Stokes Nature Center

What Stokes Nature Center does

Stokes Nature Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID 31-1513495), founded in 1997 and headquartered in Logan, Utah, that provides nature education and outdoor exploration programming for people of all ages in Cache Valley. It operates as the official educational permittee of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Logan Canyon Children's Forest, granting programmatic access to a 1.6 million acre National Forest, and runs two physical sites: the Logan Canyon Nature Center at 2696 E. US Highway 89 and the 11-acre Nibley Outdoor Classroom and Nature Park. The organization delivers a structured portfolio of educational programs including Utah's first nature-based preschool (operating since 2013), curriculum-aligned K-12 school field trips and traveling programs, summer camps for PreK through 8th grade, seasonal homeschool naturalist series, guided snowshoe and cross-country ski excursions, and free Great Salt Lake curricula co-developed with the Great Salt Lake Collaborative and Utah Public Radio. The team comprises approximately 10-15 staff including an Executive Director, Nature Preschool Director, Director of Education, Facilities Director, Naturalist Educators, a Community Engagement Specialist, AmeriCorps interns, and preschool teachers. Revenue is generated across ten distinct streams: annual and sustaining memberships ($15-$250+/month), summer camp tuition ($125-$295), school program fees ($6-$12/student), nature preschool tuition, Canyon Jams concert series ticketing, facility and venue rentals ($60-$75/hour), the annual Light Up the Night Gala and ancillary fundraising events, homeschool series fees, guided outdoor experiences ($10-$20/person), and grants and donations. Significant non-dilutive capital has been secured, including a $1.9 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant in 2022 supporting the Nibley Outdoor Classroom development that broke ground in August 2024. The organization maintains formal partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, SnowSchool Network, Bio-West (ecological design), Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, TreeUtah, Utah Public Radio, and others.

Name

Stokes Nature Center

Legal name

Allen & Alice Stokes Nature Center

Website

https://logannature.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stokes Nature Center is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1997 that delivers nature education and outdoor exploration programming for all ages in Cache Valley, Utah, operating as the official U.S. Forest Service educational permittee for Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Logan Canyon Children's Forest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)

Keywords

• Nature education programs
• Outdoor recreation services
• Environmental education
• Nature-based preschool
• Community nature programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Logan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships at Individual ($35), Family ($60), Senior/Student ($15) levels, plus sustaining memberships at Temple Fork ($10-$99/month), Naomi Peak ($100-$249/month), and Logan Canyon ($250+/month) levels with progressive benefits
2. Summer Camps: Week-long summer camps for PreK through 8th grade, with pricing from $125 (2-day) to $295 (full week), plus Fly Fishing camp for 5th-8th grade
3. School Programs: School field trip programs at $6 per student ($9 with snowshoe rental), free for 4th grade classes, custom programs at $12 per student, traveling programs at $75 per class
4. Nature Preschool Tuition: Morning sessions (9am-12pm) and afternoon sessions (1-4pm) available 2-5 days per week with tuition varying by schedule
5. Canyon Jams Concert Series: Outdoor summer concert series with season passes ($130 adult, $80 child) and single concert tickets ($10-$25), plus food vendor partnerships
6. Facility and Venue Rentals: Birthday party packages ($200 non-member, $180 member), venue rentals ($60-75/hour member vs non-member), plus event sponsorship opportunities
7. Annual Gala and Events: Light Up the Night annual gala with individual and corporate sponsorships, silent auction, Nature Trivia Night, and Forest to Fork dinner events
8. Homeschool Programs: Seasonal homeschool naturalist programs at $36 for full series with sibling discounts available
9. Grants and Donations: 501c3 nonprofit funded through grants (EDA $1.9M for Nibley project), corporate sponsors, individual donors at various recognition levels, and memorial/honor gifts
10. Guided Experiences: Guided naturalist hikes ($10/person or $70 minimum), snowshoe trips ($20/person plus $10 rental), XC ski trips ($20/person), and equipment rentals

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Stokes Nature Center is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers place-based nature education and outdoor exploration programs for all ages in Cache Valley, Utah. Core offerings include K-12 school field-trip and traveling programs aligned with Utah SEEd standards, week-long summer camps for PreK-8th grade, Utah's first nature-based preschool, seasonal homeschool naturalist series, guided snowshoe, XC ski and naturalist hikes, equipment rentals, membership subscriptions, and venue and birthday-party rentals. Revenue is supplemented by community events such as Canyon Jams concert series, Light Up the Night Gala, Nature Trivia Night, Forest to Fork dinner, and the Wild Miles Challenge, plus grants and donations.

