Archbold Biological Station
Archbold Biological Station is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ecological research, conservation, and education organization operating across nearly 20,000 acres in Florida, serving scientists, K-12 and university students, and the public via long-term monitoring programs and field-based learning.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1941
- HeadquartersVenus, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Archbold Biological Station does
Archbold Biological Station is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ecological research, conservation, and education organization founded in 1941 by explorer Richard Archbold and headquartered in Venus, Florida. Operating across nearly 20,000 acres of the Lake Wales Ridge and the Headwaters of the Everglades (including the 10,500-acre Buck Island Ranch acquired in 1988), it runs multi-decade scientific programs in Avian Ecology, Plant Ecology, Agroecology, Herpetology, Entomology, Limnology, Predator-Prey studies, and Conservation of Military Landscapes. Its core research infrastructure comprises continuous long-term monitoring systems — daily weather records spanning 89+ years, 57+ years of individually-tracked Florida Scrub-Jay data on 6,000+ birds, Lake Annie sensor buoys feeding the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network, eddy flux towers, and GIS-managed datasets backing 2,500+ publications.
The Station serves four primary user segments: K-12 students (free curriculum-aligned field trips for Florida public schools), higher education (visiting classes from UF, UCF, Cornell, Harvard, Yale, etc.), the general public (visits, summer camps, LEED-certified Learning Center), and the scientific research community (visiting scientists, post-baccalaureate internships with 600+ alumni). Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit funding model: federal and state research grants (NSF, USDA, FWC, USFWS, FDACS, South Florida Water Management District), foundation and corporate philanthropy (Costa Farms and multiple named foundations), individual donations including the Richard Archbold Founder's Circle, modest suggested visitor donations ($8/$5), internship stipends funded by partners, and facility rentals for mission-aligned groups.
Go-to-market is fundamentally relationship- and reputation-driven rather than commercial: scientific partnerships with elite universities and federal agencies, community-led internship pipelines, and event-driven engagement with schools and conservation organizations. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. John Fitzpatrick, with new executive leadership installed in 2025-2026 (Dr. Jennifer Owen as CEO, Dr. Betsey Boughton as Director of Science).
Archbold Biological Station firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Archbold Biological Station
- Legal name
- Archbold Biological Station
- Website
- https://archbold-station.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1941
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Archbold Biological Station is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ecological research, conservation, and education organization operating across nearly 20,000 acres in Florida, serving scientists, K-12 and university students, and the public via long-term monitoring programs and field-based learning.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Archbold Biological Station industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ecological Research and Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Forestry (800), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD), Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF)
Keywords
Where Archbold Biological Station is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Venus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Archbold Biological Station business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: Charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors including the Richard Archbold Founder's Circle annual giving program and legacy/planned gifts. Donors recognized in annual reports.
- Visitor Fees and Programs: Suggested donation of $8 for adults and $5 for children for visits. Facility rentals for mission-related groups including non-profits, government agencies, and science workshops.
- Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from federal and state agencies including National Science Foundation, USDA, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for research and conservation projects.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Support from corporations including Costa Farms and other business partners for programs, internships, and conservation initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Donation/ grant-funded | Per visit | Public Visitor Donation |
| Other | Others | K-12 Field Trip Programs |
| Other | Monthly | Research Internships |
| Other | Per event | Facility Rentals |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
Archbold Biological Station product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Archbold Biological Station is a nonprofit field research station that conducts long-term ecological research, conservation initiatives, and environmental education programs across nearly 20,000 acres in the Headwaters of the Everglades. It operates multiple science programs (Avian Ecology, Plant Ecology, Agroecology, Herpetology, Entomology, Limnology, Predator-Prey) supported by research infrastructure including Lake Annie sensor buoys and the Buck Island Ranch cattle operation, and delivers K-12 field trips, summer camps, university visits, and internships to train the next generation of scientists.
