SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers

What SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers does

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 and headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, that operates at the intersection of environmental education, green workforce development, and carbon solutions consulting for rural Northern Michigan communities. The organization runs four integrated programs: EcoSchool delivers free nature-based after-school and summer programs to 500+ K-12 students annually across 12 rural Northern Michigan school districts, funded primarily through federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) grants; EcoCorps provides paid green-collar workforce training that has prepared 575+ youth since 2009 in ecological restoration, trail building, woodworking, and land management; EcoStrategies offers carbon and sustainability consulting using US EPA modeling programs to municipalities and institutions; and the organization operates the 56-acre SEEDS EcoLearning Center at Historic Barns Park within Grand Traverse Commons as a regional hub for public recreation, agriculture, and environmental education, in partnership with the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park and Traverse City Community Garden.

The organization's technology stack centers on place-based environmental education methodologies and operational ecological infrastructure rather than software platforms. Key physical assets include an Earth Flow IM20 in-vessel composting system with 200-ton annual capacity, a newly deployed 60-ton-per-year in-vessel composter launched in September 2024 with the City of Traverse City, solar and geothermal demonstration systems at Historic Barns Park, and urban wood rescue and woodworking facilities supporting the Wood Rescue Initiative. SEEDS maintains a small e-commerce storefront selling compost accessories, lavender bundles, red wiggler worms ($15), compost yard signs ($20), and food scrap drop-off memberships ($15/month), and operates the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market and East Bay Corners Farmers Market as community engagement and outreach channels.

SEEDS' revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure combining federal grants (USDA, US Department of Education, National Park Foundation, National Forest Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, National Park Service), state agency grants (Michigan EGLE, Michigan Department of Education), local municipal funding (City of Traverse City, East Bay Township, Grand Traverse County), tribal nation funding (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians), community foundation grants, individual donations (tiered $5 to $1,000+ with named giving levels and monthly recurring options), corporate sponsorships, EcoStrategies consulting fees, EcoCorps crew service fees, and modest e-commerce product sales. The organization holds a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and was recognized by Michigan's Race to Talent in 2024. Following a 2025 federal funding freeze scare that threatened its 21CCLC grants, SEEDS began restructuring to reduce grant dependency.

Name

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers

Legal name

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers

Website

https://ecoseeds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating EcoSchool (K-12 environmental education), EcoCorps (green-collar workforce training), EcoStrategies (carbon consulting), and a 56-acre EcoLearning Center at Historic Barns Park in Traverse City, Michigan, serving rural communities and municipalities across Northwest Lower Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education and Sustainability Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Environmental education services
• Green workforce development
• Community composting programs
• Carbon consulting services
• Habitat restoration training

Headquarters

HQ city

Traverse City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations at various tiers ($5-$1000+), monthly recurring donations, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind gifts. Major donor campaign with named giving levels.
2. Government Grants: Federal grants including Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC), USDA grants, Michigan Department of Education funding, state grants, and foundation grants. EIN 38-3482266.
3. Product Sales: Wood Rescue Initiative products, food scrap drop-off memberships ($15/month), fresh lavender bundles ($5-$20), red wigglers for vermicomposting ($15), compost yard signs ($20), EcoCorps consultations ($25)
4. Program Service Fees: Fees for EcoCorps crew services, consulting through EcoStrategies, farmers market management fees
5. Consulting Services: EcoStrategies provides consulting and coaching services to reduce regional carbon footprint, including climate action plans, energy management, and zero waste implementation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers integrated environmental services through four programs: EcoSchool provides free place-based after-school and summer programming to K-12 students in rural northern Michigan schools; EcoCorps delivers paid green-collar workforce training in habitat restoration, trail building, and woodworking; EcoStrategies offers carbon footprint consulting using US EPA modeling to municipalities and institutions; and Historic Barns Park operates a 56-acre demonstration site for composting, renewable energy, and environmental education.

Product overview

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers is a nonprofit organization operating four intersecting programs: EcoSchool (nature-based after-school and summer education), EcoCorps (environmental workforce development and green-collar career training), EcoStrategies (carbon solutions consulting), and the SEEDS EcoLearning Center at Historic Barns Park (a 56-acre regional hub for recreation, agriculture, and environmental design). The organization also maintains an e-commerce shop selling environmental products including compost supplies, gardening items, and vermicomposting materials. These programs work together to regenerate habitat, prevent carbon emissions, develop talent pipelines for green industries, and invest in the next generations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EcoSchool: Nature-based education and place-based learning program bringing hands-on and outdoor activities to K-12 students across Northern Michigan
• EcoCorps
• EcoStrategies
• Historic Barns Park
• Compost Petting Zoo
• Wood Rescue Initiative

