Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE)

What Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) does

The Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) is a Maryland-based non-profit organization founded in 2016 that provides nature-based education resources, teacher training, and certification programs primarily to K-12 schools, preschools, individual educators, and community members in the Mid-Atlantic region. The organization operates from Glen Arm, MD with a team of approximately six employees and runs community-based programs including the Notchcliff Nature Programs and a Nature Play Space at the Maryland State Fair.

ANBE's product portfolio spans three delivery modes: digital learning (free webinars, online courses, and self-paced courses hosted on a Wild Apricot-powered membership platform), live in-person training events (Wilderness First Aid & CPR certification, the Back to Nature School Retreat, Autumn Reset, Winter Solstice Outdoor Teacher Retreat, and the Sunshine & Snowbirds New Year Retreat), and school-facing services (Custom Professional Development, the SOLE Program, Collaborative Training, Nature Play Space design and consultation, and Outdoor Preschool Licensing support in Maryland). A Teacher Certification program offers formal credentials in nature-based and outdoor education methodologies.

The organization's business model is a diversified non-profit revenue mix: membership dues, course and certification fees, retreat ticket sales, custom professional development contracts with schools, donations and sponsorships, an annual Night for Nature fundraiser, scholarships funded externally, and merchandise sales through an online store. Geographic scope is concentrated in Maryland with select regional and domestic U.S. event presence, and no international operations. No AI, proprietary software platforms, patents, or external funding rounds were disclosed.

Name

Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE)

Legal name

Association for Nature-Based Education

Website

https://erafans.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) is a Maryland-based non-profit founded in 2016 that delivers nature-based curriculum, teacher certification, professional development, and community outdoor programs to K-12 schools, preschools, individual educators, and families across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature-Based Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD), Outdoor / Nature-Based Childcare Centers (EDACAAAO), Outdoor / Nature-Based Nursery & Forest Playgroups (EDACACAH), Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG), Certification & Training Providers (Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Guide Training) (THAAAOAF)

Keywords

• Nature-based education
• Teacher certification
• Professional development
• Outdoor learning
• Community programs

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ANBE provides nature-based education services including online and live teacher training, teacher certification, custom professional development for schools, the SOLE (Self Organized Learning Environment) program, Nature Play Spaces design and consultation, and community-based outdoor learning programs such as Notchcliff Nature Programs and Outdoor Preschool Licensing support in Maryland. The organization's offerings are delivered through self-paced online courses, live retreats, in-person training, and community engagement events.

Product overview

The Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) offers a diverse portfolio of education and community programs centered on nature-based learning. The organization provides a comprehensive ecosystem of offerings including online learning platforms (free webinars, online courses, self-paced courses), live teacher training events (Wilderness First Aid, school retreats, seasonal retreats), and professional development services (custom PD, SOLE Program, collaborative training). ANBE also operates community programs through Notchcliff Nature Programs, supports outdoor preschool licensing in Maryland, and provides nature play space design services. The organization sustains its mission through membership programs, an annual Night for Nature fundraiser, scholarships, and a merchandise store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Learning
• Live Teacher Training
• Teacher Certification
• SOLE Program
• Custom Professional Development
• Nature Play Spaces
• Collaborative Training
• Consultation
• Notchcliff Nature Programs
• Outdoor Preschool Licensing in MD
• Membership

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Tamarack Nature Center: Minnesota-based nature center offering school programs, camps, and educator training; comparable in offering mix to ANBE but serves a different geography (Upper Midwest vs. Mid-Atlantic).

Emerging players

• Taking It Outside: Provides outdoor learning professional development and coaching for educators; an emerging niche competitor with similar teacher-training focus but smaller scale than ANBE.

Direct peers

• NatureBridge: National environmental science education non-profit operating multi-day field programs and educator training — directly comparable to ANBE's field-based nature education and outdoor educator certification model.
• Natural Start Alliance: Coalition hosted by the North American Association for Environmental Education focused on advancing high-quality nature-based early childhood education. Directly comparable to ANBE's outdoor preschool licensing and nature-based educator mission.
• Children & Nature Network: Non-profit movement builder that connects children, families, and communities to nature through research, resources, and a global network — overlapping with ANBE's nature-based educator resources and community programs.
• IslandWood: Environmental education organization offering school overnight programs, teacher training, and graduate courses in nature-based learning — closely comparable to ANBE's live teacher training, retreats, and certification offerings.
• Forest School Foundation: Non-profit promoting the forest school model in North America through training, mentorship, and community — directly comparable to ANBE's nature-based teacher certification and early childhood outdoor learning programs.
• Earth Native Wilderness School: Nature education organization offering wilderness skills courses, school programs, and teacher training; closely comparable to ANBE's Wilderness First Aid certification and nature-based educator workshops.
• The Outdoor Classroom Project: Provides outdoor classroom curriculum and resources for schools and educators; directly comparable to ANBE's Custom Professional Development, Nature Play Spaces, and SOLE-style collaborative learning programs.

Broad incumbents

• National Audubon Society: Large national nature/conservation organization with educator resources, school programs, and curriculum; broader portfolio than ANBE but overlaps in nature-based educator training and community programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturebasededucation

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 Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE)