Golden Hills RC&D
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Golden Hills RC&D firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Golden Hills RC&D
- Legal name
- Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development
- Website
- https://goldenhillsrcd.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Golden Hills RC&D industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
Keywords
Where Golden Hills RC&D is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Golden Hills RC&D business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Grants and Fundraising: As a small nonprofit, Golden Hills depends largely on grants and fundraising to sustain conservation and community programs.
- Donations: Financial contributions accepted through PayPal, Venmo, and Share Omaha platform. All donations are tax deductible.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of Loess Hills merchandise including postcards ($50 for pack of 7), WanderLoess bison shirts, Loess Hills prints from Bozz Prints (die-cut stickers $3, 8x10 prints $15, 18x24 prints $35), and prairie-related merchandise as fundraisers.
- Program Fees: Registration fees for events like the LoHi Trek hiking event, workshop fees (e.g., $10 for some workshops), and Iowa Prairie Conference registration ($80 regular, $60 students).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Western Iowa Postcards - Pack of 7 postcards |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Loess Hills Prints and Merchandise |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 2017 Iowa Prairie Conference Registration |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Workshop Fees |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Iowa Master Conservationist Program |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Golden Hills RC&D product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Golden Hills RC&D is a community-led nonprofit organization that develops and delivers conservation, community, and cultural programs in rural western Iowa's Loess Hills ecoregion. Its offerings span land stewardship (prairie seed harvest, native oak project, prairie strips, regenerative agriculture), water resources (streambank stabilization through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program with NRCS, Hungry Canyons Alliance gully work), outdoor recreation (annual LoHi Trek hiking event, trails coordination), and educational programs (Iowa Master Conservationist course, workshops). It also sells branded merchandise (postcards, prints, bison shirts) as fundraising tools.
Product overview
Golden Hills RC&D is a nonprofit organization that offers a portfolio of conservation, community, and cultural programs focused on rural western Iowa. The organization operates across multiple service areas including land stewardship (prairie seed harvest, native oak project, regenerative agriculture, prairie strips), water resources (streambank stabilization through RCPP, Hungry Canyons Alliance), outdoor recreation and tourism (LoHi Trek hiking event, trails coordination), community partnerships, local foods, and arts and culture. They also provide educational programs like the Iowa Master Conservationist course and publish resources including the Loess Hills Plant List and LID ordinances. Merchandise sales (bison shirts, prints, postcards) serve as fundraising mechanisms. The organization does not offer a unified technology product platform but rather functions as a traditional nonprofit delivering programs and services directly to the community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LoHi Trek Annual four-day hiking and camping event through the Loess Hills that offers immersive outdoor experiences, expert-guided educational activities, and community engagement for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Iowa Master Conservationist Program Conservation education course delivered in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Pottawattamie County Conservation, comprising roughly 12 hours of online curriculum and six in-person sessions at Hitchcock Nature Center; priced at $100 per participant ($50 for students).
- Streambank Stabilization (RCPP) Regional Conservation Partnership Program delivered with the NRCS to stabilize streambanks along western Iowa rivers, providing technical and financial assistance to property owners to reduce erosion and improve water quality.
- Prairie Seed Harvest Conservation program that harvests native prairie grass and forb seeds for use in prairie restoration and conservation projects across western Iowa.
- Hungry Canyons Alliance Alliance program that addresses gully erosion and streambank stabilization across western Iowa through technical assistance and conservation partnerships with landowners.
- Native Oak Project Project that develops markets for locally-sourced and propagated native oak trees, including acorn harvesting, grower training, and facilitating local sales of oak seedlings.
- Prairie Strips Conservation practice that integrates strips of native prairie into crop fields to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat for participating landowners.
- Regenerative Agriculture Program supporting adoption of soil-health and sustainable farming practices among western Iowa landowners and producers.
- Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinances Model development ordinances and a Storm Water Best Management Practices Guidance Manual developed for Loess Hills communities to manage urban growth while protecting erodible loess soil topography.
- Loess Hills Merchandise Fundraiser merchandise including WanderLoess bison shirts, Loess Hills prints and die-cut stickers from Bozz Prints, and Western Iowa postcards, sold to support Golden Hills programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 8.4% annual increase in Bird-Friendliness Index on Audubon Conservation Ranching certified lands (76% overall increase 2016-2023)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Golden Hills RC&D
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Golden Hills RC&D technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Golden Hills RC&D partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Iowa Natural Heritage FoundationcoreIowa Natural Heritage Foundation is a 2026 LoHi Trek sponsor and partner, leading hikers on private property tours. INHF also manages the Little Sioux Scout Ranch which is part of Loess Hills State Forest.
- The Nature Conservancy in IowacoreThe Nature Conservancy in Iowa is a 2026 LoHi Trek sponsor, supporting the annual hiking event in the Loess Hills.
- Audubon Upper MississippicoreAudubon Conservation Ranching launched in Iowa in 2026, with Golden Hills promoting the program to help reverse grassland bird declines by partnering with cattle and bison producers. Program provides technical and financial assistance to enrolled producers.
- NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)coreGolden Hills works with NRCS on streambank stabilization through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS provides technical assistance and cost-share opportunities for riverbank property owners.
- Iowa Department of Natural ResourcescoreIowa DNR works with Golden Hills on managing public lands including Loess Hills Wildlife Area, Sylvan Runkel State Preserve, and Loess Hills State Forest. DNR staff provide expertise for educational events and trails.
