Center For Creative Land Recycling

What Center For Creative Land Recycling does

Center For Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Berkeley, California. It is the nation's leading nonprofit dedicated to brownfield redevelopment and land reuse, serving state and local governments, tribal governments, nonprofits, housing authorities, and development agencies across EPA Regions 9 and 10 (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Island territories). CCLR's primary offering is free Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA, supplemented by fee-for-service consulting, event sponsorships (including the California Land Recycling Conference), and individual/corporate donations.

CCLR's core capabilities are advisory rather than technological: environmental site assessment navigation, EPA and state grant application support (Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, Cleanup, Multipurpose, and Job Training grants), grant management and federal procurement compliance, community engagement through its proprietary Vision to Action (V2A) process, disaster-recovery planning, and nature-based remediation. It does not sell a software product, expose APIs, or maintain proprietary technology platforms. Its differentiators are 25+ years of institutional knowledge, an exclusive EPA cooperative agreement for its service geography, and an extensive case-study portfolio spanning urban railyards, rural sawmills, abandoned mines, former gas stations, and contaminated orchards. Notable outcomes include securing $30.9M in EPA brownfield funding for clients in Regions 9 and 10 and supporting the Symphony Park redevelopment that unlocked $750M+ in public/private investment from a $90K state brownfield investment. Leadership includes Executive Director Jean Hamerman, Program Director Claire Weston, and a board-governed nonprofit structure with no parent company or equity backing.

Name

Center For Creative Land Recycling

Legal name

Center for Creative Land Recycling

Website

https://cclr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CCLR is a Berkeley-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free EPA-funded technical assistance, consulting, and grant support for brownfield redevelopment to governments, tribes, and nonprofits across EPA Regions 9 and 10.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting and Brownfield Redevelopment Services

NAICS

Waste Management and Remediation Services (562)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Brownfield Site Assessment & Remediation (BPALAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brownfield Redevelopment Support (Site Characterization & Reuse Planning) (EUAHAFAJ), Brownfield Redevelopment Due Diligence & Grant Support (EUAHAEAD)

Keywords

• Brownfield redevelopment
• Land recycling consulting
• Environmental site assessment
• Community revitalization planning
• EPA grant technical assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. EPA-Funded Technical Assistance: Free technical assistance to state and local governments, tribes, non-profits, housing authorities, development agencies, and other public entities through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA. Services include training, grant application support, planning, and community engagement. This is the primary service model and is provided at no cost to eligible entities in EPA Regions 9 and 10.
2. Consulting Services: CCLR works as a prime and subcontractor on publicly and privately funded land revitalization contracts, providing fee-for-service consulting. These engagements are quote-based and not publicly priced.
3. Event Sponsorship and Conference Revenue: CCLR organizes and hosts the California Land Recycling Conference (CALRC), regional brownfields workshops, and mobile tours. Revenue is generated through event sponsorship fees (sponsorship menu available on website) and potentially conference registration fees.
4. Membership and Donations: CCLR accepts company memberships and individual donations through its Support Us page. Membership provides ongoing engagement and association with the organization's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CCLR provides free technical assistance and consulting services for brownfield redevelopment, including environmental site assessment, cleanup planning, grant application and management, community engagement, and redevelopment visioning. Funded primarily through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA, the organization serves EPA Regions 9 and 10 (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Island territories), helping governments, tribes, and nonprofits transform contaminated or underutilized properties into parks, housing, commercial space, and community facilities.