Product overview
Archbold Biological Station operates as a unified platform combining three interconnected pillars: scientific research, conservation action, and environmental education. The Station offers science programs (Agroecology, Plant Ecology, Avian Ecology, Entomology, Herpetology, Limnology, Conservation of Military Landscapes) as its core research infrastructure, supported by facilities including the LEED-certified Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center and Buck Island Ranch research ranch. Educational offerings include K-12 field trips, Ecology Summer Camp, University Visits, and the Post-Baccalaureate Internship Program. Supporting resources include GIS and Data Management services, Lake Annie monitoring buoys, Science in the Scrub curriculum, My Florida Explorer virtual tour, and the Florida Scrub Coloring Book. These components work together to fulfill the Station's mission of building and sharing scientific knowledge to protect Florida's ecosystems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center: LEED-certified green visitor center offering scheduled events, tours, and exhibits for individuals and groups
- Buck Island Ranch
Products and services
- Science Programs Multi-disciplinary ecological research programs including Agroecology, Plant Ecology, Avian Ecology, Entomology, Herpetology, Limnology, Conservation of Military Landscapes, and Predator-Prey studies conducting long-term ecological monitoring and scientific exploration for visiting scientists and research collaborators.
- Education Programs Place-based science education serving K-12 students, college classes, summer camps, and lifelong learners through guided activities, field trips, curricula, and mentoring grounded in decades of ecological research.
- Conservation Initiatives
Quantifiable outcome
- 57 years of continuous Florida Scrub-Jay population data tracking over 6,000 individual birds
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Archbold Biological Station
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Archbold Biological Station technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Archbold Biological Station partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and supporting.
- Cornell Lab of OrnithologycoreCollaborative research on avian ecology, particularly Florida Scrub-Jay studies. Cornell is a key collaborator on the Long-term Florida Scrub-Jay Project alongside other universities and agencies.
- University of FloridacoreLong-standing relationship with environmental science programs. Collaborative research including Climate Change on the Ranch project with co-PI Jiangxiao Qiu. Part of LTAR network alongside UF Range Cattle Research Center.
- University of Central FloridacoreRegular hosting of graduate classes and collaborative research. Partners on Conservation of Military Landscapes program with faculty including Joshua King and David Breininger.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreFunder and collaborator on Florida Scrub-Jay research and other endangered species conservation projects. Provides federal support for research on federally threatened species.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissioncoreKey funder and collaborator on conservation research including Florida Scrub-Jay Project, Florida Grasshopper Sparrow recovery, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker conservation.
- USDA Long-term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) NetworkcoreBuck Island Ranch is one of 18 sites in the LTAR network, a nationwide collaboration designed to assess strategies for sustainable intensification of agriculture.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreConservation partner working on landscape-scale conservation initiatives including Florida Wildlife Corridor and land protection efforts.
- Audubon FloridacoreConservation partner collaborating on grassland and bird habitat conservation in Central Florida.
- Florida Wildlife Corridor FoundationcoreKey partner in Florida Wildlife Corridor campaign to understand ecological and human benefits of connected large landscapes and secure new protected lands.
- Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON)coreInternational network to which Lake Annie buoy data contributes for understanding, predicting, and communicating the role and response of lakes in a changing global environment.
- Florida International UniversitycoreCollaborator on Lake Annie buoy research and lake science with researchers including Dr. Evelyn Gaiser. Partnership on limnology research.
- Nutrient Network (NutNet)coreGlobal research cooperative with 130+ grassland sites worldwide investigating the role of grazers or fertilization in controlling plant biomass, diversity, and composition.
- Avon Park Air Force RangecoreConservation of Military Landscapes program focuses on threatened, endangered, and at-risk species on military landscapes, working within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape.
- Conservation FloridaimportantState-focused conservation organization partnering on land protection and conservation easements in Florida.
- Bok Tower GardensimportantLocal conservation partner in Central Florida working on native plant conservation and environmental education.
- Center for Plant ConservationimportantNational organization focused on plant conservation; Archbold works on rare plant preservation including species like Dicerandra christmanii.
- Texas A&M UniversityimportantCollaborator on agroecology research including projects with Nuria Gomez-Casanovas, Ph.D. on grassland and agricultural ecosystem science.
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignimportantResearch collaborator on agroecology including work with Dr. Evan DeLucia and Dr. Elena Blanc Bates on sustainable agriculture and ecosystem research.
