Asbury Woods

What Asbury Woods does

Asbury Woods is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nature center and environmental education organization headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania. It operates across 234 acres of preserved land — including wetlands, forests, fields, streams, and the 7,800-square-foot Andrew J. Conner Nature Center — and maintains over five miles of publicly accessible trails. The organization serves an annual audience of roughly 88,000 to 100,000 visitors, including 13,000+ school children from Erie County districts through standards-aligned environmental education programs (Pre-K through 8th grade), plus families, scouts, summer campers, birthday party groups, and corporate team-building clients.

Its core offerings combine the Nature Center (with 27 live animals, a bee colony observation hive, classrooms, and the Squeaky Frog gift shop) with a sugar shack for maple syrup production, a low ropes course for team building, snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals, and signature events such as the Maple Festival, Wine and Dine in the Woods, and Monday Music in the Woods. Programming extends beyond the preserve through the Nature in Your Neighborhood mobile outreach initiative.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: program and service fees (school visits at $7-$9/student, outreach at $75+/hour, birthday parties, facility rentals, experience packages priced $100-$300), donations and memberships (Supporting Donor tiers from $50 to the $1,000+ Grandfather Tree Society and Sustainer Circle monthly giving), corporate sponsorships (rotating presenting sponsors for each annual theme year), grant funding (Pennsylvania EITC program, Erie Community Foundation, Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority), gift shop sales, planned giving and an endowment (valued at $283,317 as of August 2024 with a $1.5M target by 2030), and special event ticket sales. The organization's leadership is headed by Executive Director Sarah Bennett, with Patrick Miller as Director of Development and Marketing and Emma Mader as Director of Education. The volunteer base contributed 285 individuals and 7,747+ hours in fiscal year 2023.

Name

Asbury Woods

Legal name

Asbury Woods Partnership, Inc.

Website

https://asburywoods.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Asbury Woods is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 234-acre nature preserve and Nature Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, offering standards-aligned environmental education to 13,000+ school children annually and serving roughly 88,000-100,000 visitors through trails, programs, and signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Center and Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Timberland Conservation & Easement Management (AFAMAKAI)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Nature center operations
• Outdoor recreation services
• School field trips
• Conservation education

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program and Service Fees: Fees charged for educational programs (school visits $7-9/student, outreach $75+/hour), summer camps, birthday parties, experience packages ($100-300), facility rentals, and equipment rentals (cross-country skis, snowshoes)
2. Donations and Memberships: Annual Fund donations, monthly Sustainer Circle program ($10-100/month), Grandfather Tree Society ($1,000+), Supporting Donor program ($50+), Pickets for Play fundraiser, tribute gifts through Celebration Garden
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship of signature events and festivals (Wine and Dine, Maple Festival, Trail Run, Monday Music in the Woods, etc.) providing visibility and recognition for corporate partners; supports educational and community programs
4. Grant Funding: Funding from foundations and government programs including Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, Erie Community Foundation, corporate donors under EITC
5. Gift Shop Sales: Squeaky Frog Gift Shop selling maple products, nature-themed items, educational materials, and gifts; open during Nature Center hours
6. Planned Giving and Endowments: Bequests, estate gifts, Legacy Society memberships; Endowment Fund at Erie Community Foundation valued at $283,317 (as of 8/31/2024)
7. Special Events Revenue: Admission fees and ticket sales for festivals (Maple Festival $6/person, Luminaria $20/person), wine and dine events, and seasonal celebrations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Asbury Woods is a nonprofit nature center operating a 234-acre preserved property in Erie, Pennsylvania, anchored by the Andrew J. Conner Nature Center and over 5 miles of public trails. The organization delivers environmental education programs aligned with PA State Education Standards for school groups (Pre-K through 8th grade), community programs, summer camps, and signature seasonal events such as the Maple Festival and Wine and Dine in the Woods. Additional offerings include facility rentals, birthday parties, a low ropes team-building course, winter equipment rentals, gift experiences, and an on-site gift shop.

