Corvallis Environmental Center

What Corvallis Environmental Center does

Corvallis Environmental Center (CEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 in Corvallis, Oregon, delivering nature-based and food-system education across Benton and Linn Counties. Its operating programs span three business lines: early childhood education (NaturePlay Preschool and the bilingual Exploradores de la Naturaleza preschool at Avery House Nature Center), K-5 enrichment (summer camps, School's Out Adventures, SAGE Field Trips), and community food/agriculture programming (Farm to School in partnership with Corvallis School District 509j, the 1-acre SAGE production garden that donates 5,000+ lbs of produce annually, the 2-acre Dunawi Creek Community Gardens with ~100 plots, and the Corvallis Carbon Offset Fund). The organization also operates ancillary programming including the SAGE Summer Concert Series, Earth Day Celebrations, and the City Nature Challenge citizen science event, and is a co-located partner in The Confluence sustainable building. Reported reach is 15,000+ people annually in Benton County, supported by 800-1,000+ annual SAGE volunteers.

Program architecture is non-technical and built around physical facilities (Avery House Nature Center, SAGE Garden, Dunawi Creek Community Gardens, The Confluence) rather than a software platform. The technology footprint consists of standard nonprofit SaaS - Wix for web, Ultracamp for registration, BetterWorld/PayPal/Venmo for donations, VerticalResponse for email, and iNaturalist for citizen science data collection - with no proprietary systems, no API surface, and no application product. Curriculum and program design (e.g., replicable Farm to School and NaturePlay models) function as the organization's primary content asset.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations (Toyota of Corvallis, Valley Insurance cited as event sponsors), and foundations via multiple channels; program fees priced in tiers (summer camps $264-$375/week, preschool $283.50-$1,000/month, field trips $100-$290, garden plots $50-$110/year); event revenue from ticketed concerts and Earth Ball; and carbon offset donations at $65 per tonne of CO2 routed through CCOF. Scholarships and financial assistance are offered across fee-based programs, and the organization runs a 30th Anniversary scholarship campaign targeting $30,000. Distribution relies on direct program delivery, school-district contracts, and partnership channels with OSU, Linn-Benton Community College, Corvallis Parks and Recreation, and a coalition of food banks and conservation NGOs.

Name

Corvallis Environmental Center

Legal name

Corvallis Environmental Center

Website

https://corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Corvallis Environmental Center is a Corvallis, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that delivers nature-based preschool, K-5 summer and afterschool programs, farm-to-school education, a 1-acre production garden, and community garden plots, serving 15,000+ Benton County residents annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental & Food Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Support Activities for Crop Production (1151)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor / Nature-Based Childcare Centers (EDACAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor/Nature/Forest Preschools (EDACABAJ), Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Nature-based preschool
• Farm to school
• Community food security
• Sustainable agriculture training

Headquarters

HQ city

Corvallis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Multiple giving options including online donations, Venmo, PayPal, check, and Amazon Wishlist. 30th Anniversary fundraising campaign targeting $30,000 for scholarships.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for summer camps ($264-$375/week), preschool programs ($283.50-$1000/month), field trips ($100-$290), and community garden plots ($50-$110/year). Scholarship assistance available.
3. Event Revenue: Ticket sales for SAGE Summer Concert Series and Earth Ball events. Sponsorship revenue from corporate sponsors including Toyota of Corvallis, Valley Insurance, and others.
4. Corvallis Carbon Offset Fund: Carbon offset donations at $65 per tonne of CO2, distributed to local beneficiary organizations including weatherization, watershed restoration, and solar programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Corvallis Environmental Center delivers nature-based and food-system educational programming for children, families, and schools in Benton and Linn Counties. Core offerings include the NaturePlay Preschool and bilingual Exploradores preschool, K-5th grade summer camps and School's Out Adventures, the Farm to School program with classroom food adventures and field trips, and SAGE (Starker Arts Garden for Education), a 1-acre production garden whose harvest is donated through the Food for Families program to local food banks and soup kitchens.

