Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary

What Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary does

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary is a nonprofit environmental education institution headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, operating a 16-acre restored forest and the Stone House Education Center. Founded in 1961, the organization serves schools (Pre-K through 5th grade), families, adults, and scout groups through a portfolio of nature-based programs including summer day camps (Squirrel Scouts, Explorers, Naturalists), school field trips aligned to NJCCCS standards, scout badge workshops, citizen science initiatives (FrogWatch USA, Project FeederWatch, Project Budburst), family campouts, adult workshops, and birthday party rentals at the Stone House. The institution is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat and charter member of the Children and Nature Network, with 150+ documented native wildflower species on the grounds.

The organization runs on a community-led go-to-market model with no dedicated sales infrastructure. Distribution is exclusively on-site at the 324 Forest Drive South facility in Short Hills. Revenue is generated through six material streams: recurring membership fees, program fees (camps, after-school, classes), tax-deductible donations and annual appeal, the annual Beak Week bird-a-thon fundraiser, and Stone House facility rentals. Pricing is publicly disclosed and tiered — summer camp ranges from $350/week (half-day Squirrel Scouts) to $495/week (full-day Explorers and Naturalists), with member discounts of $15–$20 per person on most programs.

Cost structure is light and headcount is small (11 employees), with delivery supplemented by an ecosystem of institutional memberships (ANCA, ANJEE, ACA Camps) and content partnerships (The Nature of Reading Bookshop, One River School of Art and Design, Wildflower City, Happy Heart Yoga Shala). Recent strategic activity has centered on expanding the programming calendar through partnerships and standing up new fundraising vehicles (Beak Week, Sponsor an Animal, Campaign for the Forest).

Name

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary

Legal name

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary

Website

https://hartshornarboretum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary is a nonprofit in Short Hills, NJ, operating a 16-acre restored forest and Stone House Education Center. It serves schools, families, and community members through nature-based programs, summer camps, citizen science, and conservation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education & Nature Preserve

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Forestry (800), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Birding & Wildlife Observation Lodges (THAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Nature preserve services
• Summer camp programs
• Forest conservation programs
• Citizen science programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Short Hills, New Jersey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program providing access to facilities, discounts on programs, and member-exclusive pricing for camps, classes, and events.
2. Program Fees: Fees collected from summer camps, after-school programs, birthday parties, family programs, and adult education classes.
3. Donations and Annual Appeal: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to support conservation and education missions.
4. Beak Week Fundraising: Annual bird-a-thon fundraising event where participants raise funds for the woodland garden and education center.
5. Facility Rental: Stone House Education Center rental for birthday parties and private events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary is a nonprofit historic woodlands garden and environmental education institution operating on a 16-acre restored forest in Short Hills, New Jersey. It delivers nature-based educational programming for all ages, including summer day camps, school and scout field trips, birthday parties, family and adult workshops, and citizen science initiatives such as FrogWatch USA, Project FeederWatch, and Project Budburst. Core operations also include forest habitat conservation and rental of the Stone House Education Center for community events.

