeds into the editorial score. Read the full methodology →