Cibolo Center for Conservation

What Cibolo Center for Conservation does

The Cibolo Center for Conservation (legally Friends of the Cibolo Wilderness, EIN 74-2564700) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 in Boerne, Texas that protects 253 acres of Texas Hill Country land across the Cibolo Nature Center, Herff Farm, Sisterdale Sanctuary, and Malakopf Preserve. Its core offering is the conservation estate itself — 20+ miles of trails, five distinct ecosystems, and 749 documented wildlife species — supplemented by a portfolio of programmatic products: the Nest Nature School (nature-based preschool and kindergarten at $1,300/month), tuition-based education programs serving 4,000+ participants annually, venue rentals across multiple historic properties, a weekly Saturday farmers market at Herff Farm, the Moondance summer concert series, a pollinator program in partnership with the Texas Hill Country Beekeepers Association, and a Community Science initiative backed by academic partners including Trinity University and University of the Incarnate Word. The organization also operates iOS and Android mobile apps providing interactive trail maps and ecosystem content for visitors.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of individual donations, membership fees, foundation and government grants, tuition (preschool, kindergarten, summer camps), event and venue rentals, photo permits ($25 single session / $250 annual), and farmers market vendor fees. Nature Center admission is free. The organization serves families with children, K-12 schools and homeschool groups, nature enthusiasts, local businesses seeking volunteer and event venues, and conservation donors, with 44,000+ annual visitors across its properties. Leadership includes CEO Thomas M. Mengler, Chief Advancement Officer Dianna Hopkins (CFRE), and Chief Business Officer Marcus Felan, supported by a staff of approximately 25 spanning conservation, education, development, communications, and park operations. The organization received the Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in 2023 and is currently expanding its protected footprint through the Cibolo Conservation Corridor completed in November 2025.

Name

Cibolo Center for Conservation

Legal name

Friends of the Cibolo Wilderness

Website

https://cibolo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cibolo Center for Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Boerne, Texas that protects 253 acres of Hill Country habitat and operates nature education programs, the Nest Nature School, venue rentals, and a farmers market for families, schools, and conservation supporters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Conservation and Environmental Education

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Agritourism Eco-Lodges & Farm Nature Stays (THAAAHAL)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Nature conservation services
• Nature-based preschool
• Land stewardship
• Community farmers market

Headquarters

HQ city

Boerne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Voluntary contributions from supporters and annual membership fees from individuals and families
2. Educational Programs and Camps: Tuition-based programs including Nest Nature School, kindergarten, summer camps, and educational workshops for children and families
3. Event and Venue Rentals: Rental income from hosting meetings, weddings, retreats, and special events at various venues across properties
4. Grants and Foundation Funding: Grant funding from foundations and government agencies supporting conservation initiatives and educational programs
5. Photo Permits: Fees charged for photography sessions on conservation properties - $25 single session, $250 annual permit
6. Farmers Market and Vendors: Weekly Saturday market featuring local vendors generating community engagement and potential rental/commission revenue

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Cibolo Center for Conservation operates a 253-acre conservation campus in the Texas Hill Country, comprising the Cibolo Nature Center, Herff Farm, and Sisterdale Sanctuary. It sells nature-based education programs (including the Nest Nature School preschool/kindergarten, summer camps, and field trips), event and venue rentals, farmers market vendor opportunities, and photo permits. The organization is supported by donations, memberships, and grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

The Cibolo Center for Conservation is a nature conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and facilities. The core offerings include the Cibolo Nature Center (160+ acre preserve with trails and ecosystems), Herff Farm (60-acre historic farmstead), and Nest Nature School (nature-based preschool with kindergarten). Supporting programs include the Cibolo Mobile App for visitor engagement, the weekly Cibolo Farmers Market at Herff Farm, Event Rentals for venue bookings, Education Programs (field trips, camps, homeschool, night hikes), the Bee Program for pollinator education, Community Science initiatives, and the Moondance Concert Series. These offerings work together to fulfill the organization's mission of promoting conservation of nature through education, stewardship, and community connections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cibolo Nature Center: 160+ acre nature preserve in Boerne, TX featuring five ecosystems, hiking trails, and visitor center
• Herff Farm
• Nest Nature School
• Moondance
• Cibolo Farmers Market at Herff Farm
• Upstream

