Sweetbriar Nature Center

What Sweetbriar Nature Center does

Sweetbriar Nature Center (legally Environmental Centers Setauket-Smithtown, Inc., ECSS) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 and headquartered on a 54-acre preserve on the Nissequogue River in Smithtown, New York. The organization operates two integrated functions: natural science education for Long Island residents of all ages, and native wildlife rehabilitation. Education is delivered through school and library visits, scout badge programs, on-site classes at the preserve, Summer Discovery week-long programs for ages 4-16, Toddler Discovery series for ages 2-5, birthday party packages, animal encounters, yoga and wellness classes, and nature-art programming at the Judith Collester Art Center. Wildlife rehabilitation is delivered through a dedicated hospital with a full-time staff that cares for sick, orphaned, and injured wild animals, supported by an internship pipeline.

The underlying asset base is physical and biological rather than technological: diverse habitat (gardens, woodland, field, wetland), 100+ non-releasable ambassador animals, a seasonal Butterfly Vivarium (June through mid-September), a mock Rainforest Room with tropical parrots, a Reptile Room, an observation beehive, museum collections, hiking trails, and a Discovery Area playground. The center rehabilitates more than 2,000 wild animals annually and touches more than 120,000 people per year through programs and preserve visits. Operations are supported by more than 150 volunteers and an active internship program. Marketing and distribution run through the sweetbriarnc.org website (Squarespace-built), email, social media, direct relationships with Long Island school districts and libraries, scout councils, and word-of-mouth through the volunteer and alumni network.

Revenue is a hybrid of earned program fees, recurring memberships, corporate sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations (Fed ID #23-7177705). Program fees range from $5 to $575 (camp/program series) with structured unit pricing. Membership tiers run $21 (Senior) to $500+ (Benefactor). Corporate sponsorships are tiered at $250 (Owl), $500 (Osprey), and $1,000+ (Eagle), with more than 25 named corporate sponsors visible on the website. Donations are facilitated through PayPal, Amazon Wishlist, Chewy Wishlist, animal sponsorship/adoption ($25-$300), custom ornaments, and an annual 2026 Appeal letter. The center is led by Executive Director Marie Smith with a board chaired by Elizabeth Santosus.

Name

Sweetbriar Nature Center

Legal name

Environmental Centers Setauket-Smithtown, Inc.

Website

https://sweetbriarnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sweetbriar Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970, operating a 54-acre preserve on Long Island that provides natural science education and native wildlife rehabilitation to schools, families, scouts, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Education and Wildlife Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Environmental education
• Nature center programs
• Scout badge programs
• Summer discovery camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Smithtown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program and Event Fees: Revenue from educational programs including school visits, scout programs, birthday parties, Discovery weeks, toddler programs, and public events. Programs are priced per child or per session with member discounts available.
2. Memberships and Sponsorships: Annual memberships at multiple tiers (Individual $32, Family $37, Senior $21, Supporting $55+, Patron $105+, Benefactor $500+), and corporate sponsorships at Owl ($250), Osprey ($500), and Eagle ($1,000+) levels.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations through PayPal, Chewy Wishlist, Amazon Wishlist, animal sponsorship/adoption programs, custom ornaments, and annual appeals. Fed ID# 23-7177705.
4. Wildlife Experiences and Encounters: Paid experiences including Owl Encounters ($150), A Wildlife Experience ($200), Mini Wildlife Experience ($100), Owl Yoga ($20), Yoga with Goats ($35), and photography sessions.
5. Facility Rental and Photo Sessions: Revenue from private butterfly house sessions ($150/hour), owl photo sessions (onsite $275, offsite $425), and birthday party packages ($500-$800).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sweetbriar Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a 54-acre nature preserve and provides natural science education programs and wildlife rehabilitation services for Long Island residents. It cares for over 2,000 sick, orphaned, and injured wild animals annually and houses more than 100 ambassador animals, while delivering structured programs for schools, libraries, scouts, families, adults, and corporate groups through on-site and off-site delivery.

