Amigos de Bolsa Chica

What Amigos de Bolsa Chica does

Amigos de Bolsa Chica is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1976 and based in Huntington Beach, California, dedicated to preserving and restoring the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve—a 1,400+ acre saltwater marsh that is one of the largest remaining along the California coast. The organization's program portfolio spans citizen-science water quality monitoring (FLOW), habitat restoration including nest-site work for endangered California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers, a volunteer Naturalist training program, free guided tours and K-12 field trips aligned with NGSS standards, an annual STEM scholarship, and community trash-cleanup events. It functions as a community-led, volunteer-driven organization supplemented by a small paid staff (Executive Director and Programs Manager) and a Board of Directors led by President John Carter. Revenue is generated through individual donations, foundation grants (notably the Rose Foundation for trash removal and plastic monitoring), nominal program fees ($35 naturalist training), suggested tour donations, and a major endowment contribution ($2.2 million from Meredyth Stern). Its core technology stack is conventional citizen-science tooling—weekly microscopy-based phytoplankton identification, water chemistry assays, and a Squarespace-hosted website—rather than software-as-a-service or AI products; the FLOW dataset of 1,000+ data sheets over 13 years is the organization's most distinctive technical asset and feeds directly into the California Department of Public Health Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program. Distribution is entirely regional (Southern California) and free to end users, with stewardship authority anchored in long-standing relationships with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and the State Lands Commission that resulted from decades of legal advocacy culminating in the state's 1997 purchase of 880 acres.

Name

Amigos de Bolsa Chica

Legal name

Amigos de Bolsa Chica

Website

https://amigosdebolsachica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Amigos de Bolsa Chica is a 50-year-old Huntington Beach, California 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves and restores the 1,400+ acre Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve through volunteer-led citizen science (FLOW), habitat restoration, naturalist training, free educational field trips, and STEM scholarships, funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Environmental Conservation & Wetland Education

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wildlife Viewing & Birdwatching Tours (THAAAEAB)

Keywords

• Wetland conservation
• Citizen science
• Environmental education
• Coastal restoration
• Habitat protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntington Beach

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, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations from individuals to support coastal ecosystem education and protection. Operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
2. Grants: Receives grant funding from foundations such as the Rose Foundation for specific projects like trash removal and plastic pollution monitoring.
3. Scholarship Program: Awards multiple $5,000 scholarships (Bill and Meredyth Stern-Amigos de Bolsa Chica Scholarship) to college-bound high school graduates pursuing STEM majors in eligible school districts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Amigos de Bolsa Chica delivers free in-person and community-based programs that protect, restore, and educate the public about the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Its core offerings include guided wetland tours and bird walks, NGSS-aligned school and scout field trips, a Naturalist Training Program, the FLOW citizen-science water-quality and phytoplankton monitoring program, habitat and nest-site restoration activities, trash cleanup events, the annual Running is for the Birds charity run, and the Stern STEM Scholarship program for local students.

Product overview

Amigos de Bolsa Chica is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization that operates as a unified set of conservation, education, and community engagement programs rather than a commercial product platform. The core offering is the preservation, protection, and restoration of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, with integrated programs including: the FLOW water quality monitoring program (partnered with California Department of Public Health), Restoration Ecology (including nest site restoration for endangered species), Naturalist Training (producing volunteer educators), Guided Tours and Field Trips (educational access), the Stern Scholarship (supporting future STEM students), and community volunteer opportunities. The organization was founded in 1976 and serves the public free of charge, funded by donations and grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FLOW (Follow to Learn about the Oceans and Wetlands): A community-based water quality research program designed to better understand, identify, and respond to sources of pollution. FLOW monitors phytoplankton and water quality through weekly data collection and analysis in partnership with the California Department of Public Health.
• Running is for the Birds
• Bill and Meredyth Stern – Amigos de Bolsa Chica Scholarship