Product overview

CCLR is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of technical assistance services for brownfield redevelopment. The core offering is the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program, supported by specialized grant programs including EPA Brownfields Grants & Targeted Assessments, EPA Brownfields Job Training Grants, DTSC Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, and California DTSC Technical Assistance Grant. These programs work together to provide communities with free technical assistance for environmental site assessment, cleanup planning, funding identification, grant management, and community engagement. CCLR serves EPA Regions 9 and 10 (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Island territories). Additional services include Nature Based Solutions, Consulting Services, and Grant Review Services. The organization also hosts the annual California Land Recycling Conference (CALRC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Free technical assistance program providing training, support, and guidance to help communities start or restart brownfield programs, develop end-use visioning, and navigate the redevelopment process. Serves state and local governments, tribes, non-profits, housing authorities, and development agencies in EPA Regions 9 and 10.
• EPA Brownfields Grants and Targeted Assessments Assistance with U.S. EPA Brownfields grants including Assessment, Multipurpose, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) grants, plus Targeted Brownfield Assessments for communities. Helps eligible entities identify, apply for, and manage EPA brownfield grant funding.
• Consulting Services CCLR works as a prime and subcontractor on many public and private funded land revitalization contracts, providing fee-for-service consulting on environmental site assessment, cleanup planning, redevelopment strategy, and project management.
• EPA Brownfields Job Training Grants Program Program helping eligible organizations develop training programs that equip unemployed and underemployed residents with skills for careers in environmental cleanup, hazardous waste management, and sustainable land reuse.
• California Land Recycling Conference (CALRC) Annual statewide conference for land reuse practitioners in California, co-hosted with EPA Region 9 and DTSC's Office of Brownfields. Features workshops, mobile tours, and networking for brownfield professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Assisted 91% of EPA Brownfields Grant selectees in Regions 9 and 10, securing $30.9 million in funding
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• GroundWork Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026GroundWork Rhode Island participated as a featured speaker organization in CCLR's national TAB webinar on Brownfields Job Training Grant applications. Executive Director Amelia Rose shared how GroundWork built effective job training programs, secured community partnerships, and placed graduates in full-time sustainable jobs.
• KSU TAB Program and KSU Center for Hazardous Substance ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Kansas State University TAB Program participated as a featured speaker organization in CCLR's national TAB webinar on Brownfields Job Training Grant applications. Executive Director Blase Leven shared expertise on developing competitive grant applications and curriculum tailored to brownfields redevelopment.
• RMI Brightfields AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2025CCLR's Technical Assistance to Brownfields team is co-organizing a two-part workshop series with RMI's Brightfields Accelerator on 'Brownfields Reuse Planning for an Affordable Energy Future.' The series introduces communities to renewable energy as an option for brownfield reuse.
• The Just One ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025The Just One Project operates the Dolores Huerta Resource Center in North Las Vegas, Nevada's first community hub of its kind. Funded by $1.6 million in federal Community Project Funding, the center provides free services in arts, education, health, legal, workforce, and technology to 2,000+ residents annually.
• Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025RTC of Southern Nevada is a coalition partner in Clark County's EPA brownfields program. As part of the Nevada Brownfields Mobile Tour, RTC identifies transit-corridor sites ripe for environmental assessment and redevelopment, connecting cleanup work to transit-oriented development opportunities across the region.
• Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) Brownfields ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025NDEP Brownfields Program hosted the Nevada Brownfields Conference and Mobile Tour in collaboration with CCLR. The program invested $90,362 to support Phase I environmental site assessments at Symphony Park, helping unlock over $750 million in combined public and private development.
• Agora Realty and ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Agora Realty and Management is leading the 'One Civic Center' redevelopment of the 19-acre former North Las Vegas City Hall site. The project will include a new civic building, up to 300 residential units, commercial space, and public green areas.
• EPA Regions 9 and 10 (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Islands)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCLR provides free technical assistance to state and local governments, tribes, non-profits, housing authorities, and development agencies across all of EPA Regions 9 and 10 through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA under the Brownfield and Land Revitalization Program.
• Reno Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025RSIC reclaimed former tribal land contaminated by auto repair, print shops, and sheet metal fabrication uses to develop the Three Nations Walmart Plaza. Revenues from the Walmart directly support the Hungry Valley Reservation and tribal services, demonstrating how urban reuse can support rural tribal communities.
• Lincoln County, NevadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Lincoln County partnered with CCLR for redevelopment planning of the Caselton Mill abandoned mine/mill site in Pioche, Nevada. CCLR organized two Vision to Action workshops and developed an actionable redevelopment plan including community-scale solar (2-10 MW), historic preservation, tourism, and recreation. Lincoln County also received EPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment support at the site.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Primary funding and co-development partner through multiple cooperative agreements. EPA funds CCLR's Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program for Regions 9 and 10, Brownfields Job Training Grants, and other brownfield programs. EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management also co-develops conferences (CALRC) and recognition programs with CCLR. In 2024-2025, EPA awarded CCLR and partners the National Notable Achievement Award for the Caselton Mill Vision to Action plan.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024TNC collaborated with CCLR on the Caselton Mill Vision to Action plan in Lincoln County, Nevada. TNC contributed to the community visioning process for the abandoned mine/mill site, helping identify reuse potential including solar energy, historic preservation, tourism, and recreation.
• ICFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024ICF served as a key technical partner on the Caselton Mill Vision to Action plan, providing site assessment, design recommendations, and engineering expertise. ICF recommended solar array placement on the southwestern edge of the site to protect resident viewsheds and designed pedestrian paths, bike trails, and parking areas.
• Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NDEP partnered with CCLR on the Caselton Mill redevelopment planning and serves as the state environmental agency for Nevada brownfields. NDEP co-hosted the Nevada Brownfields Conference and Mobile Tour with CCLR and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) Brownfields Program.
• EKI Environment and WaterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021CCLR partner EKI Environment and Water oversaw site cleanup at the South Bayfront Bridge eastern landing in Emeryville, CA. EKI's environmental engineering and consulting work enabled completion of the $22M pedestrian/bike bridge project.
• Sierra Institute for Community and the EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018CCLR supported the Sierra Institute in redeveloping a 28-acre abandoned Louisiana Pacific sawmill in Crescent Mills, CA. CCLR reviewed and advised on an original $600,000 EPA MARC grant and subsequently assisted with four MARC cleanup grant applications totaling $2.1 million. The site was transformed into the Indian Valley Wood Utilization Campus, producing lumber for post-Dixie Fire rebuilding.
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018DTSC provided technical assistance on site assessments and investigation for the Crescent Mills sawmill redevelopment. DTSC also offers the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) and Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) programs that CCLR promotes and supports clients with.
• Trust for Public Land (TPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018TPL was the lead organization on the Cherryhill Park project in East Wenatchee, WA. CCLR assisted TPL in preparing a $500,000 EPA cleanup grant (awarded June 2019) to remediate a former cherry orchard contaminated with arsenic and pesticides. TPL transferred the completed park to the Eastmont Metropolitan Park District in March 2022.
• Maul Foster & AlongiminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018TPL's environmental consultant on the Cherryhill Park project. Maul Foster & Alongi conducted environmental site assessments, identified contamination (arsenic, other chemicals from pesticide use), and recommended CCLR for technical assistance in pursuing EPA brownfield funding.
• City of Troutdale, OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006The City of Troutdale initiated the assessment and cleanup process for the Troutdale Riverfront Renewal Site (The Confluence at Troutdale) in 2006. CCLR provided EPA grant review and advised on grant implementation throughout the 15+ year process. The 19.57-acre site cleanup was completed in July 2021.
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Oregon DEQ assisted with environmental investigation of the Troutdale Riverfront site and signed a Prospective Purchaser Agreement with the City of Troutdale to facilitate remediation. DEQ managed and assessed environmental concerns at the site over an 11-year period.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kansas State University TAB Program (KSU Center for Hazardous Substance Research): Another EPA-funded Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) provider serving a different EPA region. It is the most direct peer because it runs the same federal cooperative-agreement program as CCLR and was even a featured speaker in CCLR's national TAB webinar on Brownfields Job Training grants.
• Center for Community Progress: National nonprofit focused on vacancy, abandonment, and land reuse — including brownfields. Directly comparable in mission (community revitalization through land recycling) and customer base (municipalities, nonprofits, and tribal clients), and the most natural national peer nonprofit to CCLR.

