Earth Discovery Institute

What Earth Discovery Institute does

Earth Discovery Institute (EDI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in El Cajon, California, that delivers environmental education and conservation programming focused on San Diego County's status as a continental U.S. biodiversity hotspot. The organization operates a portfolio of integrated conservation programs (Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens, Milkweed Farm, Bat Conservation, Habitat Restoration, Community Science) and education/outreach programs (Field Trips, Family Days, Nature Discovery Camp, School-Based Lessons, EDI Scholarship, Storybook Hike, and digital Education Resources), all aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and delivered primarily on partner agency-owned conserved lands including Crestridge Ecological Reserve and the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

The organization's underlying technology is light: a Wix-hosted public website, third-party citizen-science platforms (iNaturalist, SEEK, Nature's Notebook) for ecological data collection, and an e-commerce merchandise storefront operated through Bonfire. No proprietary software, APIs, or AI/ML systems are documented. Differentiated value derives from on-the-ground physical assets—a narrow-leaved milkweed seed farm at Lakeside Downs, habitat gardens, and Storywalk installations—and from deep institutional partnerships with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Diego Pollinator Alliance, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego Natural History Museum, Monarch Joint Venture, and Conservation Biology Institute.

EDI's business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations and corporate giving, an annual membership program with tiered benefits, fee-based summer day camps and special events, grant applications (minimum $15,000 per grant), corporate retreat bookings, and merchandise sales. The 2020 Strategic Plan sets a stated goal of growing the annual budget to $500,000 within three years. Primary participants are 4th and 5th grade students from under-resourced communities in Southeast San Diego County, families, and community volunteers; secondary customers include corporate groups seeking team-building experiences. Sarah Maisonneuve serves as Executive Director, and the organization reports 1–10 employees with cumulative impact metrics of 40,000+ children educated, 20,000+ native plants installed, and 15,000+ volunteer hours contributed.

Name

Earth Discovery Institute

Legal name

Earth Discovery Institute

Website

https://earthdiscovery.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Earth Discovery Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers NGSS-aligned environmental education and habitat restoration programming to children, families, and volunteers in San Diego County, operating on partner agency conserved lands and funded by donations, grants, memberships, and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education & Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Biodiversity conservation services
• Habitat restoration programs
• Citizen science initiatives
• Community conservation stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations from supporters, corporate giving programs, matching donations, and estate planning contributions
2. Membership Program: Annual membership with different sponsorship levels and associated benefits including merchandise, private guided hikes, and special events
3. Fee-based Programs: Summer day camp programs, special membership award events including hikes on partner agency lands, and nature programs
4. Grant Funding: Applications to government agencies and private foundations with minimum funding amount of $15,000 targeted
5. Merchandise Sales: Online store through Bonfire for branded merchandise and apparel

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Earth Discovery Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers hands-on environmental education and conservation programs in San Diego County, including school field trips aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, summer nature camps, family education events, habitat restoration projects, monarch butterfly conservation, bat conservation, and citizen science initiatives. Programs are conducted primarily on partner agency-owned conserved lands and serve children, families, and community volunteers in East and Southeast San Diego County.

Product overview

Earth Discovery Institute offers a portfolio of conservation and environmental education programs serving the San Diego region. The organization operates two main program areas: Conservation Programs (Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens, Milkweed Farm, Bat Conservation, Habitat Restoration, and Community Science) and Education & Outreach Programs (Field Trips, Family Days, Nature Discovery Camp, School-Based Lessons, EDI Scholarship, Storybook Hike, and Education Resources). These programs are integrated to achieve the mission of inspiring stewardship of San Diego's native biodiversity through hands-on learning and habitat restoration activities. The organization serves children and families, particularly from under-resourced communities in East and Southeast San Diego County, with science-based outdoor education aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens Establishes native habitat gardens to support western monarch butterfly conservation, providing food sources and breeding grounds for pollinators on conserved lands in San Diego County.
• Milkweed Farm A narrow-leaved milkweed seed farm established to develop a San Diego County seed bank, supporting monarch butterfly recovery by cultivating host plants on the Lakeside Downs property.
• Bat Conservation Conservation initiative focused on protecting bat species and their habitats in San Diego County through habitat protection and education efforts.
• Habitat Restoration Ecological restoration activities on conserved lands including native species planting, weed management, and long-term maintenance planning, with 20,000+ plants planted to date.
• Community Science Citizen science initiatives that engage volunteers in data collection on phenology, native pollinators, rare species, and MSCP Preserve research needs using platforms such as iNaturalist, SEEK, and Nature's Notebook.
• Field Trips Hands-on outdoor science education experiences for students, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), conducted at nature preserves and ecological reserves.
• Family Days Family-oriented outdoor education events that engage communities in learning about and experiencing nature together at conserved lands in San Diego County.
• Nature Discovery Camp Summer day camp program for children providing science-based outdoor learning experiences at partner agency-owned lands including Crestridge Ecological Reserve.
• School-Based Lessons NGSS-aligned environmental education curriculum delivered to 4th and 5th grade students in Southeast San Diego County, incorporating hands-on science and habitat restoration activities.
• EDI Scholarship Scholarship program for high school students from Southeast San Diego County supporting the next generation of environmental scientists and conservationists.
• Storybook Hike Self-guided nature walks featuring children's storybooks installed along trails, combining literacy with outdoor exploration at locations such as Crestridge Ecological Reserve.
• Education Resources Digital educational materials including online content, videos, and printable resources about western monarch butterflies, pollinators, and biodiversity conservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ children received science-based environmental education
• +2 more outcomes