Product overview

The Corvallis Environmental Center (CEC) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a diverse portfolio of environmental education and food security programs. The organization functions as a unified program platform rather than a modular product architecture, with core offerings including: NaturePlay Preschool and Exploradores de la Naturaleza bilingual preschool at Avery House Nature Center; K-5th grade summer camps (bike, nature, SAGE garden, art, and adventure camps); School's Out Adventures day camps during school breaks; Farm to School programming with Classroom Food Adventures; SAGE (Starker Arts Garden for Education) 1-acre production garden with Food for Families produce donation program; SAGE Field Trips; SAGE Summer Concert Series; Dunawi Creek Community Gardens; Earth Day Celebrations; City Nature Challenge citizen science events; The Confluence sustainable building; and Corvallis Carbon Offset Fund. CEC reaches over 15,000 people annually in Benton County through these integrated programs, combining nature-based education, local food systems, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAGE (Starker Arts Garden for Education) A 1-acre production garden that donates fresh organic produce to local food banks and soup kitchens, providing over 5,000 lbs of food annually to families in need, with over 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables grown.
• NaturePlay Preschool A nature-based preschool program at Avery House Nature Center offering flexible full-day and part-day childcare for children ages 3-5, focused on outdoor exploration and play-based learning. Tuition ranges from $357-$1000/month, with ERDC subsidies accepted.
• Exploradores de la Naturaleza Preschool A bilingual Spanish/English preschool program for children ages 3-5 that combines outdoor nature exploration with language learning, offered as an afternoon program at $283.50/month.
• Summer Programs (Camps) Seasonal day camps for youth ages 5-13 including nature camps, bike camps, SAGE garden camps, animal camps, art camps, and adventure camps running June through August, priced $264-$375 per week with aftercare available.
• Caterpillar Camp Preschool summer camp for children ages 3-5 featuring outdoor nature exploration, art activities, and weekly themed adventures.
• School's Out Adventures (SOA) Day camps for kids ages 5-11 during school breaks featuring nature exploration and outdoor activities at various local parks and natural areas.
• Farm to School Program Educational program connecting food systems with school systems in Benton and Linn Counties, increasing local food use in schools and teaching children about healthy eating through Classroom Food Adventures, tasting tables, and hands-on cooking lessons.
• SAGE Field Trips Educational field trips to SAGE garden for K-4 students covering topics including Insects in the Garden, From Seed to Plant, and Food Webs and Ecosystems, priced $100-$290 per session based on duration.
• SAGE Summer Concert Series Outdoor summer concert series at SAGE featuring live music on Thursday evenings, with volunteer opportunities and low-waste event practices; ticket proceeds support food production and youth nature programs.
• Dunawi Creek Community Gardens A 2-acre community garden with nearly 100 rental plots (100-400 sq ft), native plant garden, and shared small-fruit area at Bruce Starker Arts Park, managed in partnership with Corvallis Parks and Recreation, priced $50-$110/year plus community service hours.
• Earth Day Celebrations Annual Earth Day event featuring multiple activities including Earth Ball dance party, City Nature Challenge, community work parties, eco art shows, and Planet Palooza family festival.
• City Nature Challenge International citizen science event where Corvallis joins cities worldwide to document local biodiversity using the iNaturalist platform during a 4-day bioblitz, in partnership with Chintimini Wildlife Center, Greenbelt Land Trust, Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• The Confluence Building A sustainable shared-space building in downtown Corvallis on the 400 block of SW 2nd Street co-locating environmental organizations, built with 75% local materials and 80% local labor commuting by bicycle.
• Corvallis Carbon Offset Fund (CCOF) Carbon offset program distributing donations to local beneficiary organizations for weatherization, watershed restoration, and solar projects, with offsets at $65 per tonne of CO2.
• Food for Families Program Program that donates SAGE garden produce to local food banks and soup kitchens including Community Outreach Inc., OSU Emergency Food Pantry, Stone Soup Kitchen, South Corvallis Food Bank, Old Mill Center, Corvallis Community Center, and Garfield Food Pantry, providing over 5,000 lbs and 50+ varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables annually.
• University Internships College-age summer internship program offering credit toward degrees in Outreach and Events, Education, and Sustainable Agriculture areas, following OSU academic calendar.
• Summer Program Scholarships Scholarship program covering 100% of one week of camp for low- and median-income families in Benton County, awarded on a first-come basis during the March 5-31 application window.
• Avery House Nature Center Nature center facility in Avery Park at 1200 SW Avery Park Drive, Corvallis, OR 97333, serving as base for preschool programs, summer camps, and nature-based educational programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Donates over 5000 lbs of fresh produce annually to local food banks and soup kitchens
