Fenner Nature Center

What Fenner Nature Center does

Fenner Nature Center, operated by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Fenner Conservancy, is a 134-acre environmental education facility located at 2020 East Mount Hope Avenue in Lansing, Michigan, featuring over four miles of publicly accessible trails, glacial eskers, maple groves, native prairie, ponds, and the Monarch House research structure. Founded in 1961 and now managed by Fenner Conservancy, the organization delivers nature-based education and programming across four major verticals: (1) early childhood education via Fenner Nature Preschool at two locations (Maple Grove and Sycamore Creek) using a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum; (2) youth summer camps including the K-5 Nature Day Camp and the newly launched 2026 Adventure Camp for grades 6-8 offering kayaking and rock climbing with ACA-certified instructors; (3) public programs and group programs including school field trips, scout programs, and birthday parties; and (4) facility rentals and full-service weddings using the Davis Nature Pavilion, Maple Grove Pavilion, Group Campground, and Visitor Center Lower Level.

Revenue is diversified across seven streams: annual memberships ($25-$1,000+ tiers with escalating discount benefits), camp registrations ($325-$995 per camper), public program fees ($0-$10 per participant), event rentals ($80-$130/hour or $110-$160/day), symbolic animal adoptions ($20-$100 tiers), tax-deductible donations including The Davis Patio personalized brick purchases, and merchandise sales through the Explore Store. Distribution occurs through walk-in visits (free park admission with suggested $2/$1 donations), the UltraCamp platform for camp registration, PayPal-powered online checkout, and direct-inquiry event rentals. The organization's go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, anchored by four annual festivals (Maple Syrup Festival, Apple Butter Festival, Earth Day Extravaganza, World Migratory Bird Day) plus volunteer stewardship days and word-of-mouth referrals rather than paid acquisition.

The organization is governed by a 12-person Board of Directors (President Rachel Swedburg, Vice President Karyn Darnton, Treasurer Andrew Hagman, Secretary Carrie Wicker, and eight additional members) and led by an 8-person staff headed by Executive Director Gabriel Biber (since 2024), with Education Director Samuel Ansaldi and Preschool Director Abigail Matthiesen overseeing program verticals. Core technology is limited to standard website, email, social media, and calendar-export infrastructure with PayPal as payment processor and UltraCamp as the third-party camp registration platform. Strategic partnerships include Jackson as 2026 Events Sponsor, Consumers Energy, Monarch Joint Venture, Monarch Conservation Science Partnership, the Giddings Family Trust, MSUFCU, and Emergent BioSolutions.

Name

Fenner Nature Center

Legal name

Fenner Conservancy

Website

https://mynaturecenter.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fenner Nature Center is a 134-acre environmental education nonprofit in Lansing, Michigan, operating preschool, summer camps, public programs, venue rentals, and conservation initiatives to serve families, schools, and community members through diversified membership, fee, and donation revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats (THAGAOAE), Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG), Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests) (THAAAHAJ)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Nature preserve programs
• Summer day camps
• Nature preschool
• Outdoor event venues

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Individual $30, Senior $25, Student $25, Family $45, Grand Family $60, and supporter tiers up to President's Club $1,000+) providing recurring revenue with benefits including discounts, early registration, and newsletter access.
2. Summer Camp Registration: Nature Day Camp (K-5th grade) at $325 for members/$350 for non-members, and Adventure Camp (6-8th grade) at $945 members/$995 non-members, with aftercare available for $50. 50% deposit required at registration.
3. Public Program Fees: Environmental education programs priced at $10 for general admission and $7 for members, with some free programs available. Includes naturalist-led hikes, workshops, and specialty programs.
4. Event Rentals: Venue rental revenue from Davis Nature Pavilion ($130/hour), Maple Grove Pavilion ($110/day), Group Campground ($110/3hrs minimum), and Visitor Center Lower Level ($80/hour). Also includes wedding ceremony and reception packages.
5. Animal Adoption: Symbolic animal adoption program with three tiers: Habitat Helper ($20), Nature Guardian ($50), and Wildlife Champion ($100), including certificates, photos, meet-and-greets, and animal encounter experiences.
6. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations supporting conservation, education, and stewardship programs. Includes The Davis Patio personalized brick purchases, general fund contributions, and scholarship support.
7. Merchandise Sales: Explore Store selling nature-inspired gifts, Fenner apparel, local products, stickers, apparel, and seasonal items like maple syrup products and apple butter. Members receive 10% discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fenner Nature Center, operated by the nonprofit Fenner Conservancy, delivers environmental education programs, summer camps, and a nature-based preschool on a 134-acre urban nature preserve in Lansing, Michigan. The center also operates a venue rental business for weddings and events, signature seasonal festivals, an animal ambassador adoption program, and a merchandise store. Core offerings span youth and family nature experiences, group/school programs, membership programs, and community stewardship initiatives.

