Rainforest Action Network

The relatively new Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is lauded by various media organizations as being incredibly savvy. Based in San Francisco and Tokyo, the 43 employees and thousands of members create memorable and often stigmatizing(when necessary) marketing campaigns to get corporations to clean up their acts. When companies like Home Depot and Citigroup make positive changes that better the environment, RAN is quick to give praise – but never scared to dish out harsh critique.

The Nature Conservancy

Since its inception in 1951 the Nature Conservancy has dedicated itself to saving lands and waters. With over 117 million acres sustained, 5,000 miles of rivers kept clean, and hundreds of marine conservation projects, the Nature Conservancy is one of the most successful and effective green organizations in existence. The science-based approach (they have 700 scientists on staff) is used in all conservation efforts around the world.

Heal the Bay

This regional (California-based) research-and-advocacy organization has become an iconic representative of ocean conservation and marine sustainability. It has inspired numerous other ocean protection organizations. It all started in 1985 when founder Dorothy Green and her cofounders got sick of the fact that Santa Monica Bay was a cesspool of untreated sewage. Animals were dying, people suffered infections if they swam, and vast swaths of the Bay were essentially dead. Today, the Bay is much cleaner and safer.

Surfrider

Like its just-barely southern cousin Heal the Bay, Surfrider protects California coastline and marine life. From the site: "The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide". Though originally focused on Southern California, Surfrider helps mobilize people to get active in supporting ocean conservation everywhere.