NatureKids BC

What NatureKids BC does

NatureKids BC, legally the Young Naturalists' Club of BC Society, is a registered Canadian charity (CRA # 84961 1926 RR0001) founded in 2000 and headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The organization serves families with children ages 5-12 across British Columbia through a province-wide network of volunteer-led Nature Clubs. Its core offerings include free Explorer Days (in-person nature events), the quarterly NatureWILD magazine, the Passport to Nature tracking program, and the Action Awards progression system (Bronze/Silver/Gold) for members ages 10-12. Supporting programs include Nature for Newcomers, NatureHood, EcoParent, Kids Corner, and structured educational resources such as regional Safari Cards.

The technology stack is non-proprietary: NatureKids BC operates a WordPress-based website, an e-commerce storefront, and a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, alongside email newsletters. The organization leverages third-party citizen science platforms (iNaturalist, eBird, SEEK) rather than building its own digital infrastructure. This reflects the organization's identity as a community-delivery nonprofit rather than a technology company.

The business model is hybrid charity-style funding. Membership fees ($25/year per family) and NatureWILD subscriptions ($20/year for non-members) provide modest recurring revenue, supplemented by one-time merchandise sales (Safari Cards at $4/$30 packs, youth hats at $15, owl drawstring backpacks at $15) and paid internships partially funded through student placement programs. The dominant revenue stream, however, is donations and grants from foundations (Collette Cares Foundation, Port Coquitlam Community Foundation), individual donors, and community funders. Programming is delivered free to families. The go-to-market is community-led: local volunteer club leaders organize events, members refer new families, and the organization distributes through both direct membership signup and a BC-wide physical club network.

Name

NatureKids BC

Legal name

Young Naturalists' Club of BC Society

Website

https://naturekidsbc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NatureKids BC is a 25-year-old registered Canadian charity that runs a province-wide network of volunteer-led Nature Clubs across British Columbia, delivering free outdoor nature programs, the NatureWILD magazine, and educational resources to families with children ages 5-12.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental & Outdoor Education for Children

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD), Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)

Keywords

• Children nature education
• Outdoor youth programs
• Family nature clubs
• Environmental education nonprofit
• Youth wildlife magazines

Headquarters

HQ city

North Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Family memberships at $25/year provide access to Explorer Days, NatureWILD magazine subscription, Passport to Nature program, and Action Awards participation.
2. NatureWILD Magazine Subscriptions: Quarterly magazine subscription sold at $20/year for non-members. Members receive free subscription.
3. Safari Cards and Merchandise Sales: Bird identification cards sold at $4 each or 10-pack for $30. Additional merchandise includes youth hats ($15) and owl drawstring backpacks ($15).
4. Donations and Grants: Registered charity (CRA # 84961 1926 RR0001) accepts donations to support programming. Receives support from funders and donors.
5. Internship Programs: Offers paid internships (e.g., Production & Distribution Intern at $20/hour) partially funded through student placement programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NatureKids BC delivers free, volunteer-led outdoor nature education programs for children ages 5-12 and their families across British Columbia through a province-wide network of Nature Clubs. Its core offerings include Explorer Days (free family nature events), the NatureWILD quarterly magazine subscription, the Action Awards challenge program for older youth, and the Passport to Nature tracking program. The organization supplements this with educational merchandise such as Safari Cards, branded youth hats, and drawstring backpacks, and operates through memberships, donations, and grants as a registered charity.

Product overview

NatureKids BC is a registered charity (CRA # 84961 1926 RR0001), operating as the Young Naturalists' Club of BC Society, that helps children ages 5-12 get outdoors to explore, play, learn about, and take action for nature through an award-winning network of Nature Clubs across BC. The organization's core offerings center on free Explorer Days (family nature events led by volunteers), the quarterly NatureWILD Magazine subscription ($20/year), the Action Awards program for youth ages 10-12, and the Passport to Nature incentive program. Supporting programs include Nature for Newcomers, NatureHood, EcoParent, and educational resources like Kids Corner. The shop sells merchandise (Youth Hats, Owl Drawstring Backpacks) and educational Safari Cards for regional bird and bug identification across BC communities. Membership is free for families; the organization is primarily volunteer-led with paid staff including an Executive Director.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NatureWILD: Quarterly magazine about BC's nature for youth, published by NatureKids BC
• Explorer Days
• Passport to Nature
• Action Awards

Products and services

• Explorer Days Free family nature events hosted by volunteer club leaders and nature mentors in communities across British Columbia, including outdoor activities such as bird watching, hiking, pond exploration, and environmental stewardship for children ages 5-12 and their families.
• NatureWILD Magazine Quarterly printed magazine about British Columbia's nature for youth ages 5-12 and families, available by subscription ($20/year for non-members; included with family membership) and featuring regionally specific nature content, activities, and member highlights.
• Passport to Nature Incentive program that encourages families to visit parks and natural areas together while tracking participation that feeds into the Action Awards program for older members.
• Nature for Newcomers Program designed to help newcomer families to Canada connect with nature experiences in their new communities through birding events, citizen science activities, and guided Explorer Days.
• NatureHood Program connecting families with nature experiences in their local neighborhoods and urban areas, designed to make nearby nature accessible for children and families.
• Action Awards Program Advanced challenge program for members ages 10-12 structured at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels covering Nature Detective research, Environmental Action conservation, Leadership sharing, and Community Participation field trips; completers receive certificates, pins, and features in NatureWILD magazine.
• Nature Clubs Network Province-wide, award-winning network of volunteer-led Nature Clubs delivering free family programming and Explorer Days to children ages 5-12 and their families in BC communities.
• Safari Cards – Backyard Bird Regional Series Regional bird identification cards sold individually at $4 or as 10-packs for $30, covering Vancouver Island, Southeastern BC, Northern BC, Thompson Okanagan, and Lower Mainland, with shipping included.
• Safari Cards – Bug Safari Bug identification cards featuring insects and small animals found in leaf litter and backyards across BC, sold as single cards at $4 or 10-packs at $30 with shipping included.
• Youth Hat 100% cotton youth cap embroidered with the NatureKids BC logo, featuring an adjustable velcro strap and sold at $15.
• Owl Drawstring Backpack Nature-themed drawstring backpack featuring an owl design, sold at $15.
• Family Membership Annual family membership at $25/year (sliding scale available) that grants access to free Explorer Days, NatureWILD magazine subscription, Passport to Nature program, and Action Awards participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of children and families engaged annually in nature activities across BC
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elders Council for Parks in BC Heritage CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNatureKids BC offices are located at the Elders Council for Parks in BC Heritage Centre, acknowledging the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh, Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and S'ólh Téméxw (Stó:lo) nations.
• Lower Coquitlam River Nature AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with NatureKids BC for the Picnic & BioBlitz at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park event, part of the City Nature Challenge.
• Kwikwetlem First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community partner for events on traditional territory. Provided cultural education and land acknowledgment for BioBlitz event at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park.
• Fraser River Discovery CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for community nature events and education programming.
• Metro Vancouver Regional ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership welcoming NatureKids BC community into Regional parks for Explorer Days and nature activities.
• Chilliwack Field NaturalistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Eastern Fraser Valley NatureKids Club, providing expertise and support for nature programming.
• Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Eastern Fraser Valley NatureKids Club, providing venue and programming support.
• Jericho Stewardship GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Vancouver NatureKids Club for tree planting and invasive species removal at Jericho Beach Park.
• A Rocha CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization working to increase environmental literacy. Cindy Verbeek works with both organizations.
• Vancouver Bird CelebrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual bird-themed events in Greater Vancouver area that NatureKids BC participates in.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Earth Rangers: Canadian charity delivering environmental education, animal-themed content, and outdoor engagement programming to children and families. Closest comparable in mission, age focus (kids), and free-membership model, though Earth Rangers emphasizes technology/app engagement while NatureKids BC emphasizes in-person outdoor clubs.
• A Rocha Canada: Canadian conservation organization focused on environmental education and field-based nature programs, including family and youth programming. Existing partner of NatureKids BC and most directly comparable in mission and BC regional focus.
• Ontario Nature: Provincial nature organization running nature clubs for children and families across Ontario with a similar regional-club-network structure. Most direct functional analog to NatureKids BC outside BC.

Regional players

• BC Parks Foundation: BC-based nonprofit supporting BC Parks through fundraising, volunteer programs, and educational initiatives. Operates in the same BC outdoor recreation and conservation education space with overlapping partner ecosystems.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Wildlife Federation: National nonprofit delivering wildlife and nature education programs across Canada, including youth-focused programming. Larger portfolio but overlapping mission of connecting children with nature through structured outdoor experiences.
• Girl Guides of Canada: National youth organization running outdoor programming, nature badges, and adventure activities for girls across Canada. Comparable youth-focused outdoor programming with structured progression (similar to NatureKids BC's Action Awards).
• Nature Canada: National conservation organization offering nature education, citizen science, and family programming including BirdLife activities. Overlaps with NatureKids BC on iNaturalist/eBird engagement and environmental education.
• Ducks Unlimited Canada: National wetland conservation organization running wetland education programs for youth and teachers. Overlaps in citizen science, regional conservation programming, and curriculum support for schools.
• Scouts Canada: National youth organization delivering outdoor adventure, nature exploration, and skill-based programming for children and youth across Canada. Comparable audience (children) and outdoor education offering, but broader scope than nature-specific.
• Evergreen: Canadian charity focused on urban nature and outdoor learning, running schoolyard greening programs and outdoor education initiatives. Comparable in promoting outdoor nature connection for youth and families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgfSjHkkabeEi7IK0zpyLGw
• Facebookfacebook.com/NatureKidsBC
• Instagraminstagram.com/naturekidsbc/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturekids-bc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 NatureKids BC