Product overview

Fenner Nature Center, operated by the nonprofit Fenner Conservancy, offers a comprehensive suite of environmental education and community programs across its 134-acre nature preserve in Lansing, Michigan. The organization operates a multi-layered program portfolio consisting of: core educational programs including Nature Day Camp (K-5) and the new Adventure Camp (grades 6-8) for summer camping; Fenner Nature Preschool at Maple Grove and Sycamore Creek locations for early childhood education; Public Programs featuring naturalist-led nature walks, workshops, and seasonal activities; and Group Programs for schools, scouts, and birthday parties. Venue and event services include rentals of the Davis Nature Pavilion, Maple Grove Pavilion, Group Campground, and Visitor Center Lower Level, plus full-service Wedding Packages. The organization runs signature annual festivals including Maple Syrup Festival, Apple Butter Festival, and Earth Day Extravaganza. Ancillary offerings include Animal Ambassador Adoption, Membership Programs at multiple tiers, Volunteer Programs with stewardship and event roles, and an Explore Store for mission-supporting merchandise. The preserve itself features over 4 miles of trails, the Monarch House research structure, and outdoor amenities like the Playscape. The organization uses UltraCamp for camp registration and PayPal for all e-commerce transactions including donations, memberships, and store purchases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nature Day Camp Summer day camp for children completing K-5th grade offering environmental education through themed week-long programs. Operates Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with optional aftercare until 5:30 p.m. Members pay $325; non-members $350; aftercare $50 additional.
• Adventure Camp Outdoor recreation summer camp for campers completing 6th-8th grade featuring kayaking and rock climbing courses with ACA certified instructors. Members pay $945; non-members $995; scholarships available up to 50% (up to $500 per family).
• Fenner Nature Preschool Nature-based preschool program for ages 3-5 inspired by Reggio Emilia philosophy connecting early learners to nature through exploration, play, and discovery. Offered at Maple Grove and Sycamore Creek locations with play-based, hands-on curriculum.
• Public Programs Environmental education programs for the general public including naturalist-led hikes, workshops, and specialty programs such as Milkweed and Monarchs, Skull ID Workshop, Guided Bird Walks, Owl Prowl, and Animal Track Hikes. Priced at $10 general admission, $7 for members; some programs are free.
• Event Rentals Venue rental services for events including Davis Nature Pavilion ($130/hour, capacity 100), Maple Grove Pavilion ($110/day, capacity 30), Group Campground ($110 for 3 hours minimum), and Visitor Center Lower Level ($80/hour). Includes tables, chairs, and amenities.
• Wedding Packages Full-service wedding venue packages including ceremony and reception options at multiple outdoor venues, featuring the Outdoor Chapel, prairie photography areas, and customizable catering and setup options.
• Group Programs Environmental education programs for organized groups including School Programs (curriculum-aligned field trips), Scout Programs (badge work), Birthday Parties (animal encounters and hands-on activities), and Team Building programs.
• Animal Ambassador Adoption Symbolic animal adoption program supporting the care of Fenner's resident animal ambassadors including turtles, snakes, toads, frogs, tarantula, rat, and pigeon. Adoption tiers include Habitat Helper ($20), Nature Guardian ($50 with Meet & Greet), and Wildlife Champion ($100 with Animal Encounter).
• Membership Programs Annual membership program with nine tiers ranging from $25 (Senior/Student) to $1,000+ (President's Club). Benefits include discounted programs, early camp registration, store discounts, newsletter, voting rights, and rental discounts ranging from 10% to 25%.
• Maple Syrup Festival Annual spring festival celebrating Michigan's maple sugaring season featuring pancake breakfast fundraiser, hands-on maple sugaring demonstrations, tree tapping activities, and traditional and modern boiling techniques. Draws up to 3,000 visitors over the weekend.
• Apple Butter Festival Annual fall festival celebrating apple butter making traditions with heritage activity demonstrations, live music, vendors, food, apple butter sales, pumpkin painting, and crosscut saw demonstrations.
• Earth Day Extravaganza Annual spring event celebrating Earth Day with environmental activities, conservation education, and community engagement, part of April programming alongside Stewardship Days.
• Explore Store Online retail store selling nature-inspired gifts, Fenner apparel, local products, stickers, Michigan-made maple syrup products, apple butter, and seasonal items. Members receive 10% discount.
• Trail System and Outdoor Spaces Over 4 miles of publicly accessible trails featuring rolling glacial eskers, maple groves, prairie, ponds, overlooks, Pollinator Garden, Monarch House, Sugarbush, Story Trail, Sensory Trail, Sustainability House, and Playscape. Snowshoe rentals available; park open daily 8 a.m. to dusk.
• Monarch House Dedicated monarch butterfly research structure featuring ongoing conservation work in partnership with Monarch Joint Venture and Monarch Conservation Science Partnership, including monarch tagging and population monitoring activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Connects thousands of people to nature each year through festivals, programs, and daily access
