Friends of Land Between the Lakes

What Friends of Land Between the Lakes does

Friends of Land Between the Lakes (legal entity: Land Between The Lakes Association, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as the official private partner of the US Forest Service for the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, a 170,000-acre peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in western Kentucky and Tennessee. The organization delivers environmental education, cultural heritage preservation, and enhanced outdoor recreation through four anchor attractions: The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm (a living history museum with 16 authentic log structures and pre-Civil War interpreters), the Woodlands Nature Station (a wildlife education center housing rescued native species including critically endangered red wolves and bald eagles), the Elk and Bison Prairie (a 700-acre drive-through wildlife sanctuary), and the Golden Pond Planetarium (an astronomy center with a 4K UHD SkyExplorer projection system on a 40-foot dome). Supporting infrastructure includes over 100 miles of trails, 200 miles of scenic roads, multiple developed and dispersed campgrounds, a 100-mile OHV area at Turkey Bay, and the Brandon Spring Group Center with 128 overnight beds.

Name

Friends of Land Between the Lakes

Legal name

Land Between The Lakes Association, Inc.

Website

https://friendsoflbl.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The organization monetizes this portfolio through a diversified mix: attraction admissions ($5-$7 per visit), six-tier corporate memberships ($250-$10,000+ annually), individual/household memberships ($50-$500 annually), gift shop sales across three retail locations, camping and OHV permit fees ($12/night; $100 annual OHV permit), educational program fees, and tax-deductible donations processed through Philantro. The customer base spans 1.4 million annual recreation-area visitors, K-12 public school groups within a 100-mile radius, 20+ corporate sponsors (including HDR, Kentucky Farm Bureau, First Bank, and Toyota of Murray), and volunteer organizations contributing 55,000 service hours over five years. Operations are supported by approximately 15-20 staff led by Executive Director Elaine Jackson, with a Board of Trustees chaired by Burneda Koenig, and a network of technology integrations including UseDirect for campground reservations and POINT for volunteer management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature preserve and environmental education services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), National/State Park Campgrounds & Public Campgrounds (THAMAJAI), Guided Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (Sanctuary/Reserve-Based) (THAAAFAF)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Living history farm
• Wildlife conservation
• Outdoor recreation
• Nonprofit nature preserve

Headquarters

HQ city

Cannon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues ranging from $50 for individual/household to $10,000+ for corporate diamond sponsors. Provides benefits including gift shop discounts, newsletters, and event invitations.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting specific initiatives including Between the Rivers Cemetery and Heritage, Planetarium Improvement, School Grant Program, and general organizational needs.
3. Gift Shop Sales: Revenue from gift shops at Woodlands Nature Station, Golden Pond Visitor Center, and The Homeplace selling books, apparel, toys, and nature-themed merchandise. Proceeds support educational messaging and programs.
4. Attraction Admissions: Entry fees for attractions including The Homeplace ($7 adults), Elk and Bison Prairie ($5 per automobile), Golden Pond Planetarium ($7 adults, $4.50 youth), and camping fees at various campgrounds.
5. Educational Programs: Fees for school field trip programs, outreach programs, and overnight facility rentals at Brandon Spring Group Center with 128 beds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Friends of Land Between the Lakes operates four main visitor attractions (a pre-Civil War living history farm, a wildlife nature station, a drive-through elk and bison prairie, and a 4K planetarium) plus campgrounds, trail systems, and educational programs on a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area, generating revenue through admissions, memberships, donations, gift shop sales, and overnight facility rentals.

