Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

What Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy does

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is a nonprofit land conservancy founded in 2000 and headquartered in Pasadena, California. The organization preserves and stewards open space, native habitats, and watersheds across Southern California, managing 19 properties totaling more than 92 acres through six named preserves. Its core activities include accepting land donations, holding conservation easements, conducting ecological restoration, running a conservation grazing program with the Coachella Valley Water District, and delivering environmental education and volunteer stewardship programming to schools and community members.

AFC operates programs across three primary verticals: land acquisition and permanent protection, habitat restoration and preserve management, and community education and engagement. The Field Trip Program is gifted to Title 1 schools and served approximately 2,500 students during the 2024-2025 school year. The Wildlands Restoration Program and Preserve Watch deploy volunteers for on-the-ground stewardship. AFC engages roughly 1,000 community members annually at Rosemont Preserve and partners with LA County Flood Control, Friends of the Rosemont Preserve, the California Conservation Ambassador Program, and the California Native Plant Society.

The organization's revenue model is typical of a community land trust: a mix of individual donations, grants, conservation grazing fees, and merchandise sales. Operating with a 1-10 person staff, AFC has earned a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and hosts two California Conservation Ambassador fellows annually. There is no indication of technology products, digital platforms, or proprietary tooling; operations are field-based and program-driven.

Name

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

Legal name

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

Website

https://arroyosfoothills.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is a Pasadena-based nonprofit land conservancy that protects and manages 19 properties spanning 92+ acres across six Southern California preserves. It serves students, volunteers, and community members through conservation easements, habitat restoration, and environmental education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Disaster Risk Reduction Services (Flood Mitigation, Erosion Control, Landslide Stabilization) (AFAMAMAJ), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB)

Keywords

• Land conservation
• Habitat restoration
• Environmental education
• Wildlife corridor connectivity
• Urban conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Primary revenue stream through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and gifts of securities. The organization accepts check donations, stock gifts, and offers corporate partnership opportunities.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, totes, and field journals with wildlife-themed designs. Prices range from $16.50 to $50.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is a nonprofit land conservancy that acquires, protects, and stewards natural open space across Southern California, currently owning 19 properties totaling over 92 acres and operating six preserves in Altadena, Pasadena, Glendale, and La Crescenta. The organization runs habitat restoration, urban wildlife research, environmental education, monarch recovery, backyard biodiversity, and strategic land acquisition programs, and offers free field trips to schools across Los Angeles County. Merchandise, donations, and corporate sponsorships support the mission.

Product overview

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC) offers a unified suite of urban conservation programs centered on habitat protection, restoration, and environmental education. The core offerings include six preserves across Southern California (Cottonwood Canyon, Millard Canyon, Rosemont, Rubio Canyon, Sunshine, and Sycamore Canyon) totaling 19 properties and over 92 acres, complemented by programs such as Habitat Restoration, Urban Wildlife Research, Conservation Through Education, Monarch Recovery Project, Backyard Biodiversity, and Land Acquisition. AFC also provides educational resources including Native Plant and Bird Guides, camera trapping tutorials, and hosts community programs like the Urban Conservation Awards and Nature Photography Contest. The organization operates volunteer-led restoration events, field trip docent training, and partners with California Climate Action Corps for fellowship programs. Infrastructure projects such as the Rosemont Preserve Entryway upgrade support public access while maintaining ecological integrity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AFC Preserves Network AFC's network of six named preserves (Cottonwood Canyon, Millard Canyon, Rosemont, Rubio Canyon, Sunshine, and Sycamore Canyon) and 13 additional conservation areas totaling 19 properties and over 92 acres, located in Altadena, Pasadena, Glendale, and La Crescenta. Preserves provide protected wildlife habitat and community green space access through scheduled events.
• Habitat Restoration Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 92 acres of land conserved across 19 properties in Southern California
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Crescenta Valley Water District (CVWD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Long-standing partnership for the Rosemont Preserve entryway project. CVWD owns the entryway, gate, and reservoir at Rosemont Preserve. CVWD is responsible for execution of the new entryway and gate project including project management, cost estimation, permitting, and construction. The partnership minimizes costs to CVWD rate payers through outside grants and community donations secured by AFC and FoRP.
• Los Angeles County Flood Control DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership for Rosemont Preserve property. LA County Flood Control District owns/operates the Goss Canyon debris basin accessed through the Rosemont entryway. AFC and CVWD engage LACO Flood Control District for permitting on the entryway project.
• Friends of Rosemont Preserve (FoRP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2012Volunteer organization that stewarded and provides access and programming at Rosemont Preserve since property acquisition in 2012. FoRP pursues funding for entryway project, reviews plans with LA County Fire officials, and hosts community members at the preserve for educational hikes and conservation workdays.
• California Climate Action Corps (CCAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide service program dedicated to addressing the climate crisis, part of AmeriCorps which is now funded by the State. AFC hosts two Urban Conservation CCAC fellows annually through an 11-month fellowship term. Fellows contribute to AFC's land management, wildfire resiliency, youth education, and community outreach initiatives.
• California Native Plant Society (CNPS) San Gabriel Mountains ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNPS San Gabriel Mountains Chapter President Roger Klemm serves as native plant expert leading educational walks at Sunshine Preserve, providing expertise on native plant ecosystems and summer dormancy.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority: A public joint-powers authority that owns and manages natural open space and parkland throughout the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. Highly comparable to AFC as a regional land steward providing public access, habitat protection, and outdoor education in the same LA geography.
• Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: California state conservancy that acquires and manages open space, parks, and wildlife corridors in and around the Santa Monica Mountains. Comparable to AFC in mission (urban-wildland habitat connectivity), regional scope (greater LA), and acquisition-driven conservation model.
• Catalina Island Conservancy: Private nonprofit land trust that owns and manages ~88% of Catalina Island for conservation, recreation, and education. Comparable to AFC in land-trust governance, education programs, donor-supported funding model, and stewardship of a defined California geography.
• Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains: Special district providing conservation education, restoration, and land management services across the Santa Monica Mountains region. Comparable to AFC in habitat restoration, native plant programs, and community-based environmental education delivery.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (California): Global land and water conservation organization with major California operations focused on habitat protection, connectivity, and stewardship. Comparable to AFC as a nonprofit conservation buyer/manager, but operates at vastly larger scale across broader geographies.

Emerging players

• LA Conservation Corps: LA-based nonprofit providing youth conservation workforce development, including habitat restoration and urban greening. Comparable to AFC in urban conservation focus and use of service corpsmembers, though with a youth-workforce mission rather than land ownership.
• TreePeople: LA-based nonprofit focused on urban forestry, native plantings, and climate resilience through community engagement. Comparable to AFC in urban habitat restoration, native plant advocacy, and education programs targeting LA County communities.
• Pasadena Audubon Society: Local Audubon chapter serving Pasadena and greater LA with birding, habitat, and education programs. Comparable to AFC in local-scale urban wildlife education, volunteer-driven field programs, and Pasadena/foothills geographic footprint.

Regional players

• San Gabriel Mountains Forever: Coalition advocating for permanent protection of the San Gabriel Mountains. Comparable to AFC because it shares the same regional conservation thesis (San Gabriels corridor connectivity) and works the same LA-area donor and policy ecosystem.

Others

• California Native Plant Society (CNPS): Statewide nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of California native plants and habitats. Comparable to AFC because CNPS expertise directly informs AFC's native plant, restoration, and education programs, and the two organizations partner on field programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@arroyosfoothillsconservancy
• Facebookfacebook.com/arroyosfoothills
• Instagraminstagram.com/arroyosfoothills
• Xx.com/arroyofoothills

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy