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Priority Landscapes

Collaborating for Conservation

Across 11 Western U.S. states and Canada, The Nature Conservancy is committed to large-scale conservation impact through deep collaboration, on-the-ground work and policy.

A rainbow over mountains and pine trees.
Western U.S. and Canada From Alaska to the east coast of Canada, and from the Pacific Northwest to the Southwestern U.S. desert and plains, this is an iconic and deeply diverse part of the world. © Robert Harding Picture Library/National Geographic Image Collection

From glimmering coastlines and majestic mountains to vibrant deserts, cool forests and sweeping grasslands, the American West and Canada hold some of the planet’s most iconic places and species—from saguaros to salmon to polar bears.

But the region faces mounting pressures: intensifying wildfires, historic drought, growing development, resource extraction and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

Gold poppies growing in a field with cacti and mountains in the background.
Santa Catalina Mountains California gold poppies adorn a small meadow in the foothills of Pusch Ridge, Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson. © Jeff Maltzman

To meet this moment, we work across borders, share science and scale up proven conservation approaches to deliver lasting benefits for people and wildlife—and contribute to global progress. Our work across the region is grounded in how we work:

  • Use science to guide decisions
  • Collaborate with Indigenous and local communities, ranchers, agencies and NGOs
  • Advance policies that remove barriers and increase conservation funding

In Canada, The Nature Conservancy contributes to conservation outcomes through its Canadian affiliate, Nature United. Working across forests, freshwater systems, grasslands and coastal regions, Nature United helps advance solutions that benefit both people and nature while contributing to broader regional goals shared across Western states. Many of the issues we face, from climate change and biodiversity loss to sustainable resource management, transcend borders, making collaboration and shared learning between Canada and the Western U.S. essential to achieving lasting conservation impact.

Nature United

Learn more about conservation in Canada.

Explore our work
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Western U.S. and Canada The Nature Conservancy works collaboratively across 11 U.S. states and Canada. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Bristol Bay Highlighted in yellow, the Bristol Bay is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Climate Action & Renewables Highlighted in yellow, climate action and renewable energy are conservation priorities for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
An illustrated map of the U.S. and Canada.
Colorado River Basin Highlighted in yellow, the Colorado River Basin is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Columbia River Basin Highlighted in yellow, the Columbia River Basin is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Edge Highlighted in yellow, the Emerald Edge is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Grasslands Highlighted in yellow, grasslands are a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
An illustrated map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Sagebrush Sea Highlighted in yellow, the Sagebrush Sea is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Western Dry Forests Highlighted in yellow, Western Dry Forests are a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC
A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Western U.S. and Canada The Nature Conservancy works collaboratively across 11 U.S. states and Canada. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Our Conservation Priorities Across the West

TNC and partners are collaborating across the West to advance conservation on a transformative scale. Scroll through the map to see where the work touches down, highlighted in yellow.

A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Bristol Bay Highlighted in yellow, the Bristol Bay is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Bristol Bay

Alaska’s Bristol Bay is the world’s most important wild salmon nursery. The watershed feeds wildlife, a historic commercial fishery, local and Indigenous communities and people across the planet. Yet this globally important salmon run is in danger, and we may be facing our last chance to save it.

A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Climate Action & Renewables Highlighted in yellow, climate action and renewable energy are conservation priorities for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Climate Action & Renewable Energy

Across the Western U.S., we’re leveraging science and policy to accelerate the clean energy transition while also protecting connected landscapes that are essential for sustaining all life.

An illustrated map of the U.S. and Canada.
Colorado River Basin Highlighted in yellow, the Colorado River Basin is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Colorado River Basin

Spanning 1,500 miles of river across seven U.S. states and two countries, we’re working to protect this iconic lifeline of the West.

A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Columbia River Basin Highlighted in yellow, the Columbia River Basin is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Columbia River Basin

Alongside Tribes and First Nations in the Basin who have been leading salmon recovery efforts for decades, we are advancing habitat restoration, advocating for policy solutions and growing capacity for clean energy development to support Tribes, communities and local economies.

A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Edge Highlighted in yellow, the Emerald Edge is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Emerald Edge

In the world’s largest temperate rainforest, we’re pursuing community, conservation and climate action.

A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Grasslands Highlighted in yellow, grasslands are a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Grasslands

Globally, grasslands are the least protected and most threatened terrestrial habitat. In the Northern Great Plains and Southern High Plains, we’re partnering with landowners, ranchers, Tribal communities, policymakers and other conservation organizations to ensure tangible, lasting outcomes for vulnerable grassland species and their habitat.

An illustrated map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Sagebrush Sea Highlighted in yellow, the Sagebrush Sea is a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Sagebrush Sea

Across 13 U.S. states, the Sagebrush Sea hosts a complex web of native plants—sagebrush, bunchgrasses, wildflowers—that support more than 350 species of conservation concern.

A map of the western U.S. and Canada.
Western Dry Forests Highlighted in yellow, Western Dry Forests are a conservation priority for The Nature Conservancy's Western U.S. and Canada Division. © Erica Simek Sloniker/TNC

Noted in yellow

Western Dry Forests

Building on more than 60 years of expertise in prescribed fire and forest management, we’re leading and convening efforts to restore dry forest resiliency and reduce wildfire severity throughout the West.

A river flowing through the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park Toroweap on the north side of the Grand Canyon at sunset. © Craig Bill

POLICY PRIORITY

Protecting Public Lands

The Western U.S. contains approximately 90% of our national public lands—places that keep our air and water clean, provide critical habitat for plants and animals and drive local economies and the $1 trillion outdoor recreation industry. Increasingly, these lands are facing numerous threats from decreased funding to wide-scale sell-offs.

Learn how The Nature Conservancy is committed to keeping public lands in public hands.

Support Our Work in the West

By donating to The Nature Conservancy, you'll make a direct impact in catalyzing our conservation work across the Western U.S. and Canada.

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