What Explore Ecology does

Explore Ecology is a 501(c)(3) environmental education nonprofit founded in 1992 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, that delivers hands-on nature-based learning to children and community members across Santa Barbara County. Its core products cluster around four program lines: the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store and the adjacent EE Makerspace, which divert donated materials from landfill and monetize them through low-cost retail sales and paid workshops; the Environmental Education program and the Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Burro Beach, which deliver field trips, in-class lessons, and community-facing watershed education; the School Gardens program, which operates 30 gardens at TK-8 sites throughout the county; and the newer Garden Explorers Early Childhood Education program, built in partnership with The Audacious Foundation. The organization reports educating 30,000-38,000 children annually, and additional sub-products include the annual Coastal Cleanup Day (county coordinator for the Ocean Conservancy initiative), the Environmental Stewardship Awards, and the Sustainable Table farm-to-table fundraiser.

The underlying technology is operational rather than software-native: physical retail, workshop facilities, school-garden infrastructure, and an interactive AR Sandbox at the Watershed Resource Center. The digital stack is conventional nonprofit SaaS — NeonCRM for event registration, donations, and membership; Stripe and PayPal for payments; DocuSign for waivers; Eventbrite for ticketing; and Clean Swell for litter data capture during Coastal Cleanup Day. The website and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok) serve as program-information and donor-acquisition surfaces rather than product platforms.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue engine. Charitable contributions (donations, grants, planned giving, stock donations, and the 1% For the Planet relationship) are the primary funding source, supplemented by earned revenue from store sales, workshop fees ($8-$60 per seat), the annual $200 Sustainable Table fundraiser, the School Materials Program subscription ($1/student, $100-$500 annually), and corporate team-building engagements. Customer segments are split across K-12 schools, early childhood education centers, corporate groups, and individual community members, with relationships concentrated in Santa Barbara County. There is no parent company, no equity funding, and no M&A activity; the organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Lindsay Johnson.

Name

Explore Ecology

Legal name

Explore Ecology

Website

https://exploreecology.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Explore Ecology is a Santa Barbara-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers environmental education, creative reuse, and garden-based learning to roughly 30,000 children annually across Santa Barbara County through school programs, retail, workshops, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural & Environmental Education Expeditions (Citizen Science, Conservation Volunteering) (THAAAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Citizen Science & Conservation Volunteer Tourism Programs (On-Site) (THAAAFAH), Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD)

Keywords

• Environmental education services
• Creative reuse programs
• Garden-based learning
• Watershed education
• Community conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Explore Ecology relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. The organization is a partner of 1% For the Planet.
2. Creative Reuse Store Sales: Revenue from the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store selling donated creative materials at low cost to the community.
3. Workshop and Program Fees: Fees charged for workshops (Crafternoons $8, Tote Bags $45, Sewing and Mending $15), vermicomposting workshops ($25/person), and Summer STEAM programs.
4. School Materials Program: Annual membership program for schools at $1.00 per student ($100-$500 range) providing bulk materials and 50% discounts for teachers.
5. Corporate and Group Activities: Team building and community engagement programs for corporations including beach cleanups, vermicomposting workshops, art workshops, and Garden Guardians volunteer days.
6. Sustainable Table Fundraiser: Annual fundraising event with $200 general admission tickets, live auctions, and sponsorship opportunities.
7. Planned Giving and Stock Donations: Accepts planned gifts, IRA transfers, and publicly traded securities as additional donation mechanisms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Explore Ecology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers environmental education and creative reuse programming through the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store, EE Makerspace workshops, school field trips, the Watershed Resource Center, and 30 school garden sites across Santa Barbara County. The organization also runs the Garden Explorers Early Childhood Education program, corporate team-building activities, and the annual Coastal Cleanup Day, supported by donations, grants, workshop fees, and store sales.

Product overview

Explore Ecology is an environmental education nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around environmental stewardship and nature-based learning. The core offerings include the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store and EE Makerspace for creative reuse and artmaking; Environmental Education and Watershed Resource Center for hands-on field trips and watershed learning; School Gardens and the Garden Explorers Early Childhood Education Program for garden-based education across age groups. These are supported by volunteer programs, corporate team-building activities, and annual events including Coastal Cleanup Day, Environmental Stewardship Awards, and the Sustainable Table Fundraiser. The organization serves over 30,000 children annually across Santa Barbara County through these integrated programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Art From Scrap: Creative Reuse Store and Gallery that keeps thousands of pounds of materials from ending up in the Santa Barbara County landfill each year.
• EE Makerspace
• Watershed Resource Center
• School Gardens
• Garden Explorers

