Ogden Nature Center

What Ogden Nature Center does

Ogden Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a 152-acre urban nature preserve at 966 W. 12th Street in Ogden, Utah, founded in 1975 as the first community nature center in the Intermountain West. Its core offering is environmental education delivered through K-8 field trips, summer camps, preschool and homeschool naturalist programs, a statewide Informal Science Education Enhancement (iSEE) curriculum for first graders, and community education classes, reaching more than 50,000 participants annually. The preserve itself includes the L.S. Peery Education Building, a Visitor Center with a living sod roof and passive cooling towers, a 199-panel grid-tied solar array, 1.5 miles of walking trails, ponds, marshes, wetlands, animal mews for 20+ Utah-native non-releasable animal ambassadors, the Dumke Picnic Grove, bird blinds, a spotting tower, and a Motus wildlife migration tracking station (the 30th funded in Utah) operated in partnership with Tracy Aviary.

The center runs a hybrid nonprofit revenue model combining transactional, recurring, and contributed streams. Transactional revenue comes from admissions ($8 adults, $5 seniors and children 2-12, free under 2), ticket-based annual events such as the Songbird Summer Nights concert series ($25 members / $30 non-members) and the Wildwoods BASH gala, facility rentals of the Picnic Grove and indoor spaces for weddings and corporate events, gift shop merchandise at The Nest, and fee-based education programs. Recurring revenue is generated primarily through annual family memberships starting at $60/year, which include reciprocal entry to other U.S. nature centers. Contributed revenue includes donations, corporate sponsorships (e.g., Ogden area businesses), and grants such as those supporting the R.A.M.P. summer program through Weber County RAMP and the iSEE program across Utah.

Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through a single physical site plus its website (ogdennaturecenter.org), email newsletter, and Facebook/Instagram presence. Customer segments are horizontal: school groups (K-8), families with children, individual visitors and birders, and event clients. The center is supported by 1,000+ volunteers contributing roughly 10,000 hours annually and is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors. Conservation work — beaver dam analogs, native seed projects, habitat restoration, and Migratory species protection through the Motus network — runs in parallel with education and is itself a product offering via adoption programs and public engagement.

Name

Ogden Nature Center

Legal name

Ogden Nature Center

Website

https://ogdennaturecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ogden Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 152-acre urban nature preserve in Ogden, Utah, delivering K-8 environmental education, summer camps, statewide iSEE curriculum, conservation programs, and community events for families, schools, and the general public since 1975.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education and Nature Preserve Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Wildlife conservation
• Nature preserve
• Outdoor recreation programs
• Community nature center

Headquarters

HQ city

Ogden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Public visitors pay admission fees: Adults 13+ $8, Seniors 65+ $5, Children 2-12 $5. Children under 2 are free. Members enjoy free admission.
2. Membership Program: Family memberships starting at $60/year provide free admission, members-only news, discounts on programs and gift shop, and free entrance to other nature centers across the country. Individual, family, and corporate levels available.
3. Facility Rentals: Indoor and outdoor spaces available for weddings, parties, and meetings. The renovated Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Picnic Grove and Treehouse available for rental.
4. Donations and Fundraising Events: Annual Wildwoods BASH fundraiser generates revenue through ticket sales, auctions, and sponsorships. Additional donations accepted year-round.
5. Concert and Event Revenue: Songbird Summer Nights concert series generates ticket revenue: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Sponsorship picnic packages available for $500.
6. Gift Shop Sales: The Nest Gift Shop sells nature-related merchandise, books, clothing, artwork, and eco-friendly items with a 10% discount for members.
7. Education Program Fees: Revenue from summer camps, field trips, preschool programs, homeschool naturalist programs, and community education classes for all ages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ogden Nature Center is a nonprofit environmental education organization that operates a 152-acre urban nature preserve offering live wildlife exhibits, K-8 field trips, summer camps, preschool and homeschool programs, statewide iSEE classroom outreach, facility rentals for events, and a gift shop. Programs are anchored by more than 20 Utah-native animal ambassadors and reach over 50,000 children, teachers, and adults annually through hands-on nature experiences.