Product overview

Stokes Nature Center is a nonprofit nature education organization offering a diverse portfolio of interconnected programs and services focused on outdoor exploration and environmental education in Cache Valley, Utah. The core offering consists of structured educational programs including School Programs aligned with Utah SEEd standards, Summer Camps for grades PreK-8th, and a Nature Preschool (the valley's first nature-based preschool). Community engagement is facilitated through regular programming like Nature Tales storytime, Canyon Conversations speaker series, and seasonal events including Canyon Jams concert series, Nature Trivia Night, Forest to Fork dining events, and the Wild Miles Challenge. Outdoor recreation programs encompass guided hikes, snowshoe trips, XC ski excursions, and equipment rentals. The organization also operates the Nibley Outdoor Classroom & Nature Park (11-acre facility) and Jay's Well Park community garden, while facility rentals and birthday party packages enable private events. Memberships provide reciprocal access to 300+ nature centers nationwide. Supplementary offerings include the Great Salt Lake Curricula for classroom use and a merchandise shop. The center serves as official educational partner for Logan Canyon Children's Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Programs Outdoor nature education programs aligned with Utah SEEd standards for K-6th grade students, including field experiences, snowshoeing programs, and traveling naturalist programs delivered at schools within a 20-mile radius.
• Summer Camps Week-long outdoor summer day camps for children PreK through 8th grade, including specialized tracks such as fly fishing (5th-8th), art, mountain biking, rock climbing, and adventure activities in Cache National Forest.
• Nature Preschool The valley's first and only nature-based preschool integrating Montessori principles, offering morning (9am-12pm) and afternoon (1-4pm) sessions 2-5 days per week for children ages 3-5, operating September through May.
• Community Programs Year-round educational programs including Nature Tales storytime, Canyon Conversations speaker series, Firefly Tours, and workshops for families and individuals exploring the local ecosystem.
• Homeschool Programs Seasonal outdoor naturalist programs for homeschooled students aligned with Utah SEEd standards, held at the Nibley Outdoor Classroom, with full-series pricing at $36/student.
• Canyon Jams Concert Series Outdoor summer concert series featuring bluegrass and folk musicians at Von Baer Park, with adult season passes ($130), child season passes ($80), and individual concert tickets ($10-$25 general admission).
• Guided Snowshoe Trips Guided educational snowshoe excursions exploring Logan Canyon's winter landscape with watershed, alpine, and historical themed trips for groups of 6-20 participants at $20/person plus $10/pair rental.
• Guided XC Ski Trips Guided Nordic ski trips on classic nordic skis exploring Cache National Forest trails with naturalist educators for groups of 4-20 participants at $20/person.
• Snowshoe Rentals Day ($10/24 hours) and weekend ($25, Friday-Monday) snowshoe rentals in adult (21-22 inch) and kid (17-19 inch) sizes for independent outdoor exploration.
• Adventures with a Naturalist Guided group hikes led by naturalists ($10/person with $70 minimum), covering pollinator education, geology, alpine ecosystems, and custom adventure options for groups of 7-30 participants.
• Membership Program Annual memberships at Individual ($35), Family ($60), and Senior/Student ($15) levels, plus monthly sustaining memberships at Temple Fork ($10-$99), Naomi Peak ($100-$249), and Logan Canyon ($250+) tiers, providing priority registration, 20% program discounts, BirdCall newsletter, and reciprocal free admission to 300+ nature centers nationwide.
• Birthday Parties Nature-themed birthday party packages at the Nature Center including 2-hour facility rental, two nature activities for up to 20 children, and a swag bag, priced at $200 non-member / $180 member.
• Facility Rentals Event venue rental for corporate events, workshops, and celebrations at Stokes Nature Center with indoor (90 capacity) and outdoor (150 capacity) spaces at $60/hour for members or $75/hour for non-members.
• Nature Trivia Night Annual fundraising event featuring teams competing in nature-themed trivia at local restaurants, with sponsorship opportunities available for businesses.
• Concert in the Canyon Annual benefit concert featuring the Fry Street Quartet at Stokes Nature Center, including dinner and live music at $100 per ticket.
• Forest to Fork Community dining event featuring foraged foods from Cache Valley prepared by local chefs, with educational foraging opportunities.
• Wild Miles Challenge 39-day outdoor activity challenge running September through October, encouraging participants to explore nature and earn badges through various activities at $25 individual / $50 team entry.
• Light Up the Night Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring silent auction, live music, corporate and individual sponsorships supporting nature education programs at Stokes Nature Center.
• Nature Center Shop Online and onsite merchandise including SNC apparel, nature-themed books, field guides, plant presses, and Logan Canyon Children's Forest branded items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 participating nature centers in reciprocal membership program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Bio-WestmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2024Ecological design partner for Nibley Outdoor Classroom project providing comprehensive ecological design to enhance native flora and fauna
• TreeUtahminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Jay's Well Park transformation from 1-star rated park to pollinator garden and nature education space
• Providence CityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021City partnership for Jay's Well Park pollinator garden project in Providence, UT
• Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest / U.S. Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial educational permittee of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, providing unique access to 1.6 million acre National Forest for nature education programs and outdoor exploration
• Logan Canyon Children's ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial educational partner for Logan Canyon Children's Forest, part of growing network of federally designated National Forests with dedication to nature education
• Great Salt Lake CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create free curricula on Great Salt Lake for K-5th grade and high school students in alignment with Utah SEEd standards
• Utah Public Radio (UPR)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner for Great Salt Lake curricula and weekly Wild About Utah radio program contributions
• SnowSchool NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SnowSchool Network providing winter snowshoe education programs aligned with national snow education standards
• Mt. Naomi VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Forest to Fork community dinner event featuring foraged local cuisine
• Utah Division of Wildlife ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolder of wildlife conservation easement on Alice Denney's Nibley property ensuring long-term habitat protection