Products and services

• FLOW (Follow to Learn about the Oceans & Wetlands) Community-based citizen science research program that monitors coastal waters through weekly data collection, phytoplankton identification via microscopy, and water chemistry analysis (nitrate, ammonia, phosphates, pH, salinity). Data is submitted to the California Department of Public Health Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program.
• Restoration Ecology Program Habitat restoration program that rehabilitates coastal and aquatic habitats, including nest site restoration for endangered California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers, invasive plant removal, and re-establishment of native dune environments. Includes the $144 million tidal wetland restoration completed in 2006 (the largest coastal wetland restoration ever undertaken in Southern California history).
• Naturalist Training Program Training course that produces certified volunteer Naturalists who lead field trips, tours, and outreach activities. Covers the Reserve's history, ecology, birds, endangered species, plants, fish, restoration, and climate change. Class fee $35 with scholarships available for those with financial need.
• Guided Tours Program Free naturalist-led guided public tours including the monthly Wetland Tour, monthly Bird Walk, and quarterly Nature Hikes (3-5 miles) covering the Reserve's ecological history, birdwatching, endangered species, and restoration. Open to the general public.
• School Field Trips and Educational Programs Free NGSS-aligned field trips for K-12 students and scout groups. Includes Wetland Tours (0.75–1.5 mile options), FLOW Field Trips with microscopy, and Girl Scout badge assistance covering Daisy Eco-Learner, Cadette Eco-Trekker, and Senior Eco-Explorer badges plus citizen science projects. Bus cost assistance up to $700 for qualifying Title 1 schools. Maximum 60 students per trip.
• Nest Site Restoration Program Seasonal habitat restoration program (September through February) that removes invasive plants to restore sandy dune nesting habitat for endangered California Least Terns and threatened Western Snowy Plovers, with third-Saturday volunteer events.
• Bill and Meredyth Stern — Amigos de Bolsa Chica Scholarship Annual multiple $5,000 scholarships awarded to college-bound high school graduates in eligible Orange County districts pursuing STEM majors. Selection is based on academic record, volunteer experience, and financial need.
• Volunteer Programs Community volunteer opportunities including FLOW Fridays (weekly water quality monitoring at the Visitor Center), monthly Trash Cleanups (last Sundays 9:00–10:30 AM), Reserve Watch visitor education, and event support roles for Earth Day and other community activities.
• Running is for the Birds Annual community running event that raises funds for Amigos de Bolsa Chica's conservation and education programs and awareness for bird conservation. Originally held 1978–2006 and successfully revived in 2023.
• The Tern Tide Newsletter Quarterly email newsletter providing updates on the organization's activities, scholarship recipients, volunteer recognition, and conservation achievements for supporters and members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Spearheaded efforts resulting in State of California purchasing 880 acres of Bolsa Chica
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Los Cerritos Wetlands StewardsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on plastic pollution cleanup project to clean up a mile stretch of Bolsa Chica's Full Tidal Basin.
• California Department of Fish & WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe California Department of Fish & Wildlife manages the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on behalf of the State Lands Commission and oversees all restoration and monitoring efforts. They also permit Amigos de Bolsa Chica to collect water samples from the Reserve.
• California Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmigos de Bolsa Chica is one of about 40 groups along California's coast that contribute to the Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program. Weekly water samples are sent to the CA Dept. of Public Health for analysis to improve warnings for shellfish and fish consumption and prevent neurotoxins from getting into the food chain.
• Bolsa Chica State BeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FLOW program takes place at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center, and water samples are collected where the state beach meets the ecological reserve. Amigos also contributes to beach interpretative programs including Junior Rangers, Parks After Dark, and Christmas at the Beach.
• Merkel & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by the State Lands Commission, Merkel & Associates has monitored species and habitats at the Bolsa Chica following the construction of its full-tidal basin for nearly a decade. Assembled by Rachel Woodfield.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Surfrider Foundation: Coastal environmental nonprofit focused on beach and ocean protection. Has previously partnered with Amigos as a co-petitioner in legal action and shares a similar SoCal beach-water-quality advocacy mandate.
• National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation nonprofit that has designated the Bolsa Chica reserve as an Important Birding Area. Comparable as a conservation organization focused on bird habitat protection, citizen science, and environmental education across the U.S.
• The Nature Conservancy (California): Global land and water conservation organization with major California coastal and wetland projects. Comparable mission around habitat protection, restoration, and science-based conservation, though at significantly larger scale.
• Sierra Club (Orange County): National environmental organization with active Orange County chapter. Has been a co-petitioner with Amigos in Bolsa Chica legal actions and shares overlapping conservation and advocacy objectives.

Direct peers

• Orange County Coastkeeper: Orange County water-quality advocacy and education nonprofit. Comparable as a SoCal nonprofit combining water-quality monitoring, community education, and wetland/ocean advocacy in the same geography.
• Heal the Bay: Santa Monica-based nonprofit focused on Southern California coastal water quality, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a regional coastal nonprofit combining citizen science monitoring, education programs, and policy advocacy.
• Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks: Orange County nonprofit focused on preserving open space, natural habitats, and parks. Comparable as a regional conservation and education nonprofit, and has been featured in Amigos' webinar programming.
• Bolsa Chica Land Trust: Local Orange County land trust focused on preservation of the Bolsa Chica mesa and surrounding lands. Directly comparable as a small, locally focused land-conservation organization with overlapping geographic mission.
• Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewards: Southern California nonprofit dedicated to preservation and restoration of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. Directly comparable as a small, volunteer-driven coastal wetland conservancy in the same region with shared clean-up and education programs.

Emerging players

• California State Parks Foundation: Statewide nonprofit supporting California state parks through funding and advocacy. Comparable as a parks and open-space nonprofit with public-facing education programs, though focused on fundraising for state-operated parks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AmigosdeBolsaChica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amigos-bc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 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 Amigos de Bolsa Chica