Large (by membership) Environmental Organizations
American Forests
“American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country, advocates for the protection and expansion of America’s forests.” www.americanforests.org
Defenders of Wildlife
“Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is a major national conservation organization focused solely on wildlife and habitat conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity.” www.defenders.org
Ducks Unlimited
“Ducks Unlimited is the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.” www.ducks.org
Environmental Defense Fund
“Environmental Defense Fund’s mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. We work to solve the most critical environmental problems facing the planet. This has drawn us to areas that span the biosphere: climate, oceans, ecosystems and health.” www.edf.org
Friends of the Earth
“Friends of the Earth strives for a more healthy and just world. We understand that the challenges facing our planet call for more than half measures, so we push for the reforms that are needed, not merely the ones that are politically easy.”
www.foe.org
Greenpeace USA
Leading independent campaigning organization that uses non-violent direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. www.greenpeace.org/usa
National Audubon Society
“Our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.” www.audubon.org
National Geographic Society
“The National Geographic Society has been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888. It is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation.”
www.nationalgeographic.com
National Resources Defense Council
“Using law, science, and the support of members nationwide to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.”
www.nrdc.org
National Wildlife Federation
“National Wildlife Federation is a voice for wildlife, dedicated to protecting wildlife and habitat and inspiring the future generation of conservationists.” www.nwf.org
Nature Conservancy
“The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.” www.nature.org
Sierra Club
“Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization—with more than two million members and supporters. Our successes range from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. More recently, we’ve made history by leading the charge to move away from the dirty fossil fuels that cause climate disruption and toward a clean energy economy.” www.sierraclub.org
Trout Unlimited
“We work to keep our country’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds safe from environmental threats for this and for future generations of anglers to enjoy.” www.tu.org
Wilderness Society
“The Wilderness Society’s mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We contribute to better protection, stewardship and restoration of our public lands, preserving our rich natural legacy for current and future generations.” http://wilderness.org
Wildlife Conservation Society
“The Wildlife Conservation Society, founded in 1895, has the clear mission to save wildlife and wild places across the globe.” www.wcs.org
World Wildlife Fund
“The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.1 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.”
www.worldwildlife.org
Other National Environmental Organizations
350.org
“350.org was launched in March 2008 by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben and a team of young organizers from around the world. It is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis—the solutions that science and justice demand.” www.350.org
American Farmland Trust
“Protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land.” www.farmland.org
American Horticultural Society
“Making America a nation of gardeners, a land of gardens. That’s our vision. Ambitious? Sure, but we don’t think it’s impossible. It’s what we’ve been doing for more than 90 years.” www.ahs.org
American Rivers
“American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature.” www.americanrivers.org
Beyond Pesticides
“Beyond Pesticides seeks to protect healthy air, water, land and food for ourselves and future generations. By forging ties with governments, nonprofits and people who rely on these natural resources, we reduce the need for unnecessary pesticide use and protect public health and the environment.” www.beyondpesticides.org
Center for a New American Dream
“The mission of the Center for a New American Dream is to improve well-being by inspiring and empowering all of us to shift the ways we consume.” www.newdream.org
Center for Ecoliteracy
“… promotes ecological education. We recognize that students need to experience and understand how nature sustains life and how to live accordingly. We encourage schools to teach and model sustainable practices.” www.ecoliteracy.org
Earth911
“At Earth911, we’ve created a community that helps consumers find their own shade of green, match their values to their purchase behaviors, adopt environmentally sound practices and drive impactful environmental changes. We are here to deliver a mix of targeted content and eco-conscious products that influence positive environmental actions so that you can live a happier, healthier, sustainable lifestyle; one that protects this wonderful planet we call home.” www.earth911.org
Earthday Network
“Earth Day Network’s mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations.” www.earthday.org
EarthJustice
“Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. www.earthjustice.org
Environmental Working Group
“The Environmental Working Group’s mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action.” www.ewg.org
Food & Water Watch
“Food & Water Watch champions healthy food and clean water for all. We stand up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.” www.foodandwaterwatch.org
GRACE Communications Foundation
“… develops innovative strategies to increase public awareness of the critical environmental and public health issues created by our current industrial food system, and to advocate for more sustainable alternatives. By building partnerships and mobilizing philanthropic resources, we promote consumer actions and public policies that support sustainable food production and embrace the complex interconnections of food, water and energy.” www.gracelinks.org
Green America
“Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.” (Green America went by the name “Co-op America” until January 1, 2009.) www.greenamerica.org
Izaak Walton League
“Our Mission:To conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife.” www.iwla.org
League of Conservation Voters
“LCV works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCV, in collaboration with our state LCV partners, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-environment candidates who will champion our priority issues.” www.lcv.org
National Parks Conservation Association
“We’re protecting and enhancing America’s National Park System for present and future generations.
www.npca.org
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
“Guided by biblical teaching, the Partnership seeks to encourage people of faith to weave values and programs of care for God’s creation throughout the entire fabric of religious life.” www.nrpe.org
Oceana
“Oceana: an international organization focused solely on oceans, dedicated to achieving measurable change by conducting specific, science-based campaigns with fixed deadlines and articulated goals.” http://oceana.org
Ocean Conservancy
“Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.” www.oceanconservancy.org
Physicians for Social Responsibility
“Our legacy is filled with many individuals who have dedicated themselves to preventing the use or spread of nuclear weapons and to slow, stop and reverse global warming and the toxic degradation of the environment.” www.psr.org
Population Connection
“Overpopulation threatens the quality of life for people everywhere. Population Connection is the national grassroots population organization that educates young people and advocates progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources.” www.populationconnection.org
Rainforest Action Network
“Rainforest Action Network campaigns for the forests, their inhabitants and the natural systems that sustain life by transforming the global marketplace through education, grassroots organizing and non-violent direct action.” www.ran.org
Story of Stuff Project
“We’re a Community of over a million changemakers worldwide, working to build a more healthy and just planet. Together, we believe it’s possible to create a society based on better not more, sharing not selfishness, community not division. We invite you to be inspired by and share our movies, participate in our study programs, and take part in our campaigns on the issues you care about.” http://StoryofStuff.org
Trust for Public Land
“Our mission is to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.” www.tpl.org
Union of Concerned Scientists
“The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.” www.ucsusa.org
United Nations Foundation
“The United Nations is the one international organization with the reach and vision capable of solving global problems. The United Nations Foundation links the UN’s work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, global health, peace and security, women’s empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access, and U.S.-UN relations.” www.unfoundation.org
Water.org
“At Water.org we envision the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water and experience the dignity of a toilet. For 25 years, we have been at the forefront of developing and delivering solutions to the water crisis. “ www.water.org
World Resources Institute
“WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.” www.wri.org
World Watch Institute
“Through research and outreach that inspire action, the Worldwatch Institute works to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world that meets human needs. The Institute’s top mission objectives are universal access to renewable energy and nutritious food, expansion of environmentally sound jobs and development, transformation of cultures from consumerism to sustainability, and an early end to population growth through healthy and intentional childbearing.” www.worldwatch.org