Yolo Basin Foundation
Yolo Basin Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that delivers K-12 environmental education and public wildlife programs at the 16,600-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in California's Sacramento Valley, in partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersDavis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Yolo Basin Foundation does
Yolo Basin Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 that delivers environmental education and manages public access programs at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in California's Sacramento Valley. The foundation operates under a unique partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) established at its founding, which provides the foundation with exclusive responsibility for educational programming and community access across 16,600 acres of restored wetlands that support over 200 bird species and approximately 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats. The organization primarily serves K-12 students and educators in the greater Sacramento region (over 80,000 students served since 1997, with roughly 4,000 students, teachers, and parents visiting annually), as well as general public visitors, individual donors, and volunteers.
The foundation's core offerings span guided wetland and bat tours, K-12 education programs under the Discover the Flyway brand (field trips at $240-$340, in-class activities at $200-$400/day, vernal pool field trips, teacher workshops, and the Nature Bowl science competition), annual public events (California Duck Days festival and Bucks for Ducks gala and online auction), and recurring content (Nature Notes articles by a UC Davis Professor Emeritus, Flyway Nights virtual speaker series). Programs are delivered by a small staff of nine — including an Executive Director, Education and Program Director, Policy Director, and coordinators across operations, community engagement, fund development, and education — supplemented by a volunteer docent corps managed through the Better Impact platform and reservations processed via NeonCRM.
Revenue is generated through tiered individual memberships ($25-$1,000+ annually across Marsh Wren, Cooper's Hawk, Great Blue Heron, and Tundra Swan tiers), program fees for tours and educational services, event ticket sales and sponsorships, and grants from state and partner agencies including a $2.5 million State capital grant received in February 2022 for the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Public Access & Education Capital Improvement Project. Geographic scope is regional, limited to the Sacramento Valley, with no disclosed national or international footprint.
Yolo Basin Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yolo Basin Foundation
- Legal name
- Yolo Basin Foundation
- Website
- https://yolobasin.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Yolo Basin Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that delivers K-12 environmental education and public wildlife programs at the 16,600-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in California's Sacramento Valley, in partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yolo Basin Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Education and Wetland Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB), River & Wetland Ecotours (Canoe/Kayak, Mangrove/Swamp Tours) (THAAAEAE)
Keywords
Where Yolo Basin Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Davis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Yolo Basin Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Memberships: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on donations from Friends of Yolo Basin Foundation members at various tier levels, annual sponsorships, and general contributions. Membership tiers range from $25-99 (Marsh Wren), $100-499 (Cooper's Hawk), $500-999 (Great Blue Heron), to $1000+ (Tundra Swan).
- Program Fees: Revenue generated from educational programs including Bat Talk & Tours ($17 adults, $5 youth), field trip fees ($240-$340 depending on activities), and in-class activity presentations ($200-$400 per day).
- Special Events: Fundraising events including annual Bucks for Ducks gala and online auction, California Duck Days festival with parking fees ($25), and sponsorship opportunities for events.
- State Funding: Received $2.5 million in State funding in February 2022 for the Capital Improvement Project.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bat Talk & Tours - Adult |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Discover the Flyway Field Trips |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | In-class Activities |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Private Wetland Tours |
| Subscription | Annual | Friends Membership Tiers |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Flyway Nights Speaker Series |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Yolo Basin Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yolo Basin Foundation delivers environmental education, guided wetland and bat tours, K-12 Discover the Flyway school programs, teacher workshops, speaker series, and community engagement events at the 16,600-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Its core services are funded by individual donations, tiered Friends memberships, program fees, special-event fundraising, and State grants, with significant programming offered free of charge to the public.
Product overview
Yolo Basin Foundation offers a comprehensive suite of environmental education programs focused on wetlands and wildlife conservation in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The core offerings include Wetland Tours (Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Tours and Davis Wetlands Tours), Bat Talk & Tours featuring the largest urban bat colony in California, and K-12 educational programs under the Discover the Flyway brand (field trips, vernal pool-based field trips, in-class activities, and teacher workshops). Additional programs include Nature Bowl (competitive science program), Flyway Nights Speaker Series (virtual presentations), and Nature Notes (educational articles). Public engagement is supported through California Duck Days (annual festival), Bucks for Ducks (annual fundraiser), and extensive volunteer opportunities. The Friends membership program provides tiered giving levels with exclusive benefits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wetland Tours
- Bat Talk & Tours
- Discover the Flyway Field Trips
- Discover the Flyway Vernal Pool-based Field Trips
- Discover the Flyway In-class Activities
- Teacher Workshops
- Nature Bowl
- Flyway Nights Speaker Series
- Nature Notes
- California Duck Days
- Bucks for Ducks Gala & Auction
- Volunteer Programs
- Friends of Yolo Basin Foundation
Quantifiable outcome
- 80,000+ students served since 1997
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Yolo Basin Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Yolo Basin Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Yolo Basin Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- California Department of Fish & WildlifecoreUnique partnership with California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) that makes the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area accessible to thousands of people each year. Yolo Basin Foundation was founded in 1990 as a community-based organization to establish the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, which CDFW intensively manages to promote waterfowl and bird populations.
- California State ParkscorePartnership with California State Parks providing grant funding for free vernal pool-based field trips at Grasslands Regional Park. California State Parks grant supports the Discover the Flyway Vernal Pool program for K-12 students.
- Yolo CountycorePartnership with Yolo County to offer free vernal pool-based field trips at Grasslands Regional Park. County provides access to vernal pool habitat at Grasslands Regional Park.
- Local Farmers and Private Wetland ManagersminorCollaborative partnerships with local farmers and private wetland managers for conservation and habitat management in the Yolo Basin region.
- NorCal BatsminorNorCal Bats provides ambassador bats for the Bat Talk & Tour summer programs. Founded by YBF Program Coordinator Corky Quirk, NorCal Bats brings live bat ambassadors for educational presentations.
- UC DavisminorAnnual sponsor of Yolo Basin Foundation. UC