Product overview

Friends of Land Between the Lakes is a non-profit partner organization that operates the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in partnership with the US Forest Service. The organization offers a diversified portfolio of attractions and services centered on environmental education, cultural history, and outdoor recreation. Core attractions include four primary visitor destinations: The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm (living history museum), Woodlands Nature Station (wildlife education with rescued native animals), Elk and Bison Prairie (700-acre wildlife sanctuary), and Golden Pond Planetarium (astronomy center with 4K projection). Supporting recreational services encompass developed and basic camping facilities, over 100 miles of hiking/biking trails, Turkey Bay OHV area (100 miles of off-highway trails), and equestrian facilities at Wranglers Campground. Educational programming includes school field trips, a grant program for public schools, virtual resources, and overnight experiences at Brandon Spring Group Center. The organization also operates volunteer programs, membership tiers (individual and corporate), and retail gift shops. The portfolio functions as an integrated nature destination where visitors engage in outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, historical education, and environmental learning across 170,000 acres receiving 1.4 million annual visitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm A living history museum featuring a two-generation pre-Civil War farm with 16 authentic log structures, heritage livestock breeds, and heirloom plants. Visitors experience 1850s farm life through interpreters in period clothing performing daily chores and activities. Open to individual visitors, families, and school groups.
• Woodlands Nature Station Wildlife and environmental education hub featuring rescued native wildlife including bobcats, critically endangered red wolves, bald eagles, owls, coyotes, and venomous snakes. Offers daily programming, guided tours, butterfly gardens, and hummingbird habitats. Targeted at families, school groups, and individual visitors.
• Elk and Bison Prairie A 700-acre living sanctuary where American Bison and Elk roam free along a 3.5-mile scenic drive loop. Year-round wildlife viewing includes wild turkeys, birds, butterflies, and prairie mammals. Open to individual visitors and families driving personal vehicles or buses.
• Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory Astronomy and earth science center featuring a 4K UHD SkyExplorer Digital projection system on a 40-foot dome. Offers planetarium shows, laser light shows, and stargazing events with a 16-inch telescope at the Observatory. Open to individual visitors, families, and school groups.
• Developed Campgrounds Full-service camping with amenities including RV utilities, showers, washers/dryers, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Four campgrounds include Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry, Piney, and Wranglers (equestrian-focused). Targeted at families, RV users, and equestrian visitors.
• Basic and Dispersed Camping Rustic camping options with minimal amenities including vault toilets, boat ramps, and defined or open-area campsites. Includes 11 self-service campgrounds and 5 basic camping facilities. Targeted at budget-conscious outdoor recreation visitors.
• Hiking and Biking Trails Over 100 miles of trails including Canal Loop Trail (11-mile mountain biking), Central Hardwoods Scenic Trail (11 miles), Energy Lake Trail (4.6 miles), Fort Henry Trail System (~30 miles), and North/South Trail (58 miles total), plus 200 miles of scenic roads. Available to individual visitors and families.
• Turkey Bay OHV Area 100 miles of designated off-highway vehicle trails with primary (yellow), secondary (orange), and tertiary (blue) marked routes plus challenge areas. Includes camping, self-registration, and annual ($100) or daily ($20) permits. Targeted at OHV recreation visitors.
• Educational Programs for Schools School field trip programs at all attractions including Life on the Farm, Backyard Safari, Nature Hikes, Pond Prowl, Stream Study, Orienteering, and planetarium shows. Correlated to Kentucky and Tennessee state educational standards. Targeted at K-12 public school classes and teachers.
• School Field Trip Grant Program Funding assistance for public school K-12 classes to visit Land Between The Lakes, covering onsite program fees and residential expenses at Brandon Springs Group Camp. Applications accepted annually with July 31 deadline. Targeted at qualifying public schools within approximately 100 miles of the recreation area.
• Virtual Education Resources Web-based educational modules including Homeplace interactive maps, history timelines, farm animal resources, homeschool packets, and planetarium videos. Available for classroom and homeschool use at no additional cost to educators.
• Brandon Spring Group Center Overnight facility with 128 beds, cafeteria, meeting rooms, and recreational activities. Hosts 2-, 3-, or 4-day school trips with discounted rates available. Professional staff assist with programming. Targeted at K-12 school groups, youth organizations, and retreat groups.
• Volunteer Programs Volunteer opportunities at all attractions including Homeplace 1850s, Nature Station, Elk & Bison Prairie Bugle Corps, Shoreline Cleanup, Alternative Break for college groups, and Photography volunteers. Over 55,000 hours of service in five years valued at $900,000+. Targeted at individuals, college groups, and community organizations.
• Household/Individual Membership Annual memberships starting at $50 with tiers: Bluebird ($50), Red Wolf ($100), Bison ($200), All Seasons ($365), Legacy ($500). Benefits include gift shop discounts, quarterly newsletter, and member-only events. Targeted at individual supporters and households.
• Corporate Membership and Sponsorship Business sponsorships with tiers: Bronze ($250), Silver ($500), Gold ($1,000), Platinum ($2,500), Diamond ($5,000), and Visionary ($10,000+). Includes recognition, complimentary tickets, VIP passes, and website visibility. Targeted at companies seeking local brand visibility and corporate social responsibility alignment.
• Gift Shops Gift shops at Woodlands Nature Station, Golden Pond Visitor Center, and The Homeplace offering bird identification books, history and star viewing materials, quilts, telescopes, and plush animals. Revenue supports educational messaging and the Field Trip Grant Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.4 million annual visitors to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of Land Between the Lakes operates as the official non-profit partner of the US Forest Service for the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The organization works with the managing agency to provide program services, funds development, and volunteer support for the 170,000-acre recreation area.
• West Kentucky Amateur AstronomersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers group to host Star Party night sky viewing events at the Golden Pond Planetarium Observatory on select Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Rocking U Riding StablesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides guided trail rides at Wranglers Campground, offering 45 and 90-minute horseback rides April through October.
• HDRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Hopkinsville Water EnvironmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Kentucky Farm BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Pennyri Rural ElectricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Hopson ParrisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• First BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Toyota of MurrayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Purity ZincminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website
• Cadiz-EDCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor displayed on website - economic development corporation from Cadiz, KY
• Murray State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearby college town 25 miles from LBL; referenced as resource for students and community

