NAICS 813312 Quarterly Industry Report
Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 813312Sector: Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Environment, Conservation, and Wildlife Organizations (NAICS 813312) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[11], and IRS[10] tax-exempt organization data. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, environmental sector analysts, and conservation industry advisors with current market data. Additional data is drawn from SBA[12].. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the environment, conservation and wildlife organizations industry.
NAICS Sector
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Industry Definition & Overview
Environment, Conservation, and Wildlife Organizations (NAICS 813312) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in promoting the preservation and protection of the environment and wildlife per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include environmental preservation advocacy, wildlife protection and habitat restoration, clean air and water campaigns, climate change policy advocacy, natural resource conservation, endangered species protection programs, environmental education and outreach, and land trust operation for conservation purposes.
Environmental organizations range from large national and international groups to small land trusts and local conservation committees. Major organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, and National Audubon Society operate multi-program campaigns addressing climate, biodiversity, land conservation, and pollution reduction. Land trusts acquire and manage conservation easements protecting agricultural land, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitat from development. Per Census Bureau[6] data, roughly 3,700 environmental organization establishments employ approximately 74,000 workers in advocacy, field conservation, research, fundraising, and program management. Revenue comes from individual donations, foundation grants, government conservation contracts, corporate sponsorships, and membership dues. The EPA[7] coordinates with environmental organizations on air quality, water protection, and pollution prevention programs, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service[8] partners with conservation groups on endangered species recovery and habitat management.
Environmental organizations are generally exempt from standard SBA[9] size classifications as tax-exempt nonprofit entities. The IRS[10] classifies most environmental organizations as 501(c)(3) public charities. State attorneys general oversee charitable solicitation and nonprofit governance compliance.
What's Included in This Industry
- Environmental preservation advocacy campaigns
- Wildlife protection and habitat restoration
- Climate change policy advocacy
- Clean air and water initiatives
- Land trust and conservation easement management
- Endangered species recovery programs
- Environmental education and outreach
- Natural resource conservation programs
- Marine and ocean conservation
- Sustainable agriculture and forestry advocacy
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 81 |
| Subsector | Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 813 |
| Industry Group | Social Advocacy Organizations | 8133 |
| NAICS Industry | Social Advocacy Organizations | 81331 |
| National Industry | Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations | 813312 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 813311 | Human Rights Organizations | Human Rights Organizations shares the social advocacy sector with environmental organizations when environmental justice connects ecological concerns with civil rights, as communities facing disproportionate pollution and resource deprivation experience intersecting environmental and social equity challenges |
| 813319 | Other Social Advocacy Organizations | Other Social Advocacy Organizations pursues social welfare causes that intersect with environmental advocacy on issues including sustainable development, public health impacts of pollution, and equitable access to clean water and energy resources |
| 813211 | Grantmaking Foundations | Grantmaking Foundations provides philanthropic funding for environmental research, conservation programs, and climate advocacy, with environmental grantmaking from major foundations supporting the program operations and campaign activities of conservation organizations |
| 813219 | Other Grantmaking and Giving Services | Other Grantmaking and Giving Services distributes federated campaign contributions to environmental organizations alongside health and social service recipients, with workplace giving programs and community campaigns channeling donor support to conservation causes |
| 813110 | Religious Organizations | Religious Organizations incorporates environmental stewardship into faith-based teaching and community programming, with creation care movements and interfaith environmental coalitions connecting religious values to conservation action and climate advocacy |
| 813410 | Civic and Social Organizations | Civic and Social Organizations operates community groups that collaborate with environmental organizations on local conservation projects, with civic associations and conservation committees coordinating on parks, waterways, and community green space preservation |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10.9% | 909 |
| 2 | New York | 5.6% | 468 |
| 3 | Texas | 4.7% | 394 |
| 4 | Florida | 4.4% | 365 |
| 5 | Washington | 3.8% | 315 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 3.5% | 291 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.5% | 290 |
| 8 | Colorado | 3.5% | 287 |
| 9 | Oregon | 3.1% | 256 |
| 10 | Virginia | 3.0% | 253 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$3.7M
Total Loan Volume
$458K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.50%
Average Interest Rate
80
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Environment, Conservation, and Wildlife Organizations (NAICS 813312) are generally exempt from standard SBA[9] size classifications as tax-exempt nonprofit entities. The IRS[10] classifies most environmental organizations as 501(c)(3) public charities. Some conservation-affiliated enterprises may access SBA lending programs[13] for qualifying business activities. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[14] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[15] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Climate First Bank | 8 | $3.7M | $458K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for environmental organizations?
NAICS 813312 covers environment, conservation, and wildlife organizations engaged in environmental advocacy, habitat protection, and wildlife conservation per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
How many environmental organizations operate in the U.S.?
Per Census Bureau[6] data, roughly 3,700 environmental organization establishments employ approximately 74,000 workers in advocacy, field conservation, research, and program management functions.
What are the largest environmental organizations?
Major organizations include The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, and National Audubon Society per Bureau of Labor Statistics[11] industry classification data.
How are environmental organizations funded?
Revenue comes from individual donations, foundation grants, government conservation contracts, corporate sponsorships, membership dues, and land trust transaction fees per IRS[10] Form 990 reporting data for environmental nonprofits.
What is a land trust?
Land trusts are conservation organizations that acquire and manage conservation easements protecting agricultural land, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitat from development, with land trust transactions permanently restricting land use to conservation purposes per Census Bureau[6] classification.
What government agencies work with environmental organizations?
What occupations work in environmental organizations?
Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[11] data, organizations employ environmental scientists, conservation biologists, policy analysts, fundraising professionals, field technicians, communications staff, and executive leadership directing conservation strategy.
Are environmental organizations tax-exempt?
The IRS[10] classifies most environmental organizations as 501(c)(3) public charities exempt from federal income tax, with donations to qualifying organizations tax-deductible for contributors subject to IRS charitable contribution deduction rules.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]EPA epa.gov
- [8]U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fws.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]IRS irs.gov
- [11]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [12]SBA sba.gov
- [13]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [14]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [15]504 loans sba.gov
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