Product overview

Ogden Nature Center is a nonprofit nature preserve and educational organization offering a unified portfolio of programs and services centered on connecting people with nature. The core offerings include education programs (field trips, summer camps, preschool and homeschool programs), an Animal Ambassadors Program with live wildlife exhibits, a 152-acre nature preserve with trails, community events and facility rentals, a gift shop (The Nest), and membership programs. Conservation initiatives include habitat restoration, beaver management, and native seed projects. Seasonal programs such as R.A.M.P. Summer Activities and Kids Curiosity Corner provide accessible outdoor experiences. The organization does not operate as a software platform with modular products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Programs Nature education programs serving K-8 students, preschoolers, homeschoolers, and community members through field trips aligned to curriculum standards, summer camps for ages 2-17, preschool programs, homeschool naturalist programs, community classes, and the Informal Science Education Enhancement (iSEE) grant program that delivers in-classroom environmental curriculum to first graders across Utah.
• Animal Ambassadors Program Live animal exhibits featuring more than 20 Utah-native non-releasable birds of prey and other animals (snakes, salamanders, rabbits, tortoises) used as educational ambassadors. Visitors can meet animals during programs, and supporters can participate in the Adopt an Animal program.
• Nature Preserve and Trails A 152-acre urban nature preserve with more than 1.5 miles of walking trails through ponds, marshes, wetlands, and cottonwood forest habitat in Weber County, Ogden, Utah. Includes the Dumke Picnic Grove, Birdhouse Trail (100+ birdhouses), Avocet Tower, bird mews, spotting tower, treehouses, and bird blinds.
• Events and Facility Rentals Annual community events including Earth Day celebrations, Birdhouse Competition, Songbird Summer Nights concert series, Wildwoods BASH fundraiser, Creatures of the Night at Halloween, and Birding 101. Indoor and outdoor spaces available for rental including the renovated Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Picnic Grove and Treehouse for weddings, parties, and meetings.
• The Nest Gift Shop On-site gift shop selling nature-themed merchandise including books, notecards, clothing, home decor, toys, eco-friendly items, hand-woven market baskets, and Folkmanis animal puppets. Members receive a 10% discount.
• Membership Program Annual membership starting at $60/year for families, providing free admission, members-only news, discounts on programs and the gift shop, and free reciprocal entry to nature centers across the country. Individual, family, and corporate levels available.
• Conservation Projects Habitat restoration programs on the 152-acre preserve including beaver coexistence management, native seed spreading, installation of Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) structures in stream beds, and wetland conservation initiatives.
• R.A.M.P. Summer Activities Recreation, Access, Movement & Play (R.A.M.P.) summer program offering free admission every Saturday with naturalist-led nature crafts and animal encounters for children, teens, and adults of all abilities, funded in partnership with Weber County RAMP.
• Kids Curiosity Corner Free family program hosted at the Ogden Farmers Market with weekly nature-themed art projects, a Community Nature Mural, and Curiosity Passport stamp collection with rewards for participants.
• Songbird Summer Nights Concert Series Annual outdoor concert series featuring live music performances; tickets are $25 for ONC members and $30 for non-members. A $500 Sponsor Picnic Package includes a reserved table, six concert tickets, and curated snacks. Best Western Country Inn serves as official hotel partner.
• Wildwoods BASH Annual Fundraiser Annual fundraising event with themed programming (2026 theme: Friends of a Feather), ticket sales, auctions, and sponsorship revenue; tickets purchased through Zeffy platform. Scheduled for September 11, 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ children, teachers and adults participate in educational programs annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tracy AviarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2023Collaboration on Motus migratory bird tracking station installation at the 152-acre nature preserve. Tracy Aviary, supported by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, has built multiple stations along the Wasatch Front. The ONC station is the 30th funded in Utah, contributing to North American conservation research. Future plans include telemetry equipment and tags for species study, GIS mapping projects, and citizen-accessible data through an interactive website.
• Best Western Country InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hotel partner for Songbird Summer Nights concert series, providing discounted lodging for concert attendees with complimentary breakfast, parking, and WiFi. Located near the Nature Center.
• Utah Division of Wildlife ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the Motus station network along the Wasatch Front and across the West Desert. Collaborated with Tracy Aviary on funding stations to understand species migration corridors and stop-overs in Utah.
• Jeremiah's RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the annual Birdhouse Competition/Exhibit. Local restaurant partner supporting community events and environmental education.
• Wasatch Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers fill six bird feeding stations along trails seven days a week from mid-November through mid-March. This tradition began in 1982 when the society was founded. Members design and maintain feeding stations that support winter bird populations.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern UtahminorOthersReferral partner for injured birds. ONC is not licensed to accept injured wildlife but guides visitors to this licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Also recommends Wildlife Center of Salt Lake.
• Weber State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with future opportunities for data mining, analysis, and GIS mapping projects related to Motus station research. Student involvement in conservation research.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HawkWatch International: Salt Lake City-based nonprofit raptor conservation organization with public education programs and a network of banding and migration monitoring sites. Comparable in raptor conservation focus and overlaps with ONC through volunteer CARES community scientist programs.
• Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter: Summit County, Utah nonprofit operating a 1,200-acre nature preserve and LEED-certified eco-center with education programs and trails. Closely comparable in mission, structure, and operating model to ONC, with a similar mix of preserve, education, and visitor programming.
• Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center: Yellow Springs, Ohio-based outdoor education center affiliated with Antioch College, offering field-based environmental programs. ONC's AmeriCorps intern previously worked there as an environmental educator. Comparable as a field-based environmental education provider serving K-8 audiences.
• Tracy Aviary: Salt Lake City-based nonprofit aviary and nature center also focused on bird conservation, environmental education, and visitor experiences. ONC's Events Manager previously worked at Tracy Aviary, and the two organizations are core Motus station partners, making them the most directly comparable peer in the Intermountain West.
• Red Butte Garden: University of Utah-operated botanical garden and arboretum in Salt Lake City offering visitor programming, education, trails, and event venues. Comparable to ONC as a regional nature attraction with membership programs, educational outreach, and event/facility rental revenue streams.
• Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Utah-based aquarium offering live animal exhibits, education programs, and visitor experiences. ONC's Volunteer Manager previously worked there as an educator. Comparable as a regional nonprofit/educational wildlife attraction competing for the same family and school group audience.
• Duke Farms: New Jersey-based nonprofit operating a 2,700-acre estate focused on environmental education, sustainable land management, and visitor programming. ONC's AmeriCorps intern previously worked there. Comparable as a large-scale preserve combining education, sustainability, and visitor experiences.
• McCall Outdoor Science School: Idaho-based outdoor science school operated by Boise State University offering K-12 field science programs. ONC's naturalist educator previously worked there as a field instructor. Comparable in mission and field-based K-12 environmental education delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Natural History Museum of Utah: State-affiliated natural history museum at the University of Utah offering exhibits, education, and visitor programs. A broader incumbent competing for the same school field trip, family membership, and grant funding pools as ONC.
• Hogle Zoo: Utah's largest zoo in Salt Lake City, operating animal exhibits, education programs, and visitor attractions. Hogle Zoo is a broader incumbent in the same regional market for family wildlife education and competes with ONC for school field trip and family leisure dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Ogdennaturecenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/ogdennaturecenter
• Xx.com/ogdennature
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ogden-nature-center

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Ogden Nature Center