OC Habitats

What OC Habitats does

OC Habitats is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization headquartered in Santa Ana, California, that protects, conserves, and restores Orange County's native habitats through education, restoration, and monitoring programs. Founded in 2017, the organization operates with a small part-time staff (1-10 employees) supplemented by a large volunteer base across Orange County sites including Huntington Beach Wetlands, Upper Newport Bay Wetlands, Turtle Rock Nature Center in Irvine, Crystal Cove, and other coastal and inland conservation locations. Core deliverables include environmental education programs for Title 1 schools and underserved communities, hands-on habitat restoration projects, species monitoring programs (sea urchins and Monarch butterflies), guided habitat tours, tidepool and MPA hikes, habitat cleanups, an annual fundraiser with silent auction, and a Habitat Video Series. The organization also runs structured six-month internship programs with five regional universities (CSULB, CSUF, UCI, UCR, Vanguard).

The organization has no proprietary software or technology platform; its technical footprint consists of a Wix-based website with multilingual versions (English, Spanish, Korean), the Better Impact platform for volunteer and intern applications, Givebutter for online donations, Redbubble for merchandise sales, and an active social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

OC Habitats generates revenue through three streams: tax-deductible individual, corporate, and organizational donations; grants (including an OC Coastkeeper Grant); and merchandise sales via Redbubble. The organization operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market model centered on volunteer recruitment, hands-on restoration projects, and recurring community events including guided hikes, habitat cleanups, restoration projects, MPA hikes, tidepool explorations, and the annual fundraiser with silent auction. Pricing is non-commercial — donations are voluntary and 100% tax-deductible. The organization maintains strategic partnerships with six core conservation entities (Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Ocean Institute, OC Coastkeeper, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy, International Bird Rescue, OC Parks) plus corporate sponsors (EarthWise Hauling, K2 Lopez Trucking, Duck Brand), and demonstrated operational scale through mobilization of 10,000+ volunteers during the October 2021 Pipeline P00547 oil spill response and recovery of over 520,000 lbs of oily sandy debris.

Name

OC Habitats

Legal name

OC Habitats

Website

https://ochabitats.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

OC Habitats is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that protects and restores Orange County, California's native habitats through volunteer-led education, restoration, and species-monitoring programs serving local schools, communities, and conservation partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Habitat conservation
• Environmental education
• Wetlands restoration
• Species monitoring
• Volunteer coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Ana

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations. Certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN # 82-2478090. Annual fundraiser with silent auction and matching donor campaigns.
2. Grants: Funding from grants including OC Coastkeeper Grant for environmental programs and restoration projects.
3. Merchandise Sales: OCH merchandise including hats, shirts, bags, coloring books, and tumblers sold through Redbubble. Volunteers earn OCH gear by participating in volunteer activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OC Habitats is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects, conserves, and restores native habitats across Orange County, California through environmental education, hands-on restoration projects, and species monitoring programs. The organization delivers habitat conservation services at sites including Huntington Beach Wetlands, Upper Newport Bay Wetlands, Turtle Rock Nature Center, and Santa Ana, and operates educational outreach to Title 1 schools, senior centers, and underserved communities, alongside structured volunteer, intern, and donation programs.