Products and services

• EcoSchool Nature-based after-school and summer program bringing place-based learning opportunities to K-12 students across 15 Northern Michigan schools. Includes hands-on and outdoor activities developing leadership, life skills, and resilience, with homework help, meals, mentorship, and social-emotional learning. Free to participants, funded primarily by federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants.
• EcoCorps Green-collar career exploration and paid workforce training program. Crew members gain paid work experience serving local communities in ecological restoration, land maintenance, trail building, landscaping, invasive species management, and green infrastructure. Since 2009, more than 575 youth have participated in EcoCorps.
• EcoStrategies
• Historic Barns Park
• Community Food Scrap Drop-Off Access
• Fresh Lavender Bundles
• Red Wigglers for Vermicomposting
• Compost Yard Sign
• EcoCorps Consultation
• Wood Rescue Initiative

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 575 youth trained through EcoCorps since 2009
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and minor.

• East Bay TownshipsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2025Partner with East Bay Corners Farmers Market; provided grant support for market capacity and new programming including Power of Produce for children.
• Institute for Local Self-ReliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SEEDS featured in January 2026 Keep Compost Local report as case study. Report provides guidance for governments to support local composting initiatives.
• Michigan Recycling CoalitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024SEEDS partnered with coalition to organize 10 Northern Michigan stops for the Great Michigan Compost Tour (Compost Crawl).
• Michigan Healthy Climate CorpssecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024SEEDS hosts MI Healthy Climate Corps members. First cohort began March 2024 with 31 members statewide working on climate action through October 2025.
• Urban Wood NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EcoCorps Program Director Jennifer Flynn appointed to board. Supports urban wood rescue and utilization efforts.
• Carter's CompostcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Key partner in composting initiative. Partnership launched in 2024 transforming food and yard waste into compost. Carter's collection jumped from 25,000 to projected 50,000 pounds in 2025. Current resident farmer at SEEDS Farm.
• City of Traverse CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Major municipal partner for composting program (USDA $255,396 grant), urban wood program, and park improvements. SEEDS helps run the city's in-vessel composting unit processing up to 60 tons of food waste annually.
• Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three nonprofit partners managing the 56-acre Historic Barns Park at Grand Traverse Commons. Joint programming includes farm operations, environmental education, and community events. SEEDS operates from the Blacksmith Shop and runs the SEEDS Farm.
• Traverse City Community GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird nonprofit partner in Historic Barns Park management. Collaborates on community gardening, agricultural programming, and park improvements at the 56-acre site.
• Michigan Organics CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Great Michigan Compost Tour with SEEDS organizing local Compost Crawl events.
• Father Fred FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent resident farmer at SEEDS Farm. Giving Garden grows and distributes fresh food to families experiencing food insecurity.
• Salix CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent resident farmer at SEEDS Farm focused on sustainable agriculture.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Teton Science Schools: Wyoming-based nonprofit operating place-based environmental education programs across multiple campuses. Closely comparable multi-program rural environmental education model with K-12, adult, and professional training offerings, and a similarly long operating history.
• Blandford Nature Center: Grand Rapids, Michigan-based nonprofit with K-12 environmental education, summer camps, and a working farm. Direct Michigan peer with overlapping education and food/agriculture programming.
• Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES): Colorado nonprofit combining nature preserve, K-12 environmental education, and conservation programs. Highly comparable integrated model of education, habitat, and community programming, though operating at a larger scale.
• Kalamazoo Nature Center: Michigan-based nonprofit operating a nature preserve plus K-12 environmental education and summer camps. Direct in-state peer with overlapping programs and target audience.
• North Branch Nature Center: Vermont-based nonprofit nature center with K-12 environmental education, summer camps, and conservation programs. Comparable rural, place-based education nonprofit with a similar scale of operations.
• Chippewa Nature Center: Midland, Michigan-based nonprofit with nature preserve, K-12 environmental education, and historical agriculture programming. Comparable scale and mission within Michigan.
• Hitchcock Center for the Environment: Massachusetts-based nonprofit offering K-12 environmental education, professional development, and a residential green building demonstration site. Comparable multi-program education-plus-infrastructure model for a regional community.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Large national environmental nonprofit operating in Michigan with land conservation, climate, and education programming. Competes for similar federal and foundation grant pools and operates in overlapping geographies.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Federal National Park Service unit in northern Michigan offering ranger-led environmental education and interpretation. Major regional nature/education player that complements rather than directly competes with SEEDS' school-based programming.

Regional players

• Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities: Northern Michigan-based nonprofit focused on climate, energy, and food systems. Direct partner of SEEDS (East Bay Corners Farmers Market funding) and addresses overlapping community sustainability priorities in the same 10-county region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SEEDSTC
• Instagraminstagram.com/seedstc/?hl=en
• Xx.com/seedstc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seeds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 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 SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers