Partners for Environmental Justice

What Partners for Environmental Justice does

Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 in Raleigh, North Carolina, in response to severe flooding in the Rochester Heights neighborhood following Hurricane Fran. The organization operates a hyperlocal environmental justice portfolio centered on the Walnut Creek Wetlands in Southeast Raleigh, serving historically underserved and predominantly Black communities including Rochester Heights and Biltmore Hills. PEJ's core offerings are not commercial products but a portfolio of community programs: the Walnut Creek Wetland Center (an urban wetland park providing ecological and flood-mitigation functions), the Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (WCWLN) — a six-week cohort-style education program with ~200 graduates across 7 cohorts as of 2024 and 12 cohorts as of 2025, paying a $400 stipend to participants who complete a community project — the Watershed Action Team coordination program, and the Urban Waters Federal Partnership program following Walnut Creek's April 2023 designation as the nation's 21st UWFP location. The organization also runs the Bailey Drive Gateway expansion project (launched 2025 with The Conservation Fund) and recurring community events including Mud Day and the Our Creek. Our Communities. Festival. Technology footprint is limited to standard civic-tech tooling — ArcGIS StoryMaps for the interactive Walnut Creek storymap, Microsoft Teams for virtual sessions, and web-based information clearinghouses (Watershed Action Plan, WIPS Tool, SCITS) — none proprietary.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable channels: individual donations (one-time, monthly, annual), grants from federal agencies (EPA, USDA, NOAA), state agencies (NC DEQ), regional foundations (Triangle Community Foundation, The Conservation Fund), corporate sponsors (Duke Energy Foundation, per funding data a $0 raise on 2024-04-22), and municipal partners (City of Raleigh, Town of Cary, Wake County). PEJ employs 1–10 staff and is governed by a board that includes NCSU faculty, an environmental justice attorney, a Neuse Riverkeeper, and an Ecosystems Engineer. The customer base is community-defined rather than commercial — Southeast Raleigh residents, K-12 students, watershed volunteers, and government agency partners — and all programs are delivered free of charge to participants. Executive Director George C. Jones Jr. succeeded founder Dr. Norman C. Camp III, who passed away in 2018 and after whom the Walnut Creek Wetland Center was posthumously renamed the Norman & Betty Camp Education Center.

Name

Partners for Environmental Justice

Legal name

Partners for Environmental Justice

Website

https://pejraleighnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Partners for Environmental Justice is a Raleigh, NC-based nonprofit that restores urban wetlands and delivers environmental education in underserved Southeast Raleigh communities, serving residents, students, and government partners through the Walnut Creek Wetland Center and Watershed Learning Network programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Environmental Justice Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

Keywords

• Wetland restoration services
• Environmental justice advocacy
• Watershed education programs
• Community environmental engagement
• Green stormwater infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: PEJ accepts one-time, monthly, and yearly donations from individuals to support wetland restoration, community education, and environmental justice efforts.
2. Grant Funding: The organization receives grant funding from government agencies (EPA, USDA, NC DEQ, NOAA), foundations (Triangle Community Foundation, The Conservation Fund), corporations (Duke Energy), and organizations (National League of Cities, Town of Cary).
3. Volunteer Programs: PEJ organizes volunteer activities including litter cleanups, GSI management, and project-specific volunteer events that support restoration work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ) is a nonprofit organization that restores urban wetlands in Southeast Raleigh and operates community-led environmental justice programs. Its core offerings are the Walnut Creek Wetlands Center (an urban wetland park delivering flood mitigation, water quality, and recreational benefits), the Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (a six-week cohort-style community education program with a $400 stipend for graduates), and the Watershed Action Team (which coordinates watershed improvement projects via a web-based Watershed Action Plan clearinghouse), supplemented by volunteer programs and community events.

Product overview

Partners for Environmental Justice is a grassroots nonprofit organization that does not offer a traditional technology product, but rather operates a portfolio of environmental education and community engagement programs centered on urban wetland restoration. The core offerings include the Walnut Creek Wetlands Center (an urban wetland park providing ecological and recreational benefits), the Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (a six-week cohort-based education program), the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program (connecting local efforts to national resources), and the Watershed Action Team (coordinating watershed improvement projects through a web-based clearinghouse). Additional programs include the Bailey Drive Gateway expansion project, volunteer opportunities focused on green stormwater infrastructure, and community events such as Mud Day and the Norman Builds a Park exhibit. The organization leverages technology tools including mapping platforms (ArcGIS StoryMaps), virtual meeting software (Microsoft Teams), and environmental data tools (WIPS Tool, SCITS Tool) to support its educational and community engagement missions rather than to offer a commercial technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (WCWLN): A six-week, cohort-style community education and empowerment initiative that empowers watershed residents with knowledge of environmental justice and civic engagement.

Products and services

• Walnut Creek Wetlands Center An urban wetland park in Southeast Raleigh that reduces flooding, improves water quality, supports diverse wildlife, and provides recreational and educational opportunities for the community. Operated by PEJ at the Norman & Betty Camp Education Center (formerly the Walnut Creek Wetland Center), renamed in 2018.
• Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (WCWLN) A six-week cohort-style community education and empowerment initiative that equips watershed residents with knowledge of environmental justice, water quality, heat islands, climate risks, and civic engagement. Participants design, complete, and present a community project to graduate and earn a $400 stipend.
• Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program A national initiative connecting Walnut Creek to federal, state, and local agencies and grassroots organizations to drive ecosystem restoration, public health improvement, and local economic strengthening in Southeast Raleigh.
• Walnut Creek Watershed Action Team (WAT) A core group of stakeholders coordinating education, outreach, and implementation of watershed improvement projects within the Walnut Creek watershed, supported by a web-based information clearinghouse called the Watershed Action Plan (WAP) and an interactive ArcGIS Walnut Creek StoryMap.
• Bailey Drive Gateway A Parks with Purpose project creating a southern gateway to Walnut Creek Wetland Park with pedestrian and bicycle connections, environmental education opportunities, and cultural storytelling elements honoring local history.
• Volunteer Programs Volunteer opportunities including litter cleanups, green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) management, and project-specific volunteer activities supporting wetland restoration and maintenance across multiple Raleigh locations.
• Community Events Community gatherings including environmental workshops, habitat restoration events, GSI maintenance volunteer events, Mud Day festival, and the annual Norman Builds a Park outdoor storybook exhibit, offered free to the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~200 graduates from Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network across 7 cohorts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2023EPA made the official announcement designating Walnut Creek as the 21st Urban Waters Federal Partner location at the Norman & Betty Camp Education Center. EPA leads the national UWFP initiative connecting urban communities with waterways.
• The Conservation Fund (TCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Conservation Fund leads the Parks with Purpose program and partnered with PEJ on the Bailey Drive Gateway project to expand access to green spaces in Southeast Raleigh. TCF provides direct funding and works alongside PEJ, City of Raleigh, and Walnut Creek Wetland Partnership to create a southern gateway to Walnut Creek Wetland Park.
• NC State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC State University is a partner in the Walnut Creek Watershed Action Team, contributing academic expertise and research capabilities to watershed improvement efforts. The university supports through the NC State Water Resources Research Institute and various faculty collaborations.
• City of RaleighcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Raleigh is a key partner in the Watershed Action Team and collaborated on the Bailey Drive Gateway project. The city provides support through Parks & Recreation, Stormwater division, and Sustainable Cities Initiative (Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities).
• Town of CarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTown of Cary participates in the Walnut Creek Watershed Action Team and provided additional funding for the Watershed Learning Network program.
• Wake County GovernmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWake County Government is a partner in the Walnut Creek Watershed Action Team, supporting watershed coordination and improvement initiatives.
• NC DEQ Division of Water ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC DEQ Division of Water Resources is a key partner in the Watershed Action Team, recognized for leadership in the Walnut Creek watershed efforts. Staff received accolades for Watershed Action Team leadership.
• US Geological Survey (USGS)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationUSGS participates in the Walnut Creek Watershed Action Team, contributing scientific expertise and monitoring capabilities to watershed assessment efforts.
• Carolina Wetlands AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarolina Wetlands Association co-hosted the EPA's official UWFP announcement event with PEJ in April 2023. The organization is a partner in the Watershed Action Team and supports wetland conservation efforts.
• U.S. Department of the InteriorsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, participating in the April 2023 announcement event for Walnut Creek's inclusion in the national initiative.
• NC Department of Environmental QualitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC DEQ participated in the UWFP announcement event and supports watershed action planning through the Division of Water Resources. Manages the Watershed Action Plans program.
• NC Forest ServicesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the April 2023 UWFP announcement event representing state forestry resources for watershed protection.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, contributing to the Walnut Creek designation announcement in April 2023.
• National League of CitiessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided additional funding for the Watershed Learning Network program development and implementation.
• NC State Water Resources Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with PEJ on the Bailey Drive Gateway project to incorporate land near Bailey Drive into Walnut Creek Wetland Park. Provides technical expertise for watershed planning.
• Urban Waters Learning Network (UWLN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWLN supports PEJ's pilot projects through funding, technical assistance, and shared learning. The network connects watershed restoration efforts that prioritize people and place across multiple communities.
• Southeast Raleigh YMCAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PEJ to host the first Our Creek. Our Communities. Festival celebrating Earth Day following the UWFP announcement in 2023.
• City of Raleigh Parks & RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Raleigh Parks & Recreation partners with PEJ to host the annual Mud Day festival at Walnut Creek Wetland Park, highlighting wetland importance and encouraging children to explore nature through activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Conservation Fund: A national nonprofit that works at the intersection of conservation, economic development, and community partnerships. Directly partners with PEJ on Bailey Drive Gateway under its Parks with Purpose program and shares the watershed-stewardship framework.
• Trust for Public Land: A national land-conservation and urban-parks organization that funds Parks with Purpose-style gateway projects and community parks, including collaborating with PEJ on Bailey Drive Gateway. Operates at a much larger scale but pursues overlapping urban green-space and equity goals.
• Earthjustice: A national environmental law organization that litigates environmental justice cases and has interned PEJ board member James Huey. Comparable because it pursues the legal/advocacy arm of the environmental-justice mission PEJ executes on the ground.
• River Network: A national nonprofit that supports local watershed organizations (including via Urban Waters-type convenings) and convenes the field around water-justice practice. PEJ is one of its featured UWLN pilot sites, evidencing direct operational overlap.
• National Wildlife Federation: A large national conservation organization operating community education, habitat restoration, and advocacy programs. Comparable in mission and program mix (habitat + education + advocacy), though it operates at vastly greater scale than PEJ's neighborhood-level work.

