Nature's Educators

What Nature's Educators does

Nature's Educators is a 501c3 non-profit wildlife education organization founded in 2008 by Devin Jaffe in Cañon City, Colorado, and currently headquartered in Florence, CO. It operates wildlife outreach programs using a team of 50+ non-releasable animal ambassadors spanning raptors, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates, holding continual licenses with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA, and state wildlife agencies in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The organization delivers seven core in-person programs (Talon Talk, Bird Shows, Interactive Booth Set Up, Habitats and Adaptations, Nature After Dark, Radical Reptiles, Rocky Mountain Wildlife) plus virtual programming, daily Royal Gorge Bridge & Park flight shows from Memorial Day through October, an Adopt-an-Ambassador subscription program, internships, and merchandise sales.

The business model mixes fee-for-service educational outreach (custom pricing tied to distance, duration, and ambassador selection; virtual at $50/hour), recurring donations via the Adopt-an-Ambassador program ($20–$50/month per animal), tax-deductible donations (PayPal, Venmo, Colorado Gives Day matching), and merchandise (Etsy NaturesUnderdogs shop, Printful-based Mews Merch). Go-to-market is event-driven: direct bookings through the website request form, venue partnerships (Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Wild Birds Unlimited retail locations, Garden of the Gods), festival/event appearances (Renaissance fairs, resorts, theme parks), and word-of-mouth. Customer segments span K–12 schools and libraries (NGSS-aligned), events and festivals, businesses and organizations, and private groups (home school, scouts, families) across Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

In 2020, Nature's Educators merged with Raptor Conservation Alliance (formerly Raptor Recovery Nebraska), consolidating educational ambassadors under a single multi-state permit and extending programming into Nebraska. The organization rebranded in January 2026 with a new logo reflecting its Royal Gorge region identity and Southern Colorado positioning. Key risks include dependence on a 6-month peak season, reliance on donations and grants, and the operational complexity of caring for a large and diverse ambassador animal team across multiple regulatory jurisdictions.

Name

Nature's Educators

Legal name

Nature's Educators

Website

https://natureseducators.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nature's Educators is a 501c3 non-profit wildlife education organization based in Florence, Colorado, that delivers in-person and virtual outreach programs using 50+ live animal ambassadors to schools, libraries, festivals, and venues across seven U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Education Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ), Conservation, Research & Volunteer Experiences (THAJAIAJ)

Keywords

• Wildlife education programs
• Raptor outreach services
• Live animal ambassadors
• Environmental education programs
• Reptile education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Florence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Program Fees: Fees charged for educational outreach programs based on venue distance, program duration, format, requested ambassadors, and operational factors. Discounts available for non-profits.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations through PayPal supporting animal care and organizational mission. 100% of donations go directly to animal care and mission support.
3. Ambassador Adoption: Symbolic adoption program where supporters pay to 'adopt' an animal ambassador and receive a certificate with photo and story. Monthly commitment options available.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sales through Etsy shop (NaturesUnderdogs) and internal merch store (Mews Merch).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nature's Educators is a 501c3 non-profit wildlife outreach organization that delivers in-person and virtual educational programs featuring more than 50 non-releasable live animal ambassadors (birds of prey, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates). Programs are offered to schools, libraries, festivals, businesses, parks, resorts, and private groups across Colorado and surrounding states, with fees based on distance, duration, format, and ambassadors requested. Supplementary offerings include a symbolic Adopt an Ambassador donation program, merchandise sales, and unpaid internships.

Product overview

Nature's Educators is a 501c3 non-profit wildlife education organization offering in-person and virtual educational programs featuring live animal ambassadors. The core offerings include seven distinct outreach programs (Talon Talk, Bird Shows, Interactive Booth Set Up, Habitats and Adaptations, Nature After Dark, Radical Reptiles, Rocky Mountain Wildlife), virtual programming, and live flight shows at Royal Gorge Bridge. Supplementary offerings include Adopt an Ambassador symbolic adoption and internship programs. Programs serve schools, libraries, festivals, businesses, and events across Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Talon Talk
• Bird Shows (Stage Shows)
• Interactive Booth Set Up
• Habitats and Adaptations
• Nature After Dark
• Radical Reptiles
• Rocky Mountain Wildlife
• Virtual Programs
• Royal Gorge Bridge Flight Shows
• Adopt an Ambassador
• Internship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 2024 CAEE Innovative Environmental Education Award for partnership programs with USP Florence
• +1 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

