Nature United is a 4-star charity with an average results reporting grade. Its funding reserves are within Ci’s reasonable range and can cover less than one month of annual program costs. For every dollar donated to Nature United, 83 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Nature United is the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, the world’s largest conservation charity, which is based in the U.S. Nature United and The Nature Conservancy are separate from Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) and are not affiliated with NCC. The Nature Conservancy provides the majority of Nature United’s donations, accounting for 87% of total donations in F2025.

Founded in 2014, Nature United's vision is for a sustainable Canada where nature supports healthy communities and a strong economy. It works to address climate change, biodiversity loss and the decline of Canada’s lands and waters. The charity reports that nature-based sectors (agriculture, forestry, fisheries) have grown 0.3% slower year-over-year than the rest of Canada’s economy over the past 25 years. One of its studies also predicts that 87 of 89 staple B.C. fisheries will decline by 2050. Nature United found that better farming practices could cut emissions by 37.4 Mt of CO2e annually, equivalent to removing more than eight million gas-powered cars from the road.

Nature United has five main program areas: Climate Change, Indigenous-Led Conservation, Sustainable Agriculture, Policy and Practice, and Global Solutions. In F2025, it spent $38.0m on its programs and grants.

Climate Change focuses on using nature-based solutions to help address climate change. Nature United recognized tree planting as an important conservation tool, but realized there was limited guidance on where trees should be planted in Canada. In F2025, the charity published research on the best places to plant trees and created an interactive map to help identify these areas. The tool shows where trees can provide the greatest climate, biodiversity and community benefits. It received more than 300 visits during the year.

Indigenous-Led Conservation aims to support Indigenous Nations and groups in leading conservation work. In F2025, Nature United supported 51 Indigenous Nations and Indigenous-led groups. Its YOLO (Youth on the Land Opportunities) network supports more than 400 practitioners and 20 youth programs across Canada by helping Indigenous youth connect with land-based learning and cultural knowledge. Nature United also compiled more than 120 resources for youth on-the-land programs.

Sustainable Agriculture focuses on helping farmers use more sustainable practices while improving farm profits. The charity reports that while sustainable agriculture has been shown to improve profit margins by as much as 30 per cent, producers won’t see those gains until the fifth or sixth year of practice, leading many farmers to delay or avoid making the transition. Nature United works to address this barrier by testing sustainable practices in real-world farm settings and developing financial incentives to help farmers manage the transition. In F2025, it launched its first Model Farm Network in Saskatchewan, with more than 16,000 hectares enrolled. It also launched four research projects and engaged more than 70 stakeholders through farm events.

Policy and Practice works to improve conservation policy through advocacy. In F2025, Nature United supported two new government announcements, including a Nature Agreement in the Northwest Territories and progress toward a Nature Agreement in Manitoba. Nature United also supported the Great Bear Sea conservation initiative, which aims to protect 10 million hectares of marine ecosystem.

Global Solutions focuses on linking Nature United’s work to its global affiliate. In F2025, the global network supported more than 100 marine conservation projects. It also helped protect more than 125 million hectares of land around the world.

Nature Canada’s audited financial statements follow line-item costing, which is not a best practice. This means its expenses are not clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

The charity had total revenues of $36.8m in F2025. It received $11.2m in Canadian donations, representing 30% of revenue and $24.3m from The Nature Conservancy (recorded as international donations), equal to 66% of revenue. It also received $1.2m in fees for service from The Nature Conservancy, equal to 3% of revenue.

Nature United spent $38.0m on its programs and grants. The charity recorded a deficit of $4.9m in F2025, meaning it drew on its reserves to fund operations.

Administrative costs were $2.5m, representing 7% of revenue (excluding investment income). The charity spent $1.1m on fundraising, equal to 10% of donations. Total overhead spending was 17%. For every dollar donated to Nature United, 83 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

The charity held $2.9m in reserve funds (cash and investments) in F2025. These reserves can cover less than one month of annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This is a charity update that has been sent to Nature United by Neela Jalilian on August 17, 2026.