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

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Diego Pollinator AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership to develop strategy for conserving western monarch butterfly, including growing and distribution of narrow-leaved milkweed. EDI represented at every San Diego Pollinator Alliance meeting.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership for monarch butterfly conservation, wildlife refuge programs, and habitat restoration on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge lands.
• San Diego Natural History MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on western monarch butterfly conservation research and regional conservation strategy development.
• San Diego Zoo GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in western monarch butterfly conservation efforts and regional species recovery initiatives.
• Monarch Joint VenturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership coordinating monarch butterfly conservation efforts, supporting regional strategy development for western monarch recovery.
• Conservation Biology InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for habitat restoration and monitoring planning to support recovery of rare and listed species.
• San Diego Management and Monitoring ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on regional conservation monitoring and management of MSCP Preserve lands.
• San Diego River Park FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization focused on San Diego River preservation and conservation efforts.
• Crestridge Ecological ReservecoreOthersPartner agency land used for education programs, day camps, and restoration activities. Location for Storywalk installation.
• San Diego National Wildlife RefugecoreOthersFederal refuge partnership for habitat garden development, interpretive signs, and educational programming.
• El Monte Ecological PreserveminorOthersEcological preserve location for education and conservation activities including Hanson Pond.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nature Collective: San Diego-based nonprofit focused on habitat restoration, native plant propagation, and outdoor education in the San Elijo Lagoon area. Highly comparable mission and program mix (restoration, education, native plants), operating in the same regional conservation ecosystem as EDI.
• San Diego Audubon Society: Local Audubon chapter delivering bird-focused environmental education, field trips, and habitat conservation programs across San Diego County. Overlaps with EDI on community science, field-based learning, and conservation volunteer engagement.
• I Love A Clean San Diego: Environmental education and stewardship nonprofit in San Diego County focused on community engagement, volunteer programs, and outdoor conservation experiences. Overlaps with EDI on volunteer-driven stewardship and school/community education.
• Cuyamaca Outdoor School: Residential outdoor science school in San Diego County delivering NGSS-aligned environmental education programs to elementary students. Direct peer on NGSS curriculum alignment and school-based outdoor education for Southeast San Diego County students.
• Outdoor Outreach: San Diego-based nonprofit using outdoor experiences and environmental education to engage underserved youth. Comparable target population (under-resourced San Diego County youth), curriculum-style delivery, and field-based program model.
• San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat): Regional natural history museum delivering nature-based education, citizen science, and biodiversity research programs across San Diego County. Direct peer in environmental education and community science, with EDI explicitly partnering with the museum on western monarch conservation.
• Conservation Biology Institute: Nonprofit specializing in conservation planning, habitat monitoring, and ecological data analysis. Existing EDI partner on habitat restoration and monitoring planning; shares focus on rare and listed species recovery in the same San Diego region.

Broad incumbents

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: National nonprofit focused on invertebrate conservation, including western monarch butterfly recovery, pollinator habitat, and citizen science. Operates at a much larger national scale but overlaps with EDI on milkweed cultivation and monarch recovery strategy.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Major conservation and education organization operating the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, with overlapping focus on species recovery (including western monarch) and field-based conservation education in the San Diego region. Significantly larger and broader in scope, but engages the same donor and partner ecosystems as EDI.

Regional players

• San Diego River Park Foundation: Nonprofit focused on conservation, restoration, and community engagement along the San Diego River corridor. Listed as a community partner of EDI and operates comparable habitat restoration and volunteer-based programming in the same region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EDIExplorers
• Instagraminstagram.com/EDIExplorers
• Xx.com/EdiExplorers

Compliance1 record

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 Earth Discovery Institute