San Francisco Estuary Partnership

What San Francisco Estuary Partnership does

The San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) is a nonprofit collaborative regional program operating under the federal Clean Water Act as one of 28 National Estuary Programs in the United States. Founded in 1988 and headquartered at 375 Beale Street in San Francisco, SFEP coordinates regional-scale restoration, water quality improvement, and climate resilience work across nine Bay Area counties. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) serves as the home agency for SFEP staff and finances, providing institutional stability. SFEP's core programs include the Adaptation and Resilience Technical Assistance Program (ARTA) for local governments, community-based organizations, and tribes; the Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program (WRMP); the Estuary Youth Council Program for ages 18-24; the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program; the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program; and jointly staffed operations with the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority. The organization also convenes the Transforming Shorelines Collaborative and Bay Area Watershed Network as communities of practice, and manages engagement with five tribes and multiple CBOs including Mycelium Youth Network and Nuestra Casa.

SFEP's technical footprint centers on nature-based solutions for coastal resilience, most notably horizontal levee technology validated at the Oro Loma Living Laboratory (a 1.4-acre experimental site with UC Berkeley research partnership) and implemented at the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project — the first horizontal levee in the SF Bay Area hydrologically connected to the Bay. Supporting tools include the GreenPlan-IT GIS-based planning tool co-developed with the San Francisco Estuary Institute and the 2025-launched State of Our Estuary online hub for regional health indicator reporting. Recent publications (2024-2025) cover regulatory pathways for nature-based solutions, horizontal levee operations and maintenance, community engagement, and the largest community-driven tap water testing dataset in California (555 samples, 34,296 tests, 142 constituents).

SFEP's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial, leveraging federal funding (primarily EPA base funding under the National Estuary Program) with state bond funds (Prop 1) and local contributions. The organization distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in capital to grantees and contractors while retaining a lean operating budget consistent with a small staff of 11-50. Cumulative project throughput exceeds $100 million across planning, design, implementation, and community capacity-building. Customer/beneficiary segments span local governments and municipalities (primary), community-based organizations, tribal communities, disadvantaged communities, and Bay Area residents. SFEP generates no commercial revenue from product or service sales; its value proposition rests on its federal regulatory designation, 35+ year relationship network, and role as a trusted convener for Bay Area environmental governance.

Name

San Francisco Estuary Partnership

Legal name

San Francisco Estuary Partnership

Website

https://sfestuary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Francisco Estuary Partnership is a federally-designated National Estuary Program that coordinates regional restoration, water quality, and climate resilience projects across the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, serving local governments, tribes, community-based organizations, and disadvantaged communities through grant administration and technical assistance programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

• Estuary conservation
• Watershed restoration
• Water quality management
• Climate adaptation planning
• Habitat restoration services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants and Funding: SFEP leverages federal funding (primarily EPA) with millions of dollars in state and local funds for regional-scale restoration, water quality improvement, and resilience-building projects. Manages over $100 million in planning, design, implementation, and community capacity-building projects.
2. Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program: Manages Prop 1, Round 1 and Round 2 implementation grants, as well as the Disadvantaged Community and Tribal Involvement Program (DACTIP) grants.
3. Priority Conservation Area Grant Program: Administers PCA Grant Program funding for conservation projects across the Bay Area, with awarded projects ranging from $280,000 to $1,000,000.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) is a collaborative regional nonprofit program that protects, restores, and enhances water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary. It delivers technical assistance, administers federal and state grant programs, conducts regional wetland monitoring, supports nature-based infrastructure pilots (e.g., horizontal levees), convenes practitioner collaboratives, and runs youth and community engagement programs for Bay Area governments, tribes, and community-based organizations.

Product overview

San Francisco Estuary Partnership is a collaborative regional program that operates as a multi-faceted environmental organization rather than a single unified software product. The organization's offerings include: technical assistance programs (Adaptation and Resilience Technical Assistance Program/ARTA) supporting local governments and Tribes with climate adaptation; monitoring programs (Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program); youth development (Estuary Youth Council Program); funding programs (Integrated Regional Water Management, Priority Conservation Area Grant Program, San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority); collaborative communities of practice (Transforming Shorelines Collaborative, Bay Area Watershed Network); and comprehensive resource publications (Green Infrastructure Resources, Regulatory Pathways White Paper, Community Engagement Guide, Regional Needs Assessment, Tap Water Testing Reports). Key tools include the GreenPlan-IT GIS planning tool developed with SFEP. The State of Our Estuary website launched in 2025 provides centralized reporting on estuary health indicators. The organization also completed major projects including the Trash Capture Demonstration Project and PCBs in Caulk Project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Estuary Blueprint: A comprehensive action plan guiding the Partnership's work to protect and restore the San Francisco Estuary.
• Transforming Shorelines Collaborative
• Estuary Youth Council Program
• Adaptation and Resilience Technical Assistance Program (ARTA)