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Swaner Ecocenter: Swaner Preserve and Ecocenter is a Summit County, Utah nature center and land trust offering nature education, preschool, and guided experiences on a 1,200-acre preserve. Closest direct comparable to Stokes as a Utah-based nonprofit nature education center with preschool programs, school field trips, and USFS-adjacent programming.
• NatureBridge: NatureBridge is a national nonprofit delivering immersive outdoor science education at multiple national park sites, with residential programming, school partnerships, and curriculum-aligned experiences. Closest scale-up analog for Stokes' model of forest-based K-12 and youth programming.
• Yellowstone Forever: Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, running educational programs, field seminars, and youth camps analogous to Stokes' role as Logan Canyon Children's Forest partner. Comparable institutional model tying education to a designated public-land footprint.
• Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont: Tremont is a residential environmental education center inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park offering school field trips, summer camps, and teacher training. Closest model of a national-park-adjacent youth education nonprofit with similar program mix (school programs, camps, educator training).
• Bryce Canyon Natural History Association: Bryce Canyon Forever (formerly Bryce Canyon Natural History Association) is the official nonprofit partner of Bryce Canyon National Park, providing education programs, publications, and youth programming. Closest structural peer as a federally-adjacent nonprofit running educational programming on a national park footprint.

Regional players

• Red Butte Garden: Red Butte Garden is a University of Utah-affiliated botanical garden in Salt Lake City offering youth programs, camps, classes, and venue rentals. Regional Utah nature-based education competitor that overlaps with Stokes' school, camp, and event programming for a broader Wasatch Front audience.
• Utah's Hogle Zoo: Utah's Hogle Zoo runs zoo-based education programs, summer camps, and school field trips in Salt Lake City. Comparable as a Utah nonprofit providing curriculum-aligned nature education and youth programming, though anchored in animal exhibits rather than forest ecosystems.
• Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is a Utah-based nonprofit aquarium offering school programs, summer camps, and community education. Comparable mission area (nature education) in the same Utah market, competing for school and family audiences in the Wasatch Front.

Others

• Heifer International: International nonprofit focused on sustainable agriculture and community development. Relevant because Executive Director Kendra Penry previously worked there; useful as a comparable for nonprofit operating scale and partnership patterns, but not a direct competitor.
• TreeUtah: Utah nonprofit focused on tree planting, urban forestry, and conservation education around the Wasatch Front. Already a partner of Stokes on the Jay's Well Park pollinator garden; comparable as a Utah environmental education nonprofit with overlap in conservation programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@logannaturecenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/stokesnaturecenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/StokesNatureCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stokes-nature-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Stokes Nature Center