Northern Forest Nature Nonprofits

The Northern Forest sweeps from the Adirondacks across northern New England and into Maine’s vast woods, the largest expanse of contiguous forest east of the Mississippi. This is working-forest country, a mosaic of timberlands, lakes, and mountains where the boreal north brushes against the eastern hardwoods. Moose and loon, brook trout and spruce grouse move through a landscape that has been logged for two centuries and is wild still.

The organizations here have written some of the largest conservation deals in the East, protecting working forests through easements that keep timber economies alive while barring subdivision. They safeguard the lakes and cold-water rivers, connect wildlands so wildlife can roam, and prove that a forest can be both a livelihood and a refuge.

Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion

270 organizations working across this landscape.

1% for the Planet

Burlington, VT

1% for the Planet represents a global network of members and environmental organizations tackling our planet's most pressing environmental issues.

Climate Energy

350 Maine

Portland, ME

350 Maine grew quickly in 2013 when faced with a pipeline project that would allow export of the dirtiest oil on earth from South Portland. 350 Maine volunteers, pa...

Water RiversClimate Energy

350Vermont

Burlington, VT

350VT is building a people-powered and people-led climate justice movement in Vermont for a just, thriving world. We are guided by the voices, experiences, and solut...

Climate EnergyOther

Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation

Saranac Lake, NY

The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is dedicated to promoting and inspiring passion for the conservation of Common Loons.

Water RiversWildlife Biodiversity

Adirondack Climbers' Coalition

Keene Valley, NY

The Adirondack Climbers’ Coalition is an advocacy group dedicated to responsible climbing in the Adirondack Forest Preserve of New York state.

Land ConservationEducation Advocacy

Adirondack Council

Elizabethtown, NY

Preserving the water, air, and wildlands of the Adirondack Park.

Climate Energy

Adirondack Hamlets to Huts, Inc.

Saranac Lake, NY

AHH establishes community-based routes that provide trekkers with the opportunity to hike, bike, or paddle from one place of lodging to the next.

Environmental JusticeEducation Advocacy

Adirondack Land Trust

Keene, NY

Our mission is to forever conserve the forests, farmlands, waters and wild places that advance the quality of life of our communities and the ecological integrity o...

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Adirondack Mountain Club

Saratoga Springs, NY

ADK is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for New York State’s wild lands and waters while also teaching people how to enjoy nat...

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Adirondack North Country Association

Saranac Lake, NY

Our work is distinguished by its results-driven focus, creating an inflow of resources, high-impact ideas, investments in infrastructure and greater diversity. We me...

Climate EnergySustainable Food Agriculture

AdkAction

Saranac Lake, NY
Water Rivers

Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation

Casco, ME

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation is a 501.c.3 nonprofit corporation in the State of Maine. As such we are a board-managed organization that enhances the S...

Water RiversWildlife Biodiversity

Allied Whale

Bar Harbor, ME

Allied Whale, founded in 1972 by College of the Atlantic faculty, staff, and students, is one of the oldest marine mammal research organizations in the eastern Uni...

Wildlife BiodiversityClimate Energy

Androscoggin Land Trust

Auburn, ME

ALT works to conserve and steward critical land in perpetuity for Androscoggin River watershed protection, wildlife habitat, natural resources, and outdoor recreatio...

Land ConservationWater Rivers

AquaAction

Montreal

AquaAction's mission is to restore freshwater health in North America. We engage young innovators, activate their technologies, and turn solutions into results!

Water RiversClimate Energy

Ascutney Trails Association

Brownsville, VT

The mission of ATA is to advocate for and maintain accessibility of low-impact trails and structures used for human powered recreational activities in the townships ...

Land Conservation

Atlantic Salmon Federation (USA)

Brunswick, ME

dedicated to the conservation & restoration of wild Atlantic salmon

Land ConservationMarine Oceans

Audubon Vermont

Huntington, VT

Audubon Vermont works to protect birds and the places birds need to thrive by building, strengthening, empowering, and activating a diverse network of chapters, memb...

