The Nature Conservancy: Extremists in Disguise

A version of this article was previously published. Most of the information provided still holds true today. Western Justice is sharing to help reveal the manner in which extremist groups operate, their ties to and cooperation with other extremist groups, and the continued threat they pose to our lifestyles and livelihoods.

Most people familiar with animal and environmental issues recognize the big-name extremist groups: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)—recently rebranded as Humane World for Animals—alongside the ASPCA, PETA, and the Sierra Club. These groups are widely known for pushing radical agendas under the guise of animal welfare or environmental protection.

What many don’t see is the vast, interconnected web of lesser-known organizations working behind the scenes with them. These NGOs often present a moderate public image while quietly advancing the same extreme ideologies. One such group is The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

On the surface, TNC markets itself as conservation-focused and agriculture-friendly. Their website is peppered with buzzwords like “regenerative” and “sustainable,” suggesting alignment with responsible land stewardship. But scratch the surface, and a much different picture emerges. TNC is entangled with groups that oppose modern, science-based farming methods—methods that provide safe, affordable food to a growing population.

Extremist Networks and Partnerships

Take, for instance, the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust—a branch of HSUS that bans all hunting and trapping on its lands. TNC has donated at least three properties totaling 129 acres in North Carolina to this organization.

Their collaboration extends further. TNC’s New York chapter partners with the HSUS-linked Central New York Land Trust. Internationally, TNC’s former Costa Rica director, Andrea Borel, is now the Executive Director for Latin America at Humane Society International (HSI).

In a 2013 letter to President Obama, TNC’s former Director of U.S. Government Relations, Robert Bendick, signed alongside known radicals like disgraced ex-HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle and ASPCA government relations lead Nancy Perry.

Shared Staff, Lawyers, and Legal Tactics

In a 2018 press release, TNC’s then Director of Policy and External Affairs, Jay Ziegler, publicly supported a California budget proposal alongside HSUS, the Environmental Defense Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Ocean Conservancy—more telltale signs of ideological alignment.

Even their choice of legal and fundraising support shows shared strategy. TNC and various extremist groups retain the same solicitors, including:

• Netzel Grigsby Associates, with a client list featuring the HSUS and local SPCAs

• Donor Services Group, serving HSUS, ASPCA, and HSI

• SD&A Teleservices, which works with Farm Sanctuary, Greenpeace, and the Sierra Club

Shared Funding Sources

According to a 2015 report, TNC’s combined campaigns raised over $1.7 million, funding not only conservation projects but also political and legal advocacy.

More importantly, their donors mirror the giving patterns of extremist organizations:

• The Castanea Fellowship’s Windward Fund supports the “good food” movement—often a euphemism for anti-industrial agriculture.

• The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation funds Defenders of Wildlife and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

• The Wilburforce Foundation backs the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and others alongside TNC.

Dubious Land Deals

TNC holds conservation easements on more than 3 million acres of U.S. land. While marketed as tools for preserving habitats and reducing carbon emissions, these easements restrict agricultural development and often serve as backdoor land grabs.

A Washington Post investigation in 2003–2004 revealed shady practices: TNC was caught reselling easement-protected lands to developers in exchange for tax-deductible donations. The resulting scandal prompted Congressional reforms and forced TNC to promise changes—including ending insider land deals.

Political Influence and Bias

TNC’s political contributions lean heavily left. In 2020, 99% of their political donations went to Democrats, including:

• $14,000 to Senator Elizabeth Warren

• $4,000 to Senator Cory Booker, an outspoken vegan and sponsor of the radical Farm System Reform Act

TNC also supported the Great American Outdoors Act, which, despite its name, harms agricultural stakeholders who rely on public lands for grazing and hunting access.

Concerning Allies

Among TNC’s most vocal supporters is David Brower, former Executive Director of the Sierra Club and founder of radical groups like Earth First! and Friends of the Earth. In his own words:

“The Sierra Club made the Nature Conservancy look reasonable. I founded Friends of the Earth to make the Sierra Club look reasonable… Earth First! now makes us look reasonable. We’re still waiting for someone else to come along and make Earth First! look reasonable.”

Brower also championed the environment over human needs—a theme common in TNC’s alliances.

Anti-Farming Ideology—Hiding in Plain Sight

Unlike groups like PETA, TNC is more subtle. They avoid overtly attacking animal agriculture, instead pushing trendy concepts like “regenerative food systems.” While small-scale, niche farming can have merit, it is not scalable for feeding global populations efficiently.

Modern animal agriculture, built on decades of land-grant university research, is humane, sustainable, and science-driven. Yet the groups TNC aligns with seek to dismantle this system.

Consider California’s Prop 12, which enforces housing standards pushed by HSUS—not veterinarians or scientists. These standards, now imposed on all producers wishing to sell into California, are proven to increase animal stress, injury, and mortality. Still, TNC’s allies support such mandates.

The goal is clear: eliminate animal agriculture, one restriction at a time.

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The Bottom Line

While The Nature Conservancy wears the mask of environmental stewardship, its actions and alliances suggest otherwise. Their carefully crafted image obscures a quiet war on agriculture, property rights, and science-based animal care. It’s time to shine a light on these connections and ask: who’s really behind the green curtain?