Product overview

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum is a historic woodlands garden and educational institution offering a diverse portfolio of nature-based programs and services. The core offerings include Environmental Education Programs integrating arts, sciences, and humanities; Nature Discovery Camp (summer day camp with weekly themed sessions); Citizen Science Programs (FrogWatch, Project FeederWatch, Project Budburst); and Forest Conservation efforts across 16 acres. Additional programs include Birthday Parties at the Stone House Education Center, ArboReaders Book Club, School Programs for Pre-K-5, Scout Programs, Family Programs (including overnight campouts), Adult Programs, and After School Activities. The organization also runs annual events like Beak Week (bird-a-thon fundraiser) and offers a Sponsor an Animal program. These programs are designed for citizens of all ages and integrate hands-on experiences with nature conservation education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nature Discovery Camp Multi-week summer day camp program offering hands-on science, themed story time, crafts, songs, and outdoor experiences for children ages 4 and up. Weekly themed sessions include Habitats, Plants, Animal Jobs, Water Week, and similar nature-focused themes.
• School Programs Field trips and classroom programs for grades Pre-K through 5 that supplement science curriculum and correlate to NJCCCS standards. Designed for local schools seeking hands-on environmental education aligned with state curriculum requirements.
• Scout Programs Guided programs for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts that allow troops to observe biofacts, meet a naturalist, and learn to share the world with wildlife in order to earn nature and environmental badges.
• Birthday Parties Ninety-minute birthday parties for children ages 4 and above held at the Stone House Education Center. Includes access to live animal displays, kitchen facilities, multi-purpose rooms, and outdoor activity space.
• Family Programs Family-oriented nature activities including the Fall Family Campout, featuring camping, games, crafts, animal presentations, and guided night hikes for families with children.
• Adult Programs Educational programs and activities for adults, including workshops, lectures, meditation events, and nature experiences such as Winter Sowing workshops and Among the Birds guided meditation sessions.
• After School Activities Art-making after-school experiences such as the Feathers, Furs, and Scales program, run in partnership with One River School of Art and Design for grades K-3, combining nature-themed curriculum with art instruction.
• Citizen Science Programs Volunteer-based programs including FrogWatch USA, Project FeederWatch, and Project Budburst that enable community members to collect scientific data on local amphibians, birds, and plant phenology for national research databases.
• Stone House Education Center Rental Rental of the Stone House Education Center facility, which includes live animal displays, a kitchen with sink, stove/oven, refrigerator/freezer, counter space, open space for games, two bathrooms, and a coatroom. Available for birthday parties and private events.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wildflower CityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2026Partnership for the Winter Sowing Workshop where Wildflower City experts teach about native plants and cold stratification. Wildflower City provides botanical expertise and instruction.
• The Nature of Reading BookshopcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on the ArboReaders Book Club, a book club specifically designed for nature lovers. The arboretum provides the venue while the bookshop provides book recommendations and sales support. Joint marketing through both organizations' channels.
• One River School of Art and DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver the Feathers, Furs, and Scales Art Making Experience after-school program. One River provides teaching artists and art instruction expertise while the arboretum provides the nature-themed curriculum and venue.
• Happy Heart Yoga ShalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Among the Birds: Breath, Presence, & Guided Meditation' event. Diana from Happy Heart Yoga Shala leads yoga and meditation sessions on arboretum grounds.
• American Nature Center Association (ANCA)minorOthersInstitutional membership organization for nature centers, providing networking, resources, and professional development opportunities.
• Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANJEE)minorOthersProfessional association supporting administrators of nature centers and environmental education facilities.
• American Camp Association (ACA)minorOthersAccrediting body for camps; membership provides access to standards, training, and camp industry resources.
• Children and Nature NetworkminorOthersInternational organization working to connect children, families, and communities to nature; charter member status.
• National Wildlife FederationminorOthersCertified Wildlife Habitat designation for the arboretum's 16-acre forest, indicating proper wildlife-friendly landscaping and conservation practices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Morristown National Historical Park (Sculpture & Nature Programs): Regional park in Northern NJ offering ranger-led nature and environmental education programs to schools and families. Operates with public/federal funding but competes for the same NJ family and school group audience.
• Travlers Rest Arboretum (Rutherford Area): Northern NJ arboretum and historic site with nature education programs, community events, and woodland trails. Comparable in size and educational mission but located in a different NJ sub-market.
• Wissahickon Valley Park / Friends of the Wissahickon: Conservation nonprofit managing trails, restoration, and environmental education in Greater Philadelphia. Comparable mission of urban-adjacent forest stewardship with volunteer-driven programming, but in a different metro market.

Direct peers

• Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary (NJ Audubon): Wildlife sanctuary operated by NJ Audubon in Bernardsville offering trails, environmental education, school programs, and nature-based programming for children and adults. Most directly comparable in mission and programming mix.
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum: Smaller New Jersey arboretum offering environmental education, family programs, summer camps, and community events on a similar suburban footprint. Closely comparable peer in scale, programs (camps, school programs, events), and visitor base.
• Tenafly Nature Center: Bergen County, NJ nonprofit nature center with wildlife exhibits, environmental education, summer camps, and citizen science programs. Closely comparable scale, programs (camps, school programs, family events), and Northern NJ geography.

Broad incumbents

• New Jersey Audubon Society: Statewide nonprofit operating nature centers, sanctuaries, and environmental education programs across New Jersey. Overlaps directly with CHA's bird sanctuary, citizen science, and school programming offerings, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geography.
• The Nature Conservancy - New Jersey Chapter: Larger conservation organization working on land preservation and ecological restoration across NJ. Comparable in mission (woodland conservation, environmental education) but operates state-wide preserves and has vastly greater resources than CHA's 16-acre site.

Others

• Wild Birds Unlimited (Corporate Sponsor Reference): National retail franchise supporting backyard birding and wildlife habitats; current Beak Week sponsor. Not a direct competitor but a customer/supplier ecosystem partner that shares target audience of bird enthusiasts and habitat-focused consumers.
• Children and Nature Network: International nonprofit movement CHA is a charter member of, promoting equitable access to nature. Not a competitor; serves as network/membership organization providing resources, advocacy, and program frameworks for CHA's educational mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cora-hartshorn-arboretum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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