Broad incumbents

• ICF International: Global consulting firm with a substantial environmental and brownfields practice. ICF served as a key technical partner on CCLR's Caselton Mill Vision to Action plan and competes with CCLR for the same fee-for-service brownfield consulting work at a much larger scale.
• Tetra Tech: Large environmental and engineering consulting firm that provides site assessment, cleanup, and brownfield redevelopment services nationwide. A broad incumbent that competes for the same fee-based brownfield contracts CCLR pursues as prime or subcontractor.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with a major environmental services practice covering site assessment, remediation, and redevelopment. A broad incumbent in the brownfield space that absorbs large municipal and federal contracts CCLR is too small to lead.

Regional players

• EKI Environment and Water: California-based environmental engineering and consulting firm that partnered with CCLR on the South Bayfront Bridge cleanup in Emeryville. Directly comparable as a regional environmental consultant serving Bay Area and California brownfield markets.
• Maul Foster & Alongi: Pacific Northwest environmental engineering and consulting firm that served as Trust for Public Land's environmental consultant on the Cherryhill Park project that CCLR supported. Comparable as a regional brownfield site assessment and cleanup provider.

Emerging players

• GroundWork Rhode Island: Nonprofit focused on brownfields and environmental justice, particularly through Brownfields Job Training programs. Featured speaker in CCLR's national TAB webinar and a peer in the emerging nonprofit brownfield ecosystem.
• RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) — Brightfields Accelerator: Energy-focused nonprofit that partnered with CCLR on the 'Brownfields Reuse Planning for an Affordable Energy Future' workshop series. Comparable as an emerging partner in the brownfield/renewable energy crossover niche.

Others

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and park creation, including brownfield-to-park conversions. An adjacent, thematically related peer that often serves as a project sponsor or partner (e.g., Cherryhill Park in East Wenatchee) rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-creative-land-recycling
• Xx.com/LandRecycling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Center For Creative Land Recycling