At TripOutside, conservation is one of our core values. We believe that getting people outdoors on human-powered adventures inspires a love for the outdoors, which ultimately fuels a passion to protect it. We are continually inspired by the incredible work that conservation organizations and nature-focused non-profits are doing across the globe. As proud members of the Conservation Alliance and Leave No Trace, we’re committed to supporting efforts that preserve our planet’s wild places and ecosystems for future generations.

To celebrate their efforts, we’ve created this list of some under-the-radar organizations making a big impact. Whether you’re interested in supporting the best conservation organizations overall, the best ocean conservation organizations, or perhaps the best wildlife conservation organizations, this guide will introduce you to groups driving meaningful change in land, wildlife, and marine conservation, as well as climate advocacy.

Here’s how they’re making a difference.

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Land Conservation & Public Lands

Supporting land conservation ensures future generations can enjoy the outdoors. These conservation organizations stand out as some of the best conservation organizations to donate to if you’re passionate about public lands.

The Conservation Alliance

• Focus: Protecting wild lands and waters through grassroots efforts
• Impact: Has funded over 800 conservation projects, helping to protect more than 73 million acres and 3,580 miles of rivers
• Charity Navigator Score: Not rated
• Why It’s Awesome: Outdoor businesses like TripOutside collaborate to protect places where people recreate

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Trust for Public Land (TPL)

• Focus: Land conservation and equitable access to public lands
• Impact: Created or protected more than 5,000 parks and conserved over 3 million acres nationwide
• Charity Navigator Score: 92/100
• Why It’s Awesome: They prioritize projects that ensure everyone has access to green spaces, including underserved urban communities

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The Wilderness Society

• Focus: Protecting public lands and wilderness areas
• Impact: Successfully advocated for protecting 111 million acres of wilderness since their founding
• Charity Navigator Score: 93/100
• Why It’s Awesome: They focus on safeguarding the nation’s most treasured wild places for recreation and ecological health

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Wildlife & Habitat Conservation

If you’re looking for the best wildlife conservation organizations, these nonprofits are leading efforts to protect species and habitats for endangered species and other wildlife.

Defenders of Wildlife

• Focus: Protecting endangered species and their habitats
• Impact: Championed the recovery of wolves, bison, and other keystone species across North America
• Charity Navigator Score: 83/100
• Why It’s Awesome: They work at the intersection of science, advocacy, and policy to protect wildlife

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Center for Biological Diversity

• Focus: Fighting to protect endangered species and wild places through legal action, science, and advocacy
• Impact: Helped secure protections for over 700 species under the Endangered Species Act and fought against habitat destruction across the U.S.
• Charity Navigator Score: 94/100
• Why It’s Awesome: They take an aggressive, legal-first approach to conservation, holding governments and corporations accountable to protect wildlife and public lands

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Ocean & Marine Conservation

For those passionate about the ocean, here are the best marine conservation organizations to support. They’re working to protect marine life, coral reefs, and the health of our oceans.

Ocean Conservancy

• Focus: Ocean and marine life protection
• Impact: Their International Coastal Cleanup has removed over 348 million pounds of trash from oceans since its inception
• Charity Navigator Score: 93/100
• Why It’s Awesome: Ocean Conservancy is a standout among the best ocean conservation organizations, tackling plastic pollution and advocating for sustainable fishing

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Coral Restoration Foundation

• Focus: Coral reef restoration
• Impact: Planted more than 130,000 corals on degraded reefs, helping to restore marine biodiversity
• Charity Navigator Score: 92/100
• Why It’s Awesome: Their hands-on reef restoration programs make them one of the best conservation organizations for ocean enthusiasts

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Marine Conservation Institute

• Focus: Protecting ocean ecosystems through marine protected areas (MPAs)
• Impact: Created the Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES) to identify and protect key marine habitats.
• Charity Navigator Score: Not rated.
• Why It’s Awesome: Their scientific approach and focus on MPAs position them among the best marine conservation organizations.

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Climate Advocacy

These organizations are perfect for those who want to support the best nature conservation organizations fighting climate change and preserving the environment.

Health In Harmony

• Focus: Climate change, rainforest conservation, and community health
• Impact: Uses a “radical listening” approach to help communities in Indonesia, Brazil, and Madagascar protect rainforests while improving healthcare and livelihoods. Their programs have reduced logging by up to 90% in some areas
• Charity Navigator Score: 100/100
• Why It’s Awesome: They connect climate action with human well-being, making them a top pick among the best conservation organizations for holistic impact

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Earthjustice

• Focus: Environmental legal advocacy
• Impact: Represented clients in over 600 legal cases, winning victories that protect air, water, wildlife, and public lands
• Charity Navigator Score: 91/100
• Why It’s Awesome: Their legal work makes them one of the best conservation organizations to donate to, especially for those passionate about policy-driven change

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Protect Our Winters (POW)

• Focus: Climate advocacy for outdoor enthusiasts
• Impact: Mobilized outdoor communities to pass renewable energy legislation and protect winter recreation
• Charity Navigator Score: 94/100
• Why It’s Awesome: POW connects climate advocacy with outdoor recreation, earning its place among the best conservation organizations

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How You Can Help These Conservation Organizations

These organizations are some of the best conservation organizations to support if you’re passionate about protecting wildlife, oceans, and public lands. By supporting them, you’re ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of nature. Whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing their mission, your contribution matters!