Product overview

Sweetbriar Nature Center is a private not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering a diverse portfolio of natural science education and wildlife rehabilitation services. The core offerings include wildlife rehabilitation for over 2,000 sick, orphaned, and injured wild animals annually, and natural science education programs serving schools, libraries, scout groups, and the general public. The organization operates Summer Discovery week-long programs for children ages 4-16 and Toddler Discovery programs for ages 2-5. Additional offerings include the Judith Collester Art Center featuring environmental art programs, Animal Encounters and Wildlife Experiences, the Butterfly Vivarium attraction, Yoga programs, Birthday Party packages, Scout Programs, and Internship Programs in wildlife rehabilitation, butterfly vivarium, garden, and education. The center also offers Animal Sponsorship/Adoption and various Membership tiers for ongoing supporter engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Services Care for injured, sick, and orphaned wild native animals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild; over 2,000 animals are rehabilitated annually at the on-site hospital.
• Natural Science Education Programs Curriculum-aligned natural science education programs delivered on-site at Sweetbriar and off-site at schools and libraries across Long Island, covering wildlife, ecosystems, and environmental science.
• Summer Discovery Programs Week-long summer day programs for children ages 4-16 including Nature Explorer's, Animal Detectives, Animal Investigators, Big and Little S.T.E.A.M.er's, Adventures on the Waterside, Wildlife Advocates, and Fantastic Furry & Feathered Friends.
• Toddler Discovery Programs Play-based nature exploration programs for children ages 2-5 including Nature Sprouts, First Steps into Nature, and Wildlife Wonders.
• Judith Collester Art Center Nature-based art programs for adults and children, including Art Is A Hoot, Art Forest Bathing, Painting Under the Sun, and Art Evening with Butterflies, led by Resident Artist Andie Desiderio.
• Animal Encounters and Wildlife Experiences Up-close, small-group wildlife experiences including the Owl Encounter (meeting Aria the Eurasian Eagle Owl), A Wildlife Experience (45-minute tour with blue jay, screech owls, reptiles, and parrots), and the Mini Wildlife Experience.
• Butterfly Vivarium Enclosed outdoor butterfly house featuring butterfly-friendly plants, live butterflies, and education on Lepidoptera lifecycle, metamorphosis, host plants, and nectar plants; open June through mid-September.
• Yoga Programs Yoga and mindfulness classes held on-site and virtually, including Friday Night Yoga with Lisa, Monday Morning Virtual Yoga on Zoom, Owl Yoga, and Yoga with Goats in the Meadow.
• Birthday Party Programs Private birthday party packages featuring live animal interactions, including Animal Interviews, Threatened Wildlife, Creepy Crawlies, and Rainforest Ramble themes, hosted at the main house or barn.
• Scout Programs Educational programs designed around Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts badge requirements, delivered on-site and off-site, including Birds of Prey, Bug Out, Nature Explorer, and Pack Night offerings.
• Adult On-Site and Off-Site Programs Educational presentations for adults, corporate groups, and senior centers including Birds of Prey, Threatened Species, Animal Interviews, and Caring for Wildlife, delivered at Sweetbriar or at the organization's site.
• Animal Sponsorship and Adoption Program Year-round donation program allowing supporters to sponsor or adopt resident animals, rehabilitation animals, or butterflies through tiered annual contributions, with an Adoption Tree leaf displayed at the center.
• Membership Programs Annual membership tiers (Individual, Family, Senior Citizen, Supporting, Patron, Benefactor) that provide program discounts and ongoing support to the nonprofit.
• Library Programs Off-site nature education programs delivered to public libraries on Long Island, adapted from the school program curriculum.
• Internship Programs Internship placements in wildlife rehabilitation, butterfly vivarium, garden and botany, summer discovery education, and natural science education, supporting workforce pipeline development.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Annual corporate sponsorship program at three tiers (Owl $250, Osprey $500, Eagle $1,000+) providing brand visibility on Sweetbriar's website and social media in exchange for financial support.
• Photo Sessions Photography sessions including Owl Encounter Sessions (onsite $275, offsite $425) and Butterfly House Sessions ($150/hour) for up to 6 people.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120,000 people served annually through educational programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Avalon Park and PreserveminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support and visibility as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Best Friends Veterinary CareminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Cavanagh ElectricminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Competition Subaru of SmithtownminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Dr. Ellen Leonhardt of VCAminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Driscoll's Fresh BerriesminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Long Island Veterinary SpecialistsminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center. Likely provides veterinary expertise support.
• Marina CarpetminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Mark T. Freeley, Esq. of The North Shore Injury LawyerminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• PayPalminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor and payment processing platform for donations.
• Teachers Federal Credit UnionminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Stony BrookminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) of CommackminorOthersSoaring Eagle Sponsor ($1,000+) providing financial support as a top-tier corporate sponsor. Likely provides emergency veterinary support for wildlife rehabilitation.
• Capital Financial Planning of SmithtownminorOthersGliding Osprey Sponsor ($500) providing financial support as a mid-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Four Harbors Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGliding Osprey Sponsor ($500) providing financial support and likely shared mission alignment around bird and wildlife conservation.
• PSEGminorOthersGliding Osprey Sponsor ($500) providing financial support as a mid-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Raj and Raj RealtyminorOthersGliding Osprey Sponsor ($500) providing financial support as a mid-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Backyard TropicalsminorOthersGliding Osprey Sponsor ($500) providing financial support as a mid-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center. Likely provides plant expertise for butterfly gardens.
• East Northport Animal HospitalminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Krafty Hands of SmithtownminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Luminous-SpacesminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Monarch Law GroupminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• O2 LawminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• National GridminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Russell Law GroupminorOthersSwift Screech Owl Sponsor ($250) providing financial support as an entry-tier corporate sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
• Amazon WishlistminorOthersAmazon Wishlist provides in-kind donations of supplies needed for animal care and center operations, including food, medical supplies, and enrichment items.
• Chewy WishlistminorOthersChewy Wishlist provides in-kind donations of pet supplies and animal care products needed for wildlife rehabilitation and animal ambassador care.