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• JacksoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Jackson serves as the 2026 Events Sponsor, providing generous support that enables year-round work including outdoor festivals, school field trips, early childhood education, and environmental stewardship. Their sponsorship helps create welcoming experiences connecting people to nature.
• Consumers EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConsumers Energy serves as Trailblazer Sponsor for Maple Syrup Festival. Their volunteers have also helped with landscaping and enhancements for the Fenner Nature Playscape opening.
• Monarch Joint VenturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to create the Monarch House structure for monarch butterfly research and conservation. The partnership addresses declining monarch butterfly populations through urban park conservation efforts.
• Monarch Conservation Science PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for monarch butterfly conservation through the Monarch House research initiative, demonstrating urban parks' conservation impact.
• MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Roots Sponsor for Maple Syrup Festival, supporting this community celebration of spring and maple sugaring.
• Emergent BioSolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerStewardship Sponsor for Maple Syrup Festival, supporting conservation and education efforts.
• Dean TransportationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-Kind Sponsor for Maple Syrup Festival, providing transportation support for the event.
• Choose LansingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting the Maple Syrup Festival and local community events.
• Michigan Bluebird SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation Kids camp partners with organizations like the Michigan Bluebird Society for hands-on conservation education.
• Michigan Vernal Pool PatrolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation Kids camp partners with Michigan Vernal Pool Patrol for environmental science education.
• Monarch WatchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation Kids camp partners with Monarch Watch for monarch butterfly conservation education.
• American Canoe Association (ACA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationKayaking Adventure Camp uses ACA certified instructors for paddling technique, safety, and mindset training, with skills certification equivalency.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chippewa Nature Center: Midland, Michigan nature center operating 1,500+ acres with trails, summer camps, school field trips, festivals, and venue rentals. Strongest direct competitor with overlapping mission, programs, and Michigan regional audience.
• Blandford Nature Center: Michigan-based urban nature center offering trails, summer camps, school programs, and festivals on a similar scale. Directly comparable operating model in environmental education with overlapping program portfolio (day camps, public programs, venue rentals).
• Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway: Holland, Michigan nature center with trails, summer camps, school programs, and wildlife education. Similar community-based nonprofit structure with comparable programming mix and Michigan regional audience.
• Matthaei Botanical Gardens: Ann Arbor nature preserve offering trails, educational programs, summer camps, and community events. Comparable nonprofit preserve model with overlapping program categories though stronger botanical/horticulture focus.
• Howell Nature Center: Michigan wildlife-focused nature center with animal ambassadors, summer camps, and educational programs. Comparable niche overlap with Fenner's live animal collection and environmental education programming.

Regional players

• Cincinnati Nature Center: Midwest regional nature center with trails, summer camps, school programs, and member-supported preserve model. Comparable operating structure and program mix but serves the greater Cincinnati region rather than Michigan.
• W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary: Michigan bird sanctuary operated by Michigan State University offering trails, wildlife programs, and educational experiences. Overlaps with Fenner's conservation and wildlife ambassador programming, though MSU affiliation differentiates.
• North Branch Nature Center: Vermont nonprofit nature center offering trails, environmental education programs, summer camps, and community events. Comparable member-supported preserve model with similar programming breadth, though serving New England geography.

Broad incumbents

• The Morton Arboretum: Large-scale Chicago-area arboretum with trails, educational programs, summer camps, research, and venue rentals. Operates at significantly greater scale with broader portfolio but overlapping program categories in nature education and outdoor recreation.
• The Nature Conservancy - Michigan Chapter: Large national conservation organization with Michigan chapter focused on land protection, conservation science, and education. Comparable conservation mission and stewardship programming but operates at vastly greater scale and primarily as a land trust rather than visitor-focused center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FennerNature
• Facebookfacebook.com/fennernaturecenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/fennernature
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fenner-nature-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Fenner Nature Center