NAICS 924120 Quarterly Industry Report
Administration of Conservation Programs
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 924120Sector: Public Administration (92)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Administration of Conservation Programs (NAICS 924120) draws on data from the Bureau of Land Management[1], Census Bureau[2], and the SBA[4]. Fair Market Value analysts examine federal land management budgets, conservation workforce data, and program funding specific to NAICS 924120. Additional data is drawn from Bureau of Labor Statistics[5].. Quarterly updates reflect changes in conservation policy, land management priorities, and endangered species listings.
Industry Definition & Overview
Administration of Conservation Programs (NAICS 924120) encompasses government establishments primarily engaged in the administration, regulation, and conservation of land, mineral, wildlife, and forest resources. This classification covers federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service (non-fire functions), as well as state departments of natural resources and local conservation districts. Soil conservation, wetland protection, and endangered species management programs all fall within this code.
The federal government manages approximately 640 million acres of public land, roughly 28 percent of the nation's total land area. Industry Bureau of Land Management[1] administers the largest share at 245 million acres, followed by the Forest Service and National Park Service. State conservation agencies manage additional millions of acres through state parks, wildlife management areas, and forestry programs. Local conservation districts, numbering nearly 3,000 across the country, work with landowners on soil erosion prevention and habitat restoration.
Conservation employment includes park rangers, wildlife biologists, foresters, soil scientists, and land management specialists. The Census Bureau's ASPEP survey[2] tracks natural resources as a government function. Market Bureau of Labor Statistics[3] reports occupational detail for conservation scientists and foresters across all employment settings. Federal conservation spending reaches billions annually through programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Endangered Species Act implementation, and wildfire prevention grants to state and local agencies.
What's Included in This Industry
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program offices
- National Park Service administrative offices
- Bureau of Land Management field and state offices
- U.S. Forest Service resource management offices
- State departments of natural resources and conservation
- Local soil and water conservation districts
- Wildlife management and endangered species offices
- State forestry agencies and forest protection offices
- Wetland protection and mitigation program offices
- Mineral rights and mining regulation agencies
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Public Administration | 92 |
| Subsector | Administration of Environmental Quality Programs | 924 |
| Industry Group | Administration of Environmental Quality Programs | 9241 |
| NAICS Industry | Administration of Conservation Programs | 92412 |
| National Industry | Administration of Conservation Programs | 924120 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 924110 | Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs | Air, water, and solid waste management agencies that share environmental stewardship goals with conservation programs and coordinate on habitat protection efforts |
| 923120 | Administration of Public Health Programs | Public health administration offices that collaborate with conservation agencies on zoonotic disease surveillance and environmental health studies in natural areas |
| 921120 | Legislative Bodies | Legislative bodies that authorize conservation funding, designate protected lands, and pass endangered species and natural resource legislation |
| 921110 | Executive Offices | Executive offices that set conservation policy priorities, propose funding levels, and appoint agency leadership for natural resource departments |
| 926140 | Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities | Agricultural marketing regulation offices that intersect with conservation programs on farmland preservation, soil health standards, and water use management |
| 922160 | Fire Protection | Fire protection agencies that coordinate with forest services on wildfire prevention, prescribed burn programs, and post-fire habitat restoration |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of agencies are classified under NAICS 924120?
NAICS 924120 covers government agencies managing land, wildlife, forest, and mineral resources, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, state natural resource departments, and local conservation districts. The Census Bureau[8] focuses on administration and regulation rather than direct resource extraction.
How are conservation programs structured across government levels?
Federal agencies manage 640 million acres of public land through the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service. States operate their own parks, forests, and wildlife agencies. Nearly 3,000 local conservation districts work with private landowners on soil and water stewardship.
Does the SBA set a size standard for NAICS 924120?
No. The SBA[9] does not establish size standards for Sector 92 codes because they represent government entities. Private conservation service providers use their own NAICS codes for SBA eligibility.
What NAICS codes are closely related to 924120?
Related codes include 924110 (Air and Water Resources), 926140 (Agricultural Marketing Regulation), 922160 (Fire Protection), and 921120 (Legislative Bodies). The Census Bureau[10] places conservation programs within the environmental quality and housing subsector.
What private-sector industries commonly serve conservation agencies?
Environmental consultants (NAICS 541620), engineering firms (NAICS 541330), scientific consultants (NAICS 541690), and IT vendors (NAICS 541512) are frequent contractors. Forestry service companies, restoration ecology firms, and outdoor recreation concessionaires also serve this market.
What activities are included under NAICS 924120?
Activities include managing public lands, protecting endangered species, regulating mining and mineral extraction, administering forest management plans, operating wildlife refuges, enforcing conservation easements, and coordinating habitat restoration. The Bureau of Land Management[1] alone administers 245 million acres of federal land.
Can businesses serving conservation agencies qualify for SBA loans?
Where are conservation program offices concentrated?
Federal land management agencies are headquartered in Washington, D.C., with field offices concentrated in Western states where most federal land is located. Every state capital has a natural resources department. Local conservation districts are distributed across nearly every county in the United States.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]Bureau of Land Management blm.gov
- [2]Census Bureau's ASPEP survey census.gov
- [3]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [4]SBA sba.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [7]504 loan program sba.gov
- [8]Census Bureau census.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
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