Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society

What Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society does

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, doing business as Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance (SCVBA), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization founded in 1925 and headquartered in Cupertino, California. It operates as one of the largest chapters of the National Audubon Society in California, serving more than 1,000 members across Santa Clara County and the broader San Francisco Bay Area. The organization delivers birding field trips, a monthly Speaker Series, school programs reaching over 2,500 children annually, youth programs engaging 1,600+ participants, and two flagship conservation initiatives — the Cavity Nesters Recovery Program (500+ monitored nest boxes, 7,300+ chicks fledged since inception) and the Burrowing Owl Protection Program. It also operates the Bay Area Bird Photographers club, The Avocet newsletter, a Nature Shop at McClellan Ranch Preserve, and an online merchandise store. In 2025 the organization rebranded to Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance to broaden its mission framing, while retaining its original legal name for tax purposes.

The business model is community-supported: revenue is generated through recurring membership dues, tax-deductible donations and annual appeals (including the Birdathon fundraiser), grants from conservation partners such as Open Space Authority, and merchandise sales through the Nature Shop and online store. Operations are volunteer-intensive, with a four-person paid staff (Executive Director, Environmental Advocate, Office Manager, Education & Outreach Manager) supported by an elected Board of Directors and a large network of volunteer field trip leaders, nest box monitors, and committee participants. Distribution is primarily direct — in-person and virtual programs across Santa Clara County — supplemented by digital channels including the website, YouTube, Instagram, The Avocet newsletter, and email lists.

Technology is limited to third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems. The organization relies on community-science infrastructure operated by Cornell Lab of Ornithology (eBird, NestWatch), iNaturalist, and the Merlin bird identification app for member participation and data collection. No AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or proprietary software products are disclosed. Strategic positioning centers on policy influence (municipal bird-safe building guidelines, ESA petitions for Burrowing Owls), institutional partnerships (National Audubon Society, Audubon California, Cornell Lab, Bay Area municipalities), and program expansion into new audiences including youth, low-income school communities, and accessibility-focused participants.

Name

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society

Legal name

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society

Website

https://scvbirdalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, operating as Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1925 in Cupertino, California. It delivers birding field trips, conservation advocacy, and education programs to 1,000+ members and 2,500+ schoolchildren across Santa Clara County as one of the largest National Audubon Society chapters in California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cupertino

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from over 1,000 members
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from members and donors supporting conservation programs
3. Merchandise Sales: Revenue from Nature Shop and Online Store selling birding-related merchandise
4. Grants: Grant funding from organizations such as OSA for conservation and education programs
5. Annual Appeal: Annual fundraising campaigns including Environmental Advocacy Campaign and Birdathon fundraiser

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance (formerly Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers birding field trips, conservation programs, and environmental education across Santa Clara County. It runs volunteer-driven initiatives including the Cavity Nesters Recovery Program (monitoring 500+ nest boxes), the Burrowing Owl Protection Program, youth and school education programs, community science counts, and a retail Nature Shop selling birding merchandise.

Product overview

Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance (SCVBA), formerly Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, operates as a non-profit bird conservation and education organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. Core offerings include guided and self-guided field trips to regional birding hotspots, a monthly Speaker Series, and the Bay Area Bird Photographers program showcasing bird photography presentations. Youth engagement is served through the Young Birders Club and Summer Nature Days Camp, while school programs reach over 2,500 children annually. Conservation initiatives include the Burrowing Owl Protection Program and the Cavity Nesters Recovery Program (CNRP) which monitors over 500 nest boxes. Community science programs enable public participation through eBird, Christmas Bird Count, and related initiatives. The organization also operates a Nature Shop at McClellan Ranch Preserve and publishes The Avocet newsletter. These programs collectively support the mission of promoting enjoyment, understanding, and protection of birds through birding, education, and conservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bay Area Bird Photographers (BABP): A club founded by members of SCVAS that features engaging presentations on bird photography from around the world and close to home. Programs are open to the public and BABP is supported by SCVAS and sponsored by the Recreation-Open Space and Science Division of the City of Palo Alto.
• Cavity Nesters Recovery Program (CNRP)
• Burrowing Owl Protection Program

