About LightHawk
Where aviation meets conservation
Since 1979, LightHawk has defined conservation flying, combining aviation and conservation expertise to reveal change, reach remote places, and improve outcomes nationwide.
Our Mission
Conservation Flying, Led by Experience
LightHawk advances conservation through the power and perspective of flight.
LightHawk has been putting aviation to work for conservation since 1979. Our experienced conservation team works alongside partners to design each mission around the conservation goal, drawing on decades of expertise to determine how aviation can make the greatest contribution. From there, we bring together highly skilled volunteer pilots and the right aircraft to put that strategy into action.
We reveal change across entire landscapes, reach remote places, move wildlife, and bring a broader perspective to conservation decisions. This is conservation flying at a scale few others can match.
WHY LIGHTHAWK
Aviation Built for Conservation
Aviation can dramatically expand the speed, reach, access, and perspective of conservation work. Yet the aircraft, expertise, and mission design needed to use it effectively are often beyond the reach of most conservation organizations.
LightHawk was built to change that.
Our conservation team determines where aviation can have the greatest impact, designs missions around the conservation need, and brings together highly experienced volunteer pilots and the right aircraft for the job. Our pilots donate their expertise, time, aircraft, and fuel.
That combination of conservation expertise, aviation experience, and mission design is what makes LightHawk different.
Where We Work
Conservation across borders.
LightHawk works throughout the United States and into parts of Canada and Mexico, bringing conservation expertise and a highly skilled network of volunteer pilots to missions across the continent.
Volunteer pilots
Flights last year
Flying since
Conservation priorities
Go Deeper
Get to know LightHawk
Explore the people, history, transparency, and stories behind nearly five decades of conservation flying.
About
Our People
Learn more about our staff, board, and advisory council helping guide LightHawk’s work.
Meet the team
About
Our Transparency
Annual reports, financials, and the policies that keep us accountable.
View Our Reports
About
Our Missions
Explore stories from across LightHawk’s work and see how aviation is being used to advance conservation on the ground.
Explore our work
About
Contact Us
Questions, media inquiries, partnerships, and more. We’ll help you reach the right person.
Get in touchthe next chapter
47 years.
Still looking ahead.
For nearly five decades, LightHawk has taken to the air to change what’s possible for conservation. The challenges ahead are significant. So is the opportunity to meet them with a different perspective.