Products and services

• Cibolo Nature Center A 160+ acre nature preserve featuring over six miles of trails through five distinct ecosystems including marshland, woodlands, Cibolo Creek, native prairie, and live oak savannah. Free and open to the public from dawn to dusk daily.
• Herff Farm

Quantifiable outcome

• 44,000+ annual visitors and 4,000+ education program participants demonstrate reach and engagement
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Texas Parks & Wildlife DepartmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023State agency partnership supporting conservation initiatives, Clean Water Act compliance, and recognition of conservation achievements. The Lone Star Land Steward Award (2023) was presented by this department.
• City of BoerneflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Municipal partnership for parks management, Clean Water Act Water Protection Plan implementation, and community recreation programs at the Nature Center and other properties.
• Texas Hill Country Beekeepers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Partnership supporting bee conservation program at Herff Farm with shared hives and beekeeping education initiatives.
• Hill Country Archeological AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Partnership providing field lab facilities at Sisterdale Sanctuary for archaeological research and education programs.
• Upper Cibolo Creek Watershed PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Watershed protection partnership supporting water quality monitoring and conservation of the Upper Cibolo Creek watershed.
• Trinity UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Academic research partnership supporting scientific studies, student involvement, and educational programs at conservation properties.
• University of the Incarnate WordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Academic research partnership providing research opportunities and educational collaboration for students and faculty.
• Texas Master NaturalistscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Partnership with certified volunteers providing nature education, trail maintenance, and conservation programming support.
• Boerne Animal ControlminorOthers · 1 April 2023Local government partnership for wildlife rescue and animal welfare coordination, particularly for injured wildlife found on conservation properties.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Austin-based native plant conservation and education center with public trails, research, and K-12 programming — closely comparable to Cibolo as a Texas-centered nature conservation/education nonprofit with visitor operations.
• Bamberger Ranch Preserve: Texas Hill Country conservation property in Johnson City focused on land stewardship, wildlife, and education — directly comparable regional conservation peer with similar mission, scale, and visitor model.
• Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary: Texas nonprofit operating 289 acres of wildlife sanctuary and nature education in McKinney — directly comparable combination of protected natural habitat, visitor center, education programs, and membership/donation revenue model.
• Hill Country Conservancy: Central Texas land trust focused on conservation easements, land protection, and trail networks — closely aligned with Cibolo's conservation-corridor mission and Texas Hill Country operating geography.
• Austin Nature & Science Center: City-operated nature education center in Austin offering trails, exhibits, and school programs — comparable educational programming and visitor model, though publicly operated rather than independent nonprofit.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Texas Chapter): Largest global conservation nonprofit with significant Texas operations including land protection and watershed work — overlapping mission at much larger scale; relevant as the dominant incumbent in the conservation nonprofit space.
• National Wildlife Federation: National conservation nonprofit with strong education programs (e.g., certified wildlife habitats) and certified-volunteer networks — comparable in mission but operates at national scale rather than local visitor-park model.
• San Antonio Zoo: Regional zoological institution near Cibolo's catchment offering family education, memberships, and conservation programs — comparable in family-education and conservation programming at a larger scale.

Regional players

• Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation: State-level foundation supporting Texas state parks and wildlife — directly comparable regional funder/peer ecosystem; awards the Lone Star Land Steward Award that Cibolo received and operates parks rather than independent visitor centers.

Others

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on protecting land for public access and parks — adjacent enabler rather than direct competitor; comparable land-conservation corridor and public-access mission, though typically working through partnerships rather than direct operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cibolonaturectr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Cibolo Center for Conservation