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Royal Gorge Bridge & ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for flight show programming at the Plaza Theatre. Shows run daily from Memorial Day through October included with park admission. This is a flagship partnership providing regular public programming venue.
• Raptor Conservation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged with Raptor Conservation Alliance (formerly Raptor Recovery Nebraska) in 2020. Educational ambassadors are under one permit allowing programming with a variety of ambassadors in both Colorado and Nebraska.
• Royal Gorge RIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional outreach initiative partnership supporting wildlife education in the Royal Gorge region.
• Black Hills EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsorship/partnership for community engagement and programming support in Colorado.
• Wings Over ColoradominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaptor education partnership with Colorado-based raptor organization.
• Rocky Mountain Raptor ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaptor rehabilitation and education partnership with Fort Collins-based organization. Sky Quackenbush interned with both organizations.
• Pacific Northwest FalconsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-regional falcon education and expertise sharing partnership spanning Oregon and Washington.
• Fremont County Tourism CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership promoting wildlife education experiences in Fremont County and Royal Gorge region.
• Nature & Wildlife Discovery CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPueblo-based nature education partnership for wildlife and conservation programming.
• Colorado Parks & WildlifecoreOthersState agency licensing partner providing regulatory oversight and collaborative wildlife education programming.
• US Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreOthersFederal agency providing wildlife education licensing for raptor and wildlife ambassador programs.
• Wild Birds Unlimited ColoradominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partnership for bird education events and programs at multiple Colorado locations including Denver, Arvada, Highlands Ranch, Aurora, and Colorado Springs.
• Garden of the GodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Colorado Springs park for wildlife education programming and community outreach.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Denver Zoo: Major Colorado zoological institution with extensive wildlife education programming, school outreach, and conservation messaging. Broad incumbent that competes indirectly for wildlife education market share and donor support across Colorado.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Major Colorado Springs zoological institution offering wildlife encounters, education programs, and school visits. Broader incumbent that competes for school and family wildlife education spending in the same Colorado market but is not a direct mobile-outreach competitor.

Direct peers

• HawkQuest: Colorado-based wildlife education nonprofit offering raptor outreach programs to schools, libraries, and events. Closest direct competitor given shared Colorado geography, raptor focus, K-12 audience, and live-animal ambassador model.
• The Raptor Trust: New Jersey-based raptor rehabilitation and education center offering public programs and outreach. Comparable as a nonprofit wildlife education organization with live raptor ambassadors and school/event programming.
• Liberty Wildlife: Arizona-based wildlife education and rehabilitation nonprofit offering raptor and native wildlife outreach programs. Directly comparable nonprofit model with live animal ambassadors, K-12 programming, and multi-permit regulatory structure.
• World Bird Sanctuary: Missouri-based wildlife sanctuary and education center featuring raptors and other native species. Comparable as a traveling wildlife education provider serving schools, festivals, and events across multiple states with live animal ambassadors.
• Carolina Raptor Center: North Carolina-based raptor education and rehabilitation center offering outreach programs to schools and the public. Comparable as a non-profit raptor education organization with live-flight demonstrations, school programming, and adoption/sponsorship models.
• Center for Wildlife: Maine-based wildlife education and rehabilitation nonprofit offering live animal outreach programs to schools, libraries, and community events. Directly comparable mission, operating model, and target audience mix.

Emerging players

• Rocky Mountain Raptor Program: Fort Collins-based raptor rehabilitation and education organization; listed as a partner of Nature's Educators. Comparable mission in raptor rehabilitation and education, with overlapping staff pipeline (Sky Quackenbush interned at both organizations).

Regional players

• Pueblo Zoo: Southern Colorado zoological institution offering wildlife education, school programs, and public encounters. Operates in the same Colorado southern region as Nature's Educators' Florence facility, competing for regional wildlife education and tourism dollars.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NaturesEducators
• Instagraminstagram.com/naturesed/?hl=en

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Nature's Educators