Products and services

• Adaptation and Resilience Technical Assistance Program (ARTA) Technical assistance program providing no-cost support to local governments, community-based organizations, and Tribes for climate adaptation and resilience planning, including nature-based solutions and shoreline projects.
• Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program (WRMP) Regional-scale monitoring program designed to improve wetland restoration project success by increasing the impact, utility, and application of permit-driven monitoring to inform science-based decision-making.
• Estuary Youth Council Program Hybrid program running June to December for youth aged 18-24 from Bay Area communities, providing education about the San Francisco Estuary, leadership development, and capstone projects addressing environmental issues.
• State of the Estuary Conference Biennial conference bringing together practitioners, decision-makers, and community members to discuss climate resilience, nature-based infrastructure, and estuary health.
• Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program Funding program supporting water management projects in the San Francisco Bay Area through grant rounds including Prop 1 implementation grants for regional water projects.
• Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program Grant program funding conservation projects across the Bay Area, with awarded projects including habitat restoration, trail development, and open space preservation, ranging from $280,000 to $1,000,000.
• San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority Jointly staffed with the State Coastal Conservancy, this regional effort enhances and protects wetlands and wildlife habitat in San Francisco Bay through funding and coordination. Measure AA generates approximately $25 million per year for shoreline projects.
• Transforming Shorelines Collaborative Nature-based solutions community of practice for the San Francisco Bay bringing together practitioners, decision-makers, and community members. Meets 3-4 times per year for interactive in-person and hybrid meetings on shoreline adaptation and urban water management.
• Community Engagement Guide for Nature-Based Solutions Guide for community engagement around nature-based solutions at each phase of the adaptive management cycle. Available in English and Spanish.
• Regional Needs Assessment Comprehensive assessment of water management needs across the San Francisco Bay Area, including findings from 12 community needs assessments, a Tribal needs assessment, and assessment of water access for people experiencing homelessness. Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
• Regulatory Pathways for Nature-Based Solutions White paper and case studies exploring regulatory challenges and permitting pathways for nature-based shoreline solutions and horizontal levee projects in the Bay Area.
• GreenPlan-IT GIS Planning Tool GIS-based green infrastructure planning tool developed in collaboration with San Francisco Estuary Institute that helps city staff identify cost-effective green infrastructure projects and prepare realistic budget estimates.
• San Francisco Bay Community-Led Tap Water Testing Program Community-driven tap water quality testing program operating 2019-2022, partnering with SimpleLab for certified laboratory testing. The largest community-driven tap water testing program conducted in California, with 555 samples and 34,296 tests.
• Bay Area Watershed Network (BAWN) Network connecting watershed groups across the Bay Area for collaboration on watershed protection, with annual meetings, working groups, and resources for grassroots organizations.
• Disadvantaged Community and Tribal Involvement Program (DACTIP) Program supporting community-led problem-definition and solutions development processes, building capacity for Disadvantaged Communities and Tribes to participate in water-related decision-making and planning.
• Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project First horizontal levee in the SF Bay Area hydrologically connected to the Bay, using treated wastewater to support restored habitats. Part of ARTA program portfolio with community-engaged microplastics research.
• Oro Loma Living Laboratory Experimental 1.4-acre horizontal levee study site testing wastewater treatment through vegetation on a gentle slope. Research conducted by UC Berkeley on contaminant removal, water quality, and vegetation dynamics.
• San Pablo Avenue Green Stormwater Spine Multi-year green infrastructure project along 12.5 miles of San Pablo Avenue through multiple East Bay cities, demonstrating low impact development stormwater capture and treatment.
• State of Our Estuary Online Hub Centralized, dynamic, accessible website for reporting on the health of the Estuary, sharing indicator metrics on water quality, fish and bird populations, tidal marshes, and more. Developed jointly with San Francisco Estuary Institute.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,003 trash capture devices installed across 60+ Bay Area municipalities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABAG serves as the home agency for San Francisco Estuary Partnership staff and finances. The Partnership is a collaborative regional program of ABAG. This is the most fundamental partnership, providing institutional framework and administrative support for all Partnership activities.
• San Francisco Bay Restoration AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFEP and State Coastal Conservancy jointly staff the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, a critically important regional effort to enhance and protect wetlands and wildlife habitat. Measure AA generates approximately $25 million per year for shoreline projects.
• San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partner collaborating on Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program, GreenPlan-IT tool development, Urban Greening Bay Area initiative, and the State of Our Estuary reporting hub launched in 2025. Also partnered on the 2025 Transforming Shorelines Collaborative launch.
• City of Palo AltomajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead implementer of the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project - the first horizontal levee in the SF Bay Area hydrologically connected to the Bay. Project uses treated wastewater for habitat restoration.
• UC Berkeley (Sedlak Research Group)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership conducting extensive scientific studies on the Oro Loma Horizontal Levee. Research findings on water quality, contaminant removal, nitrogen processing, and vegetation published in multiple peer-reviewed papers. Dr. David Sedlak and team serve on Transforming Shorelines Collaborative Leadership Team.