Direct peers

• Groundwork USA: A national network of community-based environmental justice nonprofits that run urban greening, stormwater management, and environmental education programs in historically underserved neighborhoods. Directly comparable to PEJ's model of pairing green-infrastructure restoration with resident-led education.
• Southern Coalition for Social Justice: A Durham, NC-based nonprofit providing free legal and advocacy services on environmental, racial, and economic justice issues. PEJ board member James Huey is a practicing attorney there, and the organizations collaborate within North Carolina on overlapping environmental-justice portfolios.
• Carolina Wetlands Association: A regional wetland-conservation membership organization that co-hosted the April 2023 UWFP announcement with PEJ and is a core Watershed Action Team partner. Operates in the same geography on overlapping wetland-restoration and education mandates.

Emerging players

• Triangle Community Foundation: A Raleigh-Durham regional community foundation that has been a long-standing PEJ funding partner since the 1990s and co-developed the Watershed Learning Network concept. Compares as a regional grantmaker advancing the same community-driven environmental-restoration priorities.

Regional players

• Sound Rivers: A North Carolina-based riverkeeper organization running Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watershed programs, including water-quality monitoring and advocacy. PEJ board member Samantha Krop serves as Neuse Riverkeeper at Sound Rivers, evidencing direct programmatic and geographic overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/partners-for-environmental-justice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Partners for Environmental Justice