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oregon State University (OSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships including OSU Emergency Food Pantry produce donations, OSU student internships, OSU Dining Services sustainability initiatives, and Beyond Earth Day Community Fair collaboration.
• Corvallis School District (509j)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Farm to School program, Classroom Food Adventures, tasting tables, and PAGES afterschool enrichment program in district schools.
• Linn-Benton Farm to School HUBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEC Community Food Systems Manager serves as Linn-Benton Farm to School HUB Lead, coordinating regional farm to school efforts.
• Corvallis Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to manage Dunawi Creek Community Gardens at Bruce Starker Arts Park. Co-hosts Planet Palooza Earth Day event.
• Community Services ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeatherization Assistance Program receives CCOF funds to increase energy efficiency in low-income homes in Corvallis area.
• Marys River Watershed CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCOF beneficiary for habitat restoration, tree planting, erosion reduction, and water quality improvement in Marys River and tributaries.
• Seeds for the SolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCOF beneficiary for photovoltaic and heat pump water heater installations for low-to-moderate income residences.
• Solarize Corvallis (Corvallis Sustainability Coalition)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCOF beneficiary for financing community photovoltaic projects at publicly-owned facilities with emergency power capabilities.
• The Confluence Building PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-location of multiple environmental nonprofits at The Confluence building (400 block of SW 2nd St) with shared resources and collaborative programming.
• Basic Needs Center at OSUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduce donation recipient for food-insecure OSU students.
• Stone Soup KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduce donation recipient from SAGE Food for Families program.
• South Corvallis Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduce donation recipient from SAGE Food for Families program.
• Old Mill CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduce donation recipient from SAGE Food for Families program.
• Corvallis Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduce donation recipient from SAGE Food for Families program.
• Garfield Food PantryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduce donation recipient from SAGE Food for Families program.
• Chintimini Wildlife CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in City Nature Challenge and Earth Day events; hosts wildlife education activities.
• Greenbelt Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for City Nature Challenge bioblitz events at Bald Hill Farm.
• Mid-Willamette Bird AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for City Nature Challenge bird-focused bioblitz at Hesthaven Nature Center.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for City Nature Challenge at Finley National Wildlife Refuge.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NatureBridge: National environmental education nonprofit delivering outdoor, science-based learning to youth; comparable in nature-literacy mission, though field-residential versus CEC's day-program model.
• Tinkergarten: National leader in nature-based early childhood programs for ages 0-8; directly comparable to CEC's NaturePlay Preschool and Exploradores curricula in target audience and outdoor-play pedagogy.
• Grow Portland: Portland-based nonprofit operating school gardens and food access programs; directly comparable community-based food/education mission in the same Oregon market.
• FoodCorps: National nonprofit placing food educators in schools to teach kids about healthy eating; highly comparable to CEC's Farm to School and Classroom Food Adventures programming.
• Real School Gardens: National nonprofit building hands-on learning gardens in underserved schools; mirrors CEC's Farm to School and SAGE Field Trips combination of outdoor education + food system awareness.
• Zenger Farm: Portland-based urban nonprofit farm combining hands-on environmental education with food donation to local food banks – structurally the closest analog to CEC's SAGE/Food for Families model in Oregon.

Broad incumbents

• Edible Schoolyard Project: National organization advancing edible education in schools; a higher-profile reference model for the school garden and food education category where CEC's Farm to School sits.
• National Farm to School Network: Information and advocacy network behind the Farm to School movement; parent coordination body to which CEC's Linn-Benton Hub leadership is structurally tied.

Others

• Slow Food USA: National nonprofit promoting good, clean, and fair food through education and community programming; thematically aligned with CEC's farm-to-school and food donation mission.
• Captain Planet Foundation: National foundation funding hands-on environmental learning for youth; adjacent funder/ecosystem participant rather than direct operator, but mission-adjacent to CEC's K-5 programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcDdE-axkahWFtv9s6Bqm9A
• Facebookfacebook.com/corvallisenvironmentalcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/corvallisenvironmentalcenter
• Xx.com/corvenvironment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/corvallis-environmental-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 Corvallis Environmental Center