Sonoma Ecology Center

What Sonoma Ecology Center does

Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 in Sonoma Valley, California, dedicated to improving and sustaining the ecological health of the region through education, restoration, preservation, and research programs. It serves Sonoma Valley community residents, K-12 students and families, government agencies (City of Sonoma, California State Parks, Sonoma County, Ag+Open Space), private landowners, and adult learners. The organization's core offerings span a K-6 Watershed Education Program reaching 1,300+ students annually at no cost to schools, summer science camps at $400 per session, a UC-accredited California Naturalist Program at $500, paid EnviroLeaders internships for teens, a native plant nursery offering 80+ species, habitat restoration services, prescribed fire management, biochar programs, and GIS data and mapping services.

SEC operates as the contracted manager of multiple parks and preserves totaling 4,000+ acres of public and private land, including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (4,000 acres, led by SEC through Team Sugarloaf since 2012), Sonoma Garden Park (6.1 acres), Montini Open Space Preserve (98 acres), Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve (163 acres), Nathanson Creek Preserve, and Sonoma Overlook Trail, and stewards the 5,000+ acre Sonoma Valley Wildlife Corridor. Revenue derives from a mix of individual donations, government grants (e.g., Sonoma County Vegetation Management Grant, California Wildlife Conservation Board, Ag+Open Space), program and event fees, and contracted land management services with public agencies. Notable technical capabilities include BMP-certified native plant propagation with Phytophthora testing, multi-agency prescribed burn coordination with CAL FIRE and Fire Forward, watershed monitoring, and longitudinal GIS-based environmental data.

The organization is led by Executive Director Richard Dale (co-founder, in role since 1992) with a 45+ person staff, and operates community-led go-to-market through educational partnerships, donor relationships, and government contracting rather than commercial sales. SEC leads the Sonoma Valley Collaborative, a 30+ member coalition influencing local policy, and has secured recognition including a 2016 Obama Administration acknowledgment for the North Bay Climate Adaptation Initiative.

Name

Sonoma Ecology Center

Legal name

Sonoma Ecology Center

Website

https://sonomaecologycenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sonoma Ecology Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that delivers K-6 watershed education, native plant restoration, prescribed fire management, and park operations across 4,000+ acres in Sonoma Valley, serving local residents, students, and government agencies through grants, donations, and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Monitoring, Survival Surveys & Carbon/MRV Services (Remote Sensing, Field Audits) (AFAMACAO)

Keywords

• Ecological restoration services
• Environmental education programs
• Watershed conservation services
• Native plant nursery
• Land preservation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Eldridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations from community members supporting ecological health mission. The organization operates a donation page and various giving programs including stock donations, legacy giving, and business partnerships.
2. Government Grants: Major funding from government sources including Sonoma County Vegetation Management Grant Program ($200,000 awarded January 2026), and grants from Ag + Open Space, California Wildlife Conservation Board, and other public agencies for conservation and restoration work.
3. Program Fees: Fees from summer science camps ($400 per session), California Naturalist Program ($500 registration), community garden plot rentals ($1.33 per square foot annually), and event/ facility rentals at Sonoma Garden Park.
4. Contracted Land Management Services: Contracts with government agencies including City of Sonoma for park management (Sonoma Garden Park, Montini Open Space Preserve), Nathanson Creek Preserve management, and restoration services for various public and private landowners.
5. Volunteer Programs: Volunteer labor contributing to operations across all preserves and programs. Includes corporate volunteering partnerships with businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Sonoma Ecology Center is a nonprofit environmental organization that delivers ecological restoration, environmental education, land preservation, and conservation research services across Sonoma Valley. It manages multiple parks and preserves (including 4,000-acre Sugarloaf Ridge State Park), operates an in-house native plant nursery, runs prescribed fire and habitat restoration programs, and delivers K-6 watershed education to local schools. Revenue is generated through donations, government grants, contracted land management with public agencies, and program fees for camps and certifications.