Scale indicators8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo): Large incumbent nonprofit operating the Bronx Zoo and other wildlife facilities with conservation, education, and wildlife-care programs — comparable in nonprofit mission and core activities but vastly broader in scale.
• National Audubon Society: National nonprofit focused on bird and habitat conservation with local chapters delivering education and advocacy — overlapping conservation mission and education programming at significantly larger scale.
• New York Aquarium (WCS): Major NYC-area public aquarium under WCS with wildlife education and conservation programming — comparable educational mission at substantially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Alley Pond Environmental Center: New York City–area nonprofit environmental education center providing school programs, public events, and wildlife-focused programming — comparable in mission, program structure, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating model.
• Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium: Long Island nonprofit aquarium and environmental education facility offering public animal viewing and school programs — comparable in nonprofit model, family audience, and Long Island geography.
• Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center: Audubon-operated Long Island nature center offering wildlife education, habitat conservation, and public programs — a close peer in mission, audience, and nonprofit nature-center operating model.
• Quogue Wildlife Refuge: Long Island-based nonprofit wildlife refuge offering wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and public trails on preserved habitat — directly comparable in mission, geography, and visitor-facing operations to Sweetbriar.

Regional players

• Center for Wildlife (Cape Neddick): Northeast regional nonprofit wildlife hospital and environmental education center — closely comparable in wildlife rehabilitation focus and nonprofit operating model, though serving a different geography.
• Sands Point Preserve: Long Island nonprofit preserve offering public trails, educational programming, and ticketed events on a comparable preserved-land footprint — overlapping audience and visitor-operations model.
• Long Island Game Farm: Long Island family wildlife park offering animal encounters and educational visits — comparable in family/child audience and visitor-facing wildlife programming on Long Island.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SweetbriarNatureCenterOfficialPage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sweetbriar-nature-center

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Sweetbriar Nature Center