Product overview

OC Habitats is a grassroots nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of conservation-focused programs rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include Environmental Education Programs for schools and underserved communities, Habitat Restoration Projects at multiple Orange County locations, Species Monitoring Programs (sea urchin and Monarch butterfly), and Intern Programs for college students. The organization supplements these with educational content through its Blog and Habitat Video Series, experiential programs including Habitat Tours and Cleanups, Coffee and Conservation presentations, and MPA/Tidepool Hikes. OC Habitats also provides Volunteer Management through BetterImpact for joining as crew members, accepts donations via Givebutter, and manages an OCH Merchandise Store on Redbubble for volunteer recognition items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Environmental Education Programs Educational programs delivered at local Title 1 schools, senior centers, and underserved communities in Orange County focusing on habitat conservation and environmental awareness for K-12 students and seniors.
• Habitat Restoration Projects Conservation restoration initiatives at locations including Santa Ana, Huntington Beach Wetlands, Upper Newport Bay Wetlands, and Turtle Rock Nature Center (Irvine) designed to protect and restore native Orange County ecosystems.
• Species Monitoring Programs Wildlife monitoring initiatives including the Sea Urchin Monitoring Program for intertidal habitats and the Monarch Butterfly Monitoring Program for overwintering populations, including staffing, supplies, and field activities.
• Habitat Tours and Cleanups Guided tours of local habitats (coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grasslands, riparian, wetlands) combined with cleanup activities, offered to schools and corporations seeking volunteer opportunities and team-building experiences.
• OCH Merchandise Store Volunteer recognition items including OCH hats, shirts, bags, coloring books, and tumblers available for purchase on Redbubble or earned by participating in OC Habitats volunteer activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ volunteers mobilized during 2021 oil spill response
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ocean InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2021Collecting donations for oil spill recovery and restoration efforts. Partner in marine education and conservation
• OC CoastkeepercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2021Grant recipient and conservation partner. Collecting donations for wildlife rescue during oil spill response
• Huntington Beach Wetlands ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2021Partner for restoration projects at Huntington Beach Wetlands. Donations collected through OCH for their work
• International Bird RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2021Wildlife rescue partner during oil spill events, caring for oiled birds and other affected wildlife
• EarthWise HaulingminorOthersCorporate partner supporting conservation efforts through donations and sponsorship
• Bolsa Chica ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for wetlands restoration and protection. Joint efforts during oil spill response and ongoing habitat monitoring
• Santa Ana Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber partnership supporting local business engagement in conservation efforts
• OC ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for restoration projects and habitat management throughout Orange County parks
• Project GrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community garden and restoration initiatives
• K2 Lopez TruckingminorOthersCorporate sponsor and donor supporting conservation efforts
• Duck BrandminorOthersCorporate sponsor and donor
• Algalita Marine Research & EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speaker partner for Coffee & Conservation events, focusing on marine research and education

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (California): One of the world's largest conservation organizations with active California programs. Comparable in core conservation mission but with vastly greater financial resources, institutional partnerships, and geographic reach.
• Surfrider Foundation: A nationally established nonprofit protecting oceans and beaches. Comparable in mission (coastal habitat protection, education, volunteer mobilization) but operates at much greater scale and brand recognition than OC Habitats.

Direct peers

• International Bird Rescue: A nonprofit specializing in bird rescue and rehabilitation with operations in Southern California. Comparable as a wildlife response partner during oil spill events where OC Habitats conducts habitat surveys and coordinates volunteer support.
• Ocean Institute: A Dana Point-based ocean education nonprofit offering marine science programs. Directly comparable as an OC-based marine education and conservation partner with whom OC Habitats collaborates on oil spill response and joint programming.
• Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy: A nonprofit dedicated to preserving and restoring the Huntington Beach Wetlands. Directly comparable as a local habitat conservation organization focused on the same Orange County wetlands where OC Habitats conducts restoration projects.
• Bolsa Chica Conservancy: A grassroots nonprofit focused on wetlands conservation and education in Huntington Beach, Orange County. Directly comparable as a habitat restoration and environmental education nonprofit operating in the same OC geography and partnering with OC Habitats.
• Sea & Sage Audubon Society: An Orange County chapter of the National Audubon Society focused on bird conservation and habitat protection. Comparable as a regional conservation nonprofit with overlapping species monitoring and habitat education missions.
• OC Coastkeeper: An Orange County-based clean water advocacy nonprofit focused on protecting swimmable, drinkable, fishable waters. Comparable as a regional environmental nonprofit and grant partner of OC Habitats.
• Crystal Cove Conservancy: A nonprofit supporting Crystal Cove State Park through education, conservation, and community programs. Comparable as an OC-based coastal habitat conservation and education nonprofit with similar volunteer and donor models.

Regional players

• Orange County Parks: The public agency managing Orange County's regional parks and open spaces. Comparable as a habitat management entity and core operational partner where OC Habitats conducts restoration and education programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ochabitats
• Facebookfacebook.com/ochabitats
• Instagraminstagram.com/ochabitats
• TikToktiktok.com/@ochabitats
• Xx.com/ochabitats
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oc-habitats

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 OC Habitats