Products and services

• Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store A creative reuse retail store that keeps thousands of pounds of materials from ending up in the Santa Barbara County landfill, providing low-cost supplies for art, theatre, costumes, and other creative projects. Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday 10am-5pm.
• EE Makerspace A makerspace located above Art From Scrap offering STEAM-themed workshops, Crafternoons for kids, and adult art workshops including natural dyeing, collage, sewing, and mosaic art. Open to community members of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Environmental Education Field Trips and In-Class Lessons Field trips and in-class lessons focusing on water quality and waste reduction, educating and inspiring elementary-aged students to become environmental stewards throughout Santa Barbara County.
• Watershed Resource Center A community education center at Arroyo Burro Beach where visitors learn about watershed ecology and the importance of protecting watersheds, creeks, and the ocean, featuring an AR Sandbox and interactive displays. Open to the public on the 2nd Sunday of each month, 10am-12pm.
• School Gardens Program Garden education program working with thousands of students annually to deliver hands-on garden education in elementary and junior high schools throughout Santa Barbara County, operating at 30 school garden sites for TK-8th grade students.
• Garden Explorers Early Childhood Education Program A program in partnership with The Audacious Foundation providing infrastructure updates, professional development, and curriculum and garden materials to Early Childhood Education programs throughout Santa Barbara County, including seasonal station kits.
• Corporate and Group Activities Team building and community engagement opportunities for corporate groups including beach cleanups, vermicomposting workshops, art workshops, Garden Guardians volunteer days, and speaker presentations. Vermicomposting workshops priced at $25/person with minimum 10 people.
• School Materials Program Annual membership program for schools at $1.00 per student ($100-$500 range) providing free bulk materials and 50% discount on items at the Art From Scrap store. Minimum $100 for schools under 100 students, maximum $500 for schools over 500 students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Educates 30,000-38,000 children annually in environmental stewardship
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Audacious FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Major funder and strategic partner for the Garden Explorers Early Childhood Education Program. This partnership increases garden-based education in Early Childhood Education programs throughout Santa Barbara County, including infrastructure updates, professional development, and curriculum materials.
• Ocean ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization that organizes the worldwide Coastal Cleanup Day event. Explore Ecology coordinates Santa Barbara County efforts as part of this global initiative.
• California Coastal CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that organizes Coastal Cleanup Day throughout California. Supports Explore Ecology's coordination of Santa Barbara County cleanup efforts.
• County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery and Waste Management DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary local partner for Coastal Cleanup Day coordination in Santa Barbara County. Co-brings the annual event with Explore Ecology.
• City of Santa BarbaraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the cities supporting Coastal Cleanup Day efforts in Santa Barbara County.
• City of GoletaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the cities supporting Coastal Cleanup Day efforts in Santa Barbara County.
• City of SolvangminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the cities supporting Coastal Cleanup Day efforts in Santa Barbara County.
• 1% For the PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExplore Ecology is a nonprofit partner of this global movement connecting businesses and individuals to environmental nonprofits. Members give at least 1% of annual sales or salary to approved environmental organizations.
• Ramsey CronkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm supporting the Garden Explorers program through site design and consultation.
• Santa Barbara County Project Clean WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports Coastal Cleanup Day efforts and provides reusable cleanup supplies for the event.
• PatagoniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Repair It and It's Yours events teaching repair skills and providing gently used Patagonia items for repair demonstrations.
• Channel Islands National Marine SanctuaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNOAA affiliate organizing the Santa Cruz Island cleanup site for Coastal Cleanup Day.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• 1% for the Planet: Global network connecting businesses and individuals to environmental nonprofits, of which Explore Ecology is an approved partner. Functions as a funding and brand-amplification ecosystem rather than a direct service competitor.
• Patagonia (environmental grants program): Brand partner supporting Repair It events with Explore Ecology and funding environmental grassroots organizations; an adjacent enabling partner in the environmental nonprofit ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Peers

• Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary: NOAA-affiliated site that partners with Explore Ecology on Coastal Cleanup Day cleanup sites and conducts marine and watershed education in the same Santa Barbara Channel region.

Direct peers

• Surfrider Foundation: National nonprofit running beach cleanups, water quality programs, and coastal education — a direct analog to Explore Ecology's Coastal Cleanup Day coordination and watershed stewardship work.
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: Regional environmental and nature education institution also based in Santa Barbara, offering school programs, exhibits, and nature-based learning experiences to a similar audience of families, schools, and community members.
• The Ecology Center: Environmental education and creative reuse nonprofit operating programs, workshops, and community engagement initiatives that closely parallel Explore Ecology's Art From Scrap store and Makerspace model.
• Heal the Bay: California-based nonprofit focused on coastal environmental education, beach cleanups, and watershed protection — closely overlapping Explore Ecology's Watershed Resource Center and Coastal Cleanup Day programming.
• Big Sur Land Trust: California nonprofit combining land conservation with environmental education programming for schools and community members, paralleling Explore Ecology's school garden and stewardship work.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: International nonprofit that organizes the worldwide Coastal Cleanup Day and partners with Explore Ecology for Santa Barbara County coordination; operates at materially larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• California State Parks Foundation: Statewide nonprofit supporting environmental education and stewardship at California parks; shares the public-facing nature education and volunteer mobilization mission at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ExploreEcology
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ExploreEcology
• Facebookfacebook.com/ExploreEcologySB
• Instagraminstagram.com/exploreecology/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@exploreecologysb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explore-ecology

Compliance1 record

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 Explore Ecology