- Costa FarmssupportingCorporate sponsor supporting Archbold's programs and conservation work. Recognized in annual reports and philanthropy sections.
- LEEF (Leadership in Environmental Education Florida)supportingStatewide environmental education network partner supporting K-12 programming and education initiatives.
- OBFS (Organization of Biological Field Stations)supportingNational organization of biological field stations; Archbold participates in network of field stations for research and education.
- University of RochestersupportingCollaborator on Florida Scrub-Jay research alongside Cornell and other institutions.
- Eastern Michigan UniversitysupportingAcademic collaborator on Florida Scrub-Jay conservation research.
- Michigan State UniversitysupportingResearch collaborator on avian ecology and Florida Scrub-Jay studies.
- Florida Gulf Coast UniversitysupportingAcademic partner in Florida Scrub-Jay research network.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Archbold Biological Station competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mohonk Preserve: Nonprofit nature preserve combining long-term ecological research, conservation, and education programs on thousands of acres — comparable integrated research/education/land model.
- Archbold is itself an OBFS member, but comparable peer stations include Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Independent ecological research institute with long-term monitoring datasets, graduate training, and applied conservation science — directly comparable mission and operating model.
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): Long-running ecological research station operating long-term monitoring programs and graduate education; closest structural analog to Archbold as a permanently sited, multi-decade field research institution.
- MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center (Archbold's sister operation at Buck Island Ranch): Although Buck Island Ranch is part of Archbold, comparable entities include other large-scale agroecology research ranches combining cattle operations with long-term ecological monitoring (e.g., the Jornada Basin LTER).
- Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: Long-term ecological research site focused on forest and watershed monitoring with continuous datasets dating back decades; comparable in mission and longitudinal research approach.
- Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) member institutions: Network of U.S. biological field stations with missions comparable to Archbold: long-term research, education, and conservation on dedicated natural areas.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy (Florida Chapter): Large-scale conservation nonprofit that partners with Archbold on the Florida Wildlife Corridor and land protection; broader portfolio but overlapping mission in biodiversity conservation.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): State-level government agency that both funds and collaborates with Archbold on endangered species work; broader regulatory and land-management mandate but overlapping conservation mission.
- Audubon Florida: Major conservation organization partnering with Archbold on bird habitat and grassland conservation; broader regional scope and advocacy role than Archbold's research focus.
Regional players
- Bok Tower Gardens: Central Florida conservation and education organization partnering with Archbold on native plant conservation; similar visitor-center-and-education model in the same region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Archbold Biological Station social profiles
Digital presenceArchbold Biological Station compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Archbold Biological Station financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Archbold Biological Station leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Archbold Biological Station funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Archbold Biological Station M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Archbold Biological Station
What does Archbold Biological Station do?
Archbold Biological Station is a nonprofit field research station that conducts long-term ecological research, conservation initiatives, and environmental education programs across nearly 20,000 acres in the Headwaters of the Everglades. It operates multiple science programs (Avian Ecology, Plant Ecology, Agroecology, Herpetology, Entomology, Limnology, Predator-Prey) supported by research infrastructure including Lake Annie sensor buoys and the Buck Island Ranch cattle operation, and delivers K-12 field trips, summer camps, university visits, and internships to train the next generation of scientists.
Is Archbold Biological Station a public or private company?
Archbold Biological Station is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Archbold Biological Station founded?
Archbold Biological Station was founded in 1941. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Archbold Biological Station based?
Archbold Biological Station is headquartered in Venus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Archbold Biological Station make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are visitor Fees and Programs, government Grants and Contracts and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Archbold Biological Station's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mohonk Preserve, Archbold is itself an OBFS member, but comparable peer stations include Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center (Archbold's sister operation at Buck Island Ranch), Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) member institutions. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy (Florida Chapter), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Audubon Florida. Bok Tower Gardens is listed as a regional player.
Does Archbold Biological Station have an API?
No public API is recorded for Archbold Biological Station.
What industry is Archbold Biological Station in?
Archbold Biological Station's product category is Ecological Research and Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of EUAHAHAE, Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs. Its NAICS code is 71219 and its SIC code is 8731.