Wildlife Biodiversity

Ausable Freshwater Center

Wilmington, NY

Over the past 25 years, the Ausable River Association has grown. WIth a staff of nine full-time professionals, our mission now extends to the entire Adirondack Park....

Water RiversWildlife Biodiversity

Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust

New London, NH

Preserving the rural character of the Mt. Kearsarge/Ragged/Lake Sunapee region.

Land Conservation

Avian Haven

Freedom, ME

Avian Haven is a nonprofit wild bird rehabilitation center dedicated to the return of injured and orphaned birds and turtles to natural roles in the wild. We provide...

Wildlife BiodiversityEducation Advocacy

Beaver Brook Association

Hollis, NH

The mission of Beaver Brook Association is to promote the understanding of interrelationships in the natural world and to encourage conservation of natural resources...

Wildlife BiodiversityEducation Advocacy

Bee The Change

Weybridge, VT

We create pollinator habitat in solar fields and other spaces.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Beyond Plastics

Bennington, VT

Pairing the wisdom & experience of environmental experts with the energy of grassroots activists to build a vibrant movement to end plastic pollution

Education AdvocacyWaste Circular Economy

Bicycle Coalition of Maine

Portland, ME

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s mission is to make Maine a better place for cycling, walking, and rolling.

Climate EnergyOutdoor Recreation Access

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

East Boothbay, ME

We advance bold science for our blue planet.

Water RiversClimate Energy

Blue Hill Heritage Trust

Blue Hill, ME

Community land trust based in Blue Hill, Maine, serving the Blue Hill Peninsula.

Land ConservationEducation Advocacy

Blue Latitudes Foundation

Kittery, ME

The Blue Latitudes Foundation elevates the traditional concept of ocean stewardship by uniting government, industry and the community to work together to conserve ou...

Water RiversWildlife Biodiversity

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

Portsmouth, NH

Protecting marine life in the Gulf of Maine through research, education and inspiring action.

Marine OceansWildlife Biodiversity

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center BEEC

West Brattleboro, VT

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) has been providing southeastern Vermont with quality outdoor education programs since 1991.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative

Bowdoinham, ME

BCDI leverages local resources and facilitates collaboration among the for-profit, non-profit, and government sectors to promote sustainable economic and community d...

Land ConservationSustainable Food Agriculture

Branch Out Burlington!

Burlington, VT

We are a private non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to planting and caring for trees in and beyond Burlington and educating the public on the values of the...

Land ConservationClimate Energy

Bristol Recreation Club

Bristol, VT

Bristol Recreational Club's (BRC) mission is to maintain outdoor recreation space for the amusement, enjoyment, and recreation of the residents of Bristol, Vermont. ...

Land ConservationEducation Advocacy

Brunswick Topsham Landtrust

Brunswick, ME

Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust conserves and stewards vital natural areas, supports a vibrant local food system, and connects people with the natural world through inc...

Wildlife BiodiversitySustainable Food Agriculture

Burlington School Food Project

Burlington, VT
Sustainable Food Agriculture

Cape Elizabeth Land Trust

Cape Elizabeth, ME

The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust permanently conserves and stewards cherished lands – from shorelands to marshes, from farmlands to woodlands – for ecological benefit a...

Wildlife BiodiversityEducation Advocacy

Casco Bay Estuary Partnership

Portland, ME

To conserve the ecological integrity of Casco Bay and its watershed through science, public stewardship and effective management.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Catamount Trail Association

Burlington, VT

Catamount Trail Association is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with terrestrial ecosystems. Based in Burlington, VT, United States of America...

