Based on Washington Post articles (1, 2, 3, 4), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) smells like something that started with good intentions and then got swamped by carpet baggers.  Apparently, they interpreted the word "conserve" literally: to keep up and reserve for personal or special use.  Buying land using people's donation and then drilling for oil is ridiculous.  I'll bet Bush would be their dream CEO.

Their network of websites gives an entirely different picture, although I can't help notice that they look very well and expensively done.  I hope every one who took part in those "not illegal" deals get nailed to the wall.  I am going to tell everyone I know to avoid TNC like the plague.