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Student Conservation Association: Non-profit providing volunteer service and conservation corps programs in national parks and public lands. Comparable volunteer pipeline and alternative-break college programs that feed Friends of LBL's 55,000-hour volunteer base.
• Yellowstone Forever: Official non-profit partner of Yellowstone National Park, operating education, fundraising, and retail programs. Highly comparable in mission, partnership structure with the National Park Service, and visitor-facing programming.
• National Park Trust: Non-profit focused on preserving national parklands and funding field trips for underserved youth. Comparable federal-park focus, educational programming, and grant-funded K-12 outreach similar to LBL's School Field Trip Grant Program.
• Rocky Mountain Conservancy: Non-profit partner supporting Rocky Mountain National Park through education, volunteer, and membership programs. Directly analogous operating model with federal-agency partnership, membership tiers, and field trip programs.
• Friends of the Smokies: Non-profit partner that raises funds and provides volunteers and programming for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Closely mirrors Friends of LBL's structure as an official partner to a federal land management agency delivering education, conservation, and visitor services.

Broad incumbents

• National Parks Conservation Association: Independent non-profit advocating for and supporting the National Park System. Comparable mission around national park stewardship, though primarily advocacy-focused rather than site-based programming.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Established outdoor recreation and conservation organization offering hiking, camping, and education programs across the Northeast. Broader geographic footprint and longer history, but comparable mix of outdoor education, lodging, and volunteer engagement.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation non-profit managing preserves and running education programs. Overlaps with Friends of LBL on land stewardship and education, but operates at much larger scale across many geographies.
• National Wildlife Federation: Large wildlife conservation and education organization with nature-based programming and certified wildlife habitats. Overlaps with Friends of LBL on wildlife education but operates nationally rather than at a single site.
• Sierra Club Foundation: Environmental non-profit supporting outdoor recreation and conservation advocacy and programming. Comparable environmental education and outdoor engagement mission, though broader in scope than a single recreation area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5W_pHwj91NiPzXx783gBGg
• Facebookfacebook.com/FriendsofLandBetweenTheLakes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/land-between-the-lakes-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles28 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 Friends of Land Between the Lakes