- Woodbury County Conservation BoardmajorWoodbury County Conservation Board manages public lands used for LoHi Trek including Oak Ridge Conservation Area and Southwood Conservation Area. Staff led educational presentations during 2026 Trek.
- Pottawattamie County Trails AssociationmajorGolden Hills Trails Coordinator develops recreational trails in Pottawattamie County in partnership with Pottawattamie County Trails Association and Pottawattamie Conservation.
- Pottawattamie ConservationmajorPartnership for trails development in Pottawattamie County alongside the Trails Coordinator position funded by Golden Hills.
- Iowa State University Extension and OutreachcoreGolden Hills partners with ISU Extension and Outreach and Pottawattamie County Conservation to offer the Iowa Master Conservationist Program at Hitchcock Nature Center.
- Midwest Cover Crop CouncilminorGolden Hills Project Coordinator participated in Cover Crops Essentials course developed by Midwest Cover Crop Council, gaining expertise in cover crop research for conservation.
- Loess Hills National Scenic Byway CouncilminorPartner in developing Low Impact Development ordinances to protect Loess Hills topography from development impacts.
- Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsminorPartner in Low Impact Development ordinance development for Loess Hills region.
- HDR and Schemmer & AssociatesminorConsulting firms hired to assist in developing model Low Impact Development ordinances and Storm Water Best Management Practices Guidance Manual.
- Local Businesses (20+)major2026 LoHi Trek engaged 20+ local businesses including Graceful Grind Coffeehouse, JUGGs BBQ, Livengoodies, Ada J's Steakhouse, Cleo's Homestead, Long Walk Farm, and others providing food, services, and support for the event.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Golden Hills RC&D competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ducks Unlimited: Large conservation nonprofit focused on wetland and grassland habitat. Comparable in delivery model — partnering with NRCS and landowners on habitat programs in Iowa — though at much larger scale and with a waterfowl focus.
- Sand County Foundation: National nonprofit promoting regenerative agriculture and conservation on working lands. Comparable to Golden Hills in bridging farmer-led land stewardship with measurable environmental outcomes and policy advocacy.
- Pheasants Forever: National habitat organization focused on grassland and prairie conservation for wildlife, with strong Iowa chapter presence. Comparable mission, audience (farmers/ranchers), and delivery mechanism (cost-share, technical assistance, regional staff).
- Practical Farmers of Iowa: Iowa-based nonprofit supporting regenerative agriculture, on-farm research, and farmer education. Comparable to Golden Hills in serving the same western Iowa farmer audience with sustainable agriculture programming and field-day events.
- Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Iowa-focused land conservation nonprofit that acquires and manages natural areas. Direct peer — explicitly partners with Golden Hills on LoHi Trek and manages adjacent Loess Hills State Forest properties, sharing the same regional conservation mission and donor base.
- Trees Forever: Iowa-based nonprofit focused on tree planting, urban forestry, and watershed restoration. Comparable in geography (Iowa), audience (rural communities and landowners), and educational programming model.
- The Nature Conservancy in Iowa: Global conservation nonprofit with active Iowa operations. Direct peer — actively sponsors Golden Hills' LoHi Trek and shares focus on Loess Hills protection, prairie restoration, and landowner partnership programs.
Others
- Land Trust Alliance: National membership association supporting land trusts and conservation nonprofits. Not a direct operational peer but the umbrella/infrastructure organization relevant to Golden Hills' community-led conservation model.
Broad incumbents
- National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation organization. Functions as both a program partner (Audubon Conservation Ranching) and broader incumbent in the same conservation space, offering greater geographic and programmatic scope.
Regional players
- Iowa Environmental Council: Iowa-wide environmental policy and advocacy coalition. Comparable in Iowa focus and stakeholder breadth, but primarily engages through policy advocacy rather than on-the-ground land stewardship like Golden Hills.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Golden Hills RC&D social profiles
Digital presenceGolden Hills RC&D financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Golden Hills RC&D leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Golden Hills RC&D funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Golden Hills RC&D M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Golden Hills RC&D
What does Golden Hills RC&D do?
Golden Hills RC&D is a community-led nonprofit organization that develops and delivers conservation, community, and cultural programs in rural western Iowa's Loess Hills ecoregion. Its offerings span land stewardship (prairie seed harvest, native oak project, prairie strips, regenerative agriculture), water resources (streambank stabilization through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program with NRCS, Hungry Canyons Alliance gully work), outdoor recreation (annual LoHi Trek hiking event, trails coordination), and educational programs (Iowa Master Conservationist course, workshops). It also sells branded merchandise (postcards, prints, bison shirts) as fundraising tools.
Is Golden Hills RC&D a public or private company?
Golden Hills RC&D is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Golden Hills RC&D founded?
Golden Hills RC&D was founded in 1981. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Golden Hills RC&D based?
Golden Hills RC&D is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Golden Hills RC&D make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Grants and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are donations, merchandise Sales and program Fees.
Who are Golden Hills RC&D's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ducks Unlimited, Sand County Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Trees Forever and The Nature Conservancy in Iowa. Land Trust Alliance is listed as an others. National Audubon Society is listed as a broad incumbent. Iowa Environmental Council is listed as a regional player.
Does Golden Hills RC&D have an API?
No public API is recorded for Golden Hills RC&D.
What industry is Golden Hills RC&D in?
Golden Hills RC&D's product category is Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAF, Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts). Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 700.