Product overview

Sonoma Ecology Center is a nonprofit environmental organization that offers a diverse portfolio of conservation, education, and restoration programs rather than a single unified product. The organization operates across five core program areas: Education (K-6 Watershed Education, Summer Science Camps, EnviroLeaders, California Naturalist Program, Senderos Naturales, Earthlings, Community Science Classes), Restoration (habitat restoration services, native plant nursery, prescribed burns, biochar program, climate resilience initiatives), Preservation (managing multiple preserves including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sonoma Garden Park, Montini Open Space Preserve, Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve, Nathanson Creek Preserve, and Sonoma Overlook Trail), Research (streamflow stewardship and environmental monitoring), and Data & Mapping services. The organization also protects over 5,000 acres of land through the Sonoma Valley Wildlife Corridor. All programs work together to achieve the mission of sustaining ecological health in Sonoma Valley through collaborative community stewardship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-6 Watershed Education Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 acres of land protected in Sonoma Valley
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pepperwood PreservecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026SEC partners with Pepperwood Preserve, a 3,200-acre ecological research institute, to translate scientific findings into practical fire management resources for landowners and agencies across Sonoma County. Collaboration on wildfire ecology and prescribed burning research.
• Sonoma Valley Fire DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025Coalition partner for prescribed burns at Montini Open Space Preserve. Led June 2025 prescribed burn on 20 acres with support from SEC. Long-standing collaboration on fire resiliency.
• CAL FIREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025Partner agency in prescribed burn operations at Montini Open Space Preserve. Provides technical expertise and support for fire management.
• La Luz CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with La Luz Center for Climate Resilient Neighborhoods program providing free landscaping services to households in The Springs area, with focus on defensible space and climate resiliency.
• Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag+Open Space)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for land preservation and conservation easements. Funded Montini Open Space Preserve acquisition, Sonoma Garden Park conservation easement, Nathanson Creek restoration ($2 million), and various capital improvements. Long-standing relationship for protecting Sonoma Valley lands.
• City of SonomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted partner for managing Sonoma Garden Park, Montini Open Space Preserve, and Nathanson Creek Preserve. SEC has partnered with City since 1993 for park operations. City owns land, SEC manages.
• California State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEC leads Team Sugarloaf partnership that reopened Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in 2012 after state budget closure. SEC assumed day-to-day responsibility for this 4,000-acre landmark park.
• Sonoma WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Sonoma Creek stewardship, stream restoration, water quality monitoring, and watershed management. Partner in Nathanson Creek restoration project.
• Audubon Canyon Ranch Fire ForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACR's Fire Forward team provides support for prescribed burn planning and execution at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve. Collaboration on reintroducing fire as land management tool.
• Good Fire AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer community organization that conducts prescribed burns with SEC at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve. Partnership for beneficial fire practices.
• Sonoma Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing conservation partner for land preservation, wildlife corridor establishment, and SDC campus vision planning. Collaboration on Sonoma Valley land protection.
• UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for Water-wise Demonstration garden at Sonoma Garden Park. UC Master Gardeners developed and maintain LID features. Joint programming for children's garden.
• Sonoma Valley CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEC led formation of coalition of 30+ community leaders across business, environment, social justice, nonprofits, and government. Addresses housing affordability, emergency response, and community challenges. SEC leads with partner organizations.
• Sonoma Overlook Trail StewardscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll-volunteer nonprofit that manages Sonoma Overlook Trail. SEC is fiscal sponsor. Trail owned by City of Sonoma, managed by Stewards.
• Occidental Arts and Ecology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner collaborating on fire management resources and translating scientific findings into practical tools for landowners.
• Environmental Science AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical consulting partner for Sonoma Creek stewardship projects.
• University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer UC-accredited California Naturalist Program at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Eight-week course results in real college credits.
• Sonoma Valley Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK-6 Watershed Education Program delivered directly in district classrooms. Field trips to SEC sites. Main educational partnership reaching 1,300+ students annually.
• LandpathscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional land conservation partner for open space preservation and public access.
• Sonoma County Trails CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for trail development and maintenance across preserves.
• Valley of the Moon Natural History AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting natural history education and park programs.
• United Camps, Conferences & RetreatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for camps and retreat programming at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
• Sonoma Mountain PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in protecting Sonoma Mountain lands and wildlife corridor.
• Jack London Park PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SDC campus vision planning and surrounding land stewardship.
• Transition Sonoma ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEC fiscally sponsors Transition Sonoma Valley, part of Transition Movement building resilient, self-reliant community.
• Sonoma Biochar InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEC official program promoting ethical and sustainable production and use of biochar. Initiative founded by SEC members Ray Gallian, David Morell, Raymond Baltar, and Richard Dale.
• Prometheus Fire ConsultingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPhil Dye of Prometheus Fire Consulting provides leadership for prescribed burns at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Sacramento Valley Conservancy: Northern California land trust operating in the Sacramento region with similar conservation easement, restoration, and education programs. Comparable in organizational model but serves a different Northern California geography with distinct climate and political context.
• Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County: Special district delivering restoration, watershed stewardship, fire resilience, and conservation education in Santa Cruz County. Closely comparable in service mix (prescribed fire, native plant, watershed work) and public-sector contracting model, but in an adjacent coastal region.

Direct peers

• Occidental Arts and Ecology Center: West Sonoma County nonprofit focused on ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, and environmental education; existing SEC partner. Direct peer in mission, programs (restoration, education, native plant work), and regional North Bay footprint.
• Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT): Marin County-based agricultural land trust that combines conservation easements, stewardship, and education in the North Bay. Closely comparable in organizational model, donor-supported revenue, and working-land focus; SEC and MALT serve adjacent regional markets with overlapping funder pools.
• Land Trust of Napa County: Adjacent-county land trust with a similar model of conservation easements, preserve management, restoration, and education programming in the North Bay wine country region. Comparable in scale, funding mix (government grants, donations, fees), and reliance on local government partnerships.
• Sonoma Land Trust: Long-standing Sonoma County land conservation peer and SEC partner, focused on preserving open space, wildlife habitat, and working lands in the same Sonoma Valley region. Directly comparable in mission, geographic footprint, and reliance on Ag+Open Space and state conservation board funding.
• Pepperwood Preserve: 3,200-acre ecological research institute in Santa Rosa; current SEC partner on fire ecology and prescribed burn research. Direct peer in combining research, land management, and education; comparable in scale and Sonoma County geographic overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for public use, including significant California activity. Overlaps with SEC on land acquisition, conservation easements, and park creation but is much larger and project-based rather than community-based.
• The Nature Conservancy (California): National/global conservation nonprofit with major California operations in land protection, fire resilience, and watershed work. Competes for the same state and federal grants (Wildlife Conservation Board, Coastal Conservancy) but operates at vastly greater scale and with broader geographic scope.
• National Audubon Society (Audubon Canyon Ranch): Audubon Canyon Ranch, the local operating arm, is an active SEC partner on prescribed fire (Fire Forward program). Broader Audubon organization overlaps on bird/biodiversity conservation and fire-forward land management but at much greater national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEkOvn6EUtg1tsRA4zbQyHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SonomaEcologyCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/sonomaecologycenter
• Xx.com/sonomaecology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Sonoma Ecology Center