Land Conservation

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, Inc

East Thetford, VT

certified organic vegetable, berry and flower farm with education center

Sustainable Food AgricultureEducation Advocacy

Center for an Ecology Based Economy

Norway, ME

ORGANIZE, EDUCATE, TAKE DIRECT ACTION AND IMPLEMENT PRACTICAL ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR A JUST TRANSITION TO A THRIVING, REGENERATIVE ECONOMY

Climate Energy

Center for Sustainable Organizations (CSO)

Woodstock, VT
Climate Energy

Center for Whole Communities

Burlington, VT

Center for Whole Communities exists to cultivate transformative leadership that weaves together and strengthens movements for justice and the environment.

Land Conservation

Center for Wildlife

Cape Neddick, ME

Center for Wildlife is a private, non-profit conservation medicine and environmental education organization located in Cape Neddick, ME.

Wildlife BiodiversityEducation Advocacy

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity

Burlington, VT

Food Systems:

Sustainable Food AgricultureEducation Advocacy

Champlain Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter #138

South Burlington, VT

Champlain Valley Chapter #138 of Trout Unlimited's mission is to Conserve, Protect, and Restore the coldwater fisheries and watersheds throughout Northwest and Centr...

Land ConservationWater Rivers

ChildVoice International

Newmarket, NH

ChildVoice exists to restore the voices of children silenced by war.

Environmental Justice

Climatework Maine

Portland, ME

ClimateWork Maine (CWM) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Maine that serves as a support network for businesses, organizations, and communities taking ...

Climate EnergyEducation Advocacy

Climbing Resource Access Group of Vermont (CRAG-VT)

Burlington, VT

CRAG-VT a not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) organization dedicated to preserving access and conservation of Vermont’s climbing resources. We serve the climbing community of...

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Collaborative for Bioregional Action Learning & Transformation (COBALT)

Portland, ME

“Building dynamic relationships between self, others, place and nature - we navigate our future together”

Marine OceansClimate Energy

Come Alive Outside

Rutland, VT

Children today spend over seven hours a day looking at screens and half as much time outside as they did in 1980.  The numbers are even worse for adults, and this ...

Sustainable Food AgricultureWaste Circular Economy

Common Roots

South Burlington, VT

The organizations primary mission is to develop and steward sustainable, permanantly affordable homes that build wealth and security for poor and working people. The...

Sustainable Food Agriculture

Cross Vermont Trail Association

Montpelier, VT

Cross Vermont Trail Association Inc is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with conservation / land trusts. Based in Montpelier, VT, United State...

Land ConservationLand Conservation

Cultivating Community (US)

Portland, ME

Empowering people and building sustainable communities in Southern Maine through food and land access.

Sustainable Food AgricultureEducation Advocacy

D Acres of New Hampshire

Dorchester, NH

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS TO RESEARCH, APPLY & TEACH SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING & ORGANIC FARMING.

Climate Energy

Defend Our Health

Portland, ME

We work to create a world where all people are thriving, with equal access to safe food and drinking water, healthy homes, and products that are toxic-free and

Water RiversWaste Circular Economy

Downeast Salmon Federation

Columbia Falls, ME

Unprecedented attention, collaboration and resources are converging to make the return of the iconic wild Atlantic salmon to the rivers of eastern Maine a reality....

Marine OceansWildlife Biodiversity

Draft Animal Power Network, Inc.

Vergennes, VT

Draft Animal Power Network, Inc. is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with food systems. Based in Vergennes, VT, United States of America, it i...

Sustainable Food Agriculture

EarthWalk Vermont

Plainfield, VT

EarthWalk Vermont, founded in 2005 by Angella Gibbons, is a nonprofit nature education organization located in the Winooski River Valley in Plainfield, Vermont. Ea...

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

ECHO - Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Burlington, VT
Water Rivers

Falmouth Land Trust

Falmouth, ME

The mission of the Falmouth Land Trust is to preserve and care for natural and agricultural lands in perpetuity, to enhance habitat for plants and wildlife, to advan...

Wildlife BiodiversityEducation Advocacy