Product overview

Asbury Woods is a nonprofit nature center and environmental education organization offering a unified portfolio of programs, facilities, and experiences across 234 acres in Erie, PA. The core offerings center on the Andrew J. Conner Nature Center as the central hub, complemented by over 5 miles of trails for outdoor recreation. Educational programming includes school programs aligned with PA State Standards, community programs for all ages, and summer camps. Signature events include Wine and Dine in the Woods and Maple Festival. Additional offerings include facility rentals, birthday parties, team-building low ropes course, winter recreation equipment rentals, gift experiences, and a retail gift shop. The organization maintains animal exhibits with native species and runs the Trout in the Classroom conservation program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Programs Standards-based environmental education curriculum visits for Pre-K through 8th grade aligned with PA State Education Standards. Available on-site at Asbury Woods ($7-9/student) or as outreach delivered at schools ($75/hour per educator). Discounts available to qualifying Erie County public schools through the Pennsylvania EITC program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves more than 13,000 school children annually from Erie County schools
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Konzel ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor for 2026 Year of Exploration theme and Adventure Passport program.
• FirstEnergy FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Presenting sponsor for 2025 Year of Wildlife annual theme.
• Pennsylvania Fish & Boat CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Provides trout eggs for Trout in the Classroom program; participates in Fish Field Day events; provides educational materials and guides.
• J. Thomas Tree ServiceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor for 2024 Year of Trees; provides topic experts for programs and helps offer new programs at no cost.
• Millcreek Township Parks and Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Administers Asbury Barn and Asbury Park through lease from Millcreek Township School District; maintains restroom facilities at Asbury Park; contributes to overall greenway and trail network.
• Mercyhurst University (James Wildlife Preserve)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Douglas James donated 40 acres of pastureland to Mercyhurst University in 1993 to create the Jean B. and Douglas James Wildlife Preserve. This land was transferred to Asbury Woods ownership in December 2022, ensuring permanent conservation status and bringing total acreage to 216. Mercyhurst and Asbury Woods collaborate on student projects and research.
• Millcreek Township School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Original steward of Asbury Woods property donated by Otto Behrend; owns Asbury Barn and Asbury Park (leased to Parks & Recreation); represented on board of directors through CFO Aaron O'Toole; school district students utilize property for educational programs.
• Trout Unlimited (Northwest PA Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Trout in the Classroom program and Fish Field Day events; provides fly fishing demonstrations and educational activities.
• PA Sea GrantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in aquatic education programs and Fish Field Day; provides expertise on aquatic invasive species and Great Lakes watershed education.
• Hooked on Books for KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Nature in Your Neighborhood program where each child receives a nature-themed book each week during summer programming.
• Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for injured wildlife found at Asbury Woods; Asbury Woods directs callers to Tamarack (814-763-2574) for wildlife rehabilitation services.
• Great Lakes Fishery CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Fish Field Day events; provides education on aquatic invasive species including sea lamprey.
• Corry State Fish HatcheryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Fish Field Day; brings stocking truck to events to discuss fish care and transportation.
• Bock Insurance AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Monday Music in the Woods concert series.
• UPMC Health PlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented Into the Woods 5 Mile Trail Run event.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tyler Arboretum: A 650+ acre nonprofit arboretum and nature preserve in Delaware County, PA, offering standards-aligned school programs, summer camps, and year-round public programming on preserved land. Directly comparable to Asbury Woods in mission (environmental education + preserved acreage + PA regional nonprofit).
• Blandford Nature Center: A 264-acre nonprofit nature center in Grand Rapids, MI, with live animal exhibits, school programs, summer camps, and free/low-cost public trail access. Closely comparable in scale, programming mix, and mid-size nonprofit nature center model.
• Cincinnati Nature Center: A regional Ohio nonprofit nature center with school programs, summer camps, animal exhibits, and extensive trail systems on preserved acreage. Comparable in mission and core programming pillars (school, camp, trails, exhibits).
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: A Pennsylvania nonprofit raptor sanctuary with preserved acreage, school programs, and visitor center on a similar nonprofit nature-education model. Comparable in PA footprint, nonprofit structure, and emphasis on environmental education.
• Chippewa Nature Center: A 1,500-acre Michigan nonprofit nature center offering free trails, school programs aligned to state standards, summer camps, live animal exhibits, maple syrup production, and year-round signature events. Closely mirrors Asbury Woods' programmatic structure at slightly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Pittsburgh Botanic Garden: A larger Pennsylvania nonprofit botanical garden with school programs, trails, and signature events. Comparable as a PA-based nature/education nonprofit, though at a larger scale and with a botanical rather than wildlife orientation.

Others

• Mercyhurst University (Biology/Environmental Programs): Asbury Woods' named research and land partner in Erie, conducting graduate thesis work (carbon sequestration, Tiny Forests) on Asbury Woods property. Comparable as an educational institution running environmental programs in the same region.

Emerging players

• Cattail Cove Nature Center / Regional PA Nature Centers: Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) member nature centers serving similar audiences with comparable curriculum-aligned school programming. Represents the broader competitive set of mid-size PA environmental education nonprofits.

Regional players

• Presque Isle State Park: A Pennsylvania state park on Lake Erie offering free beaches, trails, and outdoor recreation to Erie-area residents. A free public substitute for Asbury Woods' trail and outdoor recreation offering in the same geography.
• Erie Zoo: A regional zoo in Erie, PA with live animal exhibits and education programming. Competes for family/education outings and discretionary donations in the same Erie market as Asbury Woods, though Asbury Woods differentiates via trails and nature-based curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asburywoodserie
• Facebookfacebook.com/asburywoods
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asburywoods

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Asbury Woods