National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance

A nonprofit organization

$1,983 raised

A community caring for Wilderness

The National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance (NWSA) represents a nationwide network of nonprofit organizations that provide stewardship for America's public lands and wilderness areas. Our role is unique. We are the only national organization that is laser-focused on increasing nonprofit capacity for wilderness stewardship, bringing support to the wilderness stewardship community, driving our community forward, and supporting positive relationships between all working toward a better future for Wilderness. 

Advocating for Wilderness Stewardship

NWSA works behind the scenes on a national level to secure funding for wilderness stewardship and serves as voice for our non-profit partner organizations in national planning and budgeting processes. 

Funding Programs 

NWSA currently offers two grant programs, sourced through challenge cost share agreements with the Forest Service, to support nonprofit partners completing wilderness and trails stewardship on national forests: Wilderness Stewardship Performance (WSP), and Trail Stewardship Partnership (Trail Partners). To date these programs have applied $4.5 million in federal funding to on-the-ground projects and have connected over 175 member and partner organizations with federal land management agencies to address a backlog of stewardship needs. NWSA’s grantees have leveraged this funding at a 6:1 ratio, contributing over $24.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions, including over half a million volunteer hours, to accomplish essential stewardship work on America's wilderness and public lands. 

 


Connecting and Equipping the Wilderness Community

Connection is at the core of our work whether we are connecting stewardship organizations with each other, connecting stewardship organizations with Federal agency partners; connecting our community with training, funding, and other resources; or bridging the communication divide between an increasingly essential nonprofit workforce and the Federal land managers who need their help. The National Wilderness Workshop is our annual gathering designed to make these connections in person while providing an essential networking opportunity between nonprofit organizations and Federal land management agencies.


Mission

To grow and support a national network of wilderness and public land stewardship organizations to provide ongoing stewardship for America's wilderness areas.

Our vision is to see each wilderness area within the National Wilderness Preservation System adopted by a wilderness stewardship organization dedicated to protecting and nurturing the area’s character and values.

Background Statement

Incorporated in Colorado in 2010 and founded by passionate wilderness stewards and advocates in collaboration with all four of the federal land management agencies (U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service), NWSA works on a national level to bring vital resources and capacity to wilderness stewardship to support the care and preservation of America's public lands and Wilderness areas. NWSA works with over 170 nonprofit stewardship organizations across the U.S. and is a key partner with the Forest Service Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers and Trails programs.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance

other names

NWSA

Year Established

2010

Tax id (EIN)

30-0656123

Category

Environment, Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations, Public & Societal Benefit, Youth Development, Recreation & Sports

Organization Size

Medium Organization

Address

PO BOX 185
Del Norte, CO 81132

Service areas

US