Products and services

• Field Trips Program Guided birding excursions to diverse habitats across the South Bay region, led by volunteer trip leaders to top birding locations. Aimed at members and the public interested in birding.
• Speaker Series Monthly online presentations featuring members and guest experts showcasing bird photography and ornithological knowledge from around the world and local areas.
• Bay Area Bird Photographers (BABP) A club founded by SCVAS members featuring presentations on bird photography from around the world; open to the public with no membership dues required.
• Young Birders Club Program engaging young people with birds through family field trips, nature walks, bird banding, and nest-box building activities.
• Burrowing Owl Protection Program Conservation initiative focused on preserving, restoring, and enhancing Burrowing Owl populations and their habitat in Santa Clara Valley.
• Cavity Nesters Recovery Program (CNRP) Volunteer-based program establishing and monitoring nest box trails for cavity-nesting birds including Western Bluebird, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Part of the California Bluebird Recovery Program.
• Self-Guided Field Trips Written guides to birding locations that allow members to explore independently with detailed directions and species information.
• Nature Shop Physical retail location at McClellan Ranch Preserve offering birding supplies and nature-related merchandise.
• Community Science Programs Citizen science initiatives including eBird submissions, Christmas Bird Count, Summer Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and Great Backyard Bird Count.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7,300 chicks fledged from nest boxes through Cavity Nesters Recovery Program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• City of SunnyvalemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017First city to adopt bird-safe building design guidelines promoted by SCVBA.
• Sierra Club - Loma Prieta ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-recipient of San Jose City Council commendation for conservation advocacy work.
• National Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCVBA is one of the largest National Audubon Society chapters. Collaborates on conservation strategies and shares resources for bird protection.
• Audubon-CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level Audubon organization that SCVBA collaborates with on conservation goals and advocacy efforts.
• California Bluebird Recovery ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCVBA's Cavity Nesters Recovery Program is part of this statewide initiative jointly sponsored by Audubon California and North American Bluebird Society.
• North American Bluebird SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the California Bluebird Recovery Program that SCVBA participates in through its CNRP.
• San Jose Department of Environmental ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in 2011 to transform a 180-acre open field into prime burrowing owl habitat.
• Santa Clara Valley Open Space AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaitlin Dempsey Morais serves on the Expenditure Plan Oversight Committee for this authority.
• Keep Coyote Creek BeautifulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of BioBlitz events at Coyote Creek Visitor Center.
• BioBlitz ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BioBlitz events co-hosted by SCVBA.
• Green FoothillsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BioBlitz events co-hosted by SCVBA.
• Recreation-Open Space and Science Division of the City of Palo AltominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSponsors the Bay Area Bird Photographers club founded by SCVAS members.
• San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with SCVBA on burrowing owl protection efforts.
• Cornell Lab of OrnithologycoreTechnology or IntegrationSCVBA uses Cornell's eBird platform and NestWatch program for community science participation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Audubon Society: The national parent organization of which SCVBA is a chapter. Comparable as the overarching brand, programmatic framework, and conservation authority that shapes SCVBA's operating model and funding ecosystem.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: A national bird research and citizen-science institution whose eBird and NestWatch platforms SCVBA integrates. Comparable as the provider of the underlying community-science technology and a major authority in bird science and engagement.

Regional players

• Sacramento Audubon Society: A Sacramento-region Audubon chapter with a comparable chapter-level bird conservation and education model. Comparable as a peer chapter but operating primarily in a different Northern California geography.
• Sequoia Audubon Society: A San Mateo County–based Audubon chapter offering field trips, education, and conservation programs. Comparable as a peer chapter with similar offerings but anchored to a different Bay Area sub-region.

Direct peers

• Audubon California: The state-level Audubon affiliate with which SCVBA collaborates on conservation strategy. Comparable as a sibling Audubon entity sharing mission, advocacy approach, and access to National Audubon resources.
• Audubon Canyon Ranch: A Bay Area conservation organization operating nature preserves and bird-focused education programs. Comparable to SCVBA on regional bird conservation focus, volunteer engagement, and habitat stewardship activities.
• East Bay Audubon Society: An Oakland/East Bay–based Audubon chapter delivering field trips, education, and conservation advocacy. Directly comparable as another large California Audubon chapter operating a similar community-led program portfolio.
• Golden Gate Audubon Society: A San Francisco–based Audubon chapter with a comparable membership-based bird conservation and education model. Directly comparable as a fellow Bay Area Audubon chapter of similar size and program mix (field trips, conservation advocacy, school programs).
• Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter: A Bay Area regional chapter of a national conservation organization with overlapping habitat-protection and advocacy work. SCVBA and Sierra Club Loma Prieta co-received a 2017 San Jose City Council commendation, indicating shared advocacy scope.
• San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory: A Bay Area nonprofit conducting bird research, monitoring, and conservation, including direct partnership with SCVBA on burrowing owl protection. Closely comparable as a regional bird-science and conservation organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCw65RGDsD7TsUW6jSf_W7sQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/scvbirdalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society