The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

How can we achieve such an ambitious goal?

We have developed a strategic, science-based planning process, called Conservation by Design, which helps us identify the highest-priority places—landscapes and seascapes that, if conserved, promise to ensure biodiversity over the long term. In other words, Conservation by Design allows us to achieve meaningful, lasting conservation results.

Worldwide, there will be thousands of these precious places. Taken together, they form something extraordinary: a vision of conservation success and a roadmap for getting there—the Conservation Blueprint. Simply put, by protecting and managing these Last Great Places over the long term, we can secure the future of the natural world.

How can The Nature Conservancy protect ALL of these places?

We can't buy them all, and we certainly can't protect them single-handedly. But by joining together with communities, businesses, governments, partner organizations and people like you, we can preserve our lands and waters for future generations to use and enjoy.

Learn more about Conservation by Design