The Livestock Conservancy, formerly known as the
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (
ALBC) and prior to that, the
American Minor Breeds Conservancy, is a
nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting
rare breeds, also known as "heritage breeds" of
livestock. Founded in 1977, through the efforts of livestock breed enthusiasts concerned about the disappearance of many of the US's heritage livestock breeds, the Conservancy was the pioneer livestock preservation organization in the United States, and remains a leading organization in that field. It has initiated programs that have saved multiple breeds from extinction, and works closely with similar organizations in other countries, including
Rare Breeds Canada. With 3,000 members, a staff of nine and a 19-member board of directors, the organization has an operating budget of almost half a million dollars.