• Oro Loma Sanitary DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Oro Loma Living Laboratory horizontal levee pilot project. The 1.4-acre experimental site studies wastewater treatment integration with habitat restoration.
• East Bay Dischargers AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the First Mile Horizontal Levee project. Representatives serve on Transforming Shorelines Collaborative Leadership Team. Works on nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment.
• Environmental Science AssociatesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead designer for Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project. Also leads the Regulatory Pathways for Nature-based Solutions project team.
• HDRmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead designer for Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project alongside Environmental Science Associates.
• Nuestra CasamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization partner for Palo Alto Horizontal Levee community engagement and monitoring. Part of CBO Advisory Committee for Estuary Youth Council Program. Hosts youth in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City.
• CSU Channel IslandsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner leading microplastics pollution study at Palo Alto Horizontal Levee in partnership with Nuestra Casa. Sampling campaigns ongoing through 2026.
• Mycelium Youth NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO Advisory Committee member hosting Estuary Youth Council participants in Oakland and East Bay. Youth-centered organization dedicated to bridging climate-related disasters and environmental racism impacting low-income communities and communities of color.
• SimpleLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent water quality testing logistics company partnered with SFEP and Outreach Partners for the Tap Water Testing Program, connecting communities with certified laboratories for rigorous environmental testing.
• Bay Area Clean Waters AgenciesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Transforming Shorelines Collaborative Leadership Team, working on nature-based shoreline adaptation and urban water management.
• Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Urban Greening Bay Area initiative and Bay Area-Wide Trash Capture Demonstration Project. Joint effort involving municipalities, water boards, and state agencies.
• San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in multiple initiatives including green infrastructure planning and trash capture projects. Regulates stormwater through Municipal Regional NPDES Permit.
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder and partner for San Pablo Avenue Green Stormwater Spine project along 12.5 miles of major East Bay thoroughfare.
• Save The BaymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanting partner for Palo Alto Horizontal Levee construction. Collaborated on Wetland Migration Workshop planning and conducts Spartina Project invasive species work.
• US Geological Survey (USGS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonitoring partner for Palo Alto Horizontal Levee community-engaged research on microplastics.
• EPA Region 9coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Transforming Shorelines Collaborative Leadership Team and funds the SF Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund. Representatives Luisa Valiela and Sahrye Cohen serve as project advisors.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tampa Bay Estuary Program: One of the 28 National Estuary Programs designated under the Clean Water Act, operating as a comparable collaborative regional program for Tampa Bay. Directly parallel to SFEP in mandate, governance structure, and federal/state/local funding model.
• Chesapeake Bay Program: The largest and oldest National Estuary Program, coordinating restoration partnerships across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Directly comparable to SFEP as a multi-state/multi-jurisdiction collaborative program with federal designation and similar program pillars (monitoring, restoration, community engagement).
• Puget Sound Partnership: Washington state's National Estuary Program for Puget Sound, with a comparable mandate to protect and restore a large West Coast estuary through collaborative science, restoration, and policy work. Operates with a similar regional coordination role to SFEP.
• Narragansett Bay Estuary Program: Rhode Island-based National Estuary Program providing restoration, monitoring, and policy coordination for Narragansett Bay. Closely mirrors SFEP's structure as a small-team collaborative program with federal designation and multi-stakeholder funding.
• Long Island Sound Study: EPA National Estuary Program managing restoration of Long Island Sound via federal-state-local collaboration. Comparable to SFEP in coordinating conservation grants, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement across a defined coastal region.
• Galveston Bay Foundation: Texas-based nonprofit conservation organization focused on Galveston Bay preservation, restoration, and education. Comparable to SFEP in mission (estuary conservation) and stakeholder mix, though structured as a 501(c)(3) rather than a government-housed program.

Emerging players

• San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI): Direct, long-standing partner of SFEP co-developing the State of Our Estuary hub, GreenPlan-IT tool, and WRMP. Complementary in scope — SFEI focuses on environmental science and monitoring while SFEP focuses on program coordination and restoration — making it a tightly coupled peer within the same regional ecosystem.

Regional players

• Save The Bay: The largest grassroots nonprofit dedicated exclusively to San Francisco Bay, focused on habitat restoration, pollution prevention, and advocacy. Closely aligned with SFEP on Palo Alto Horizontal Levee planting and Spartina invasive species work; directly comparable in Bay Area geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (California): Global environmental nonprofit with significant California chapter work on coastal conservation, climate resilience, and nature-based infrastructure. Comparable to SFEP on coastal resilience strategy, but operates at much larger scale and broader geographic remit.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation, parks, and green infrastructure in urban areas. Operates overlapping urban greening and green stormwater programs in the Bay Area that are directly comparable to SFEP's Urban Greening Bay Area and GreenPlan-IT initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sanfranciscoestuarypartnership
• Facebookfacebook.com/SFEstuaryPartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-francisco-estuary-partnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/sfestuarypartnership
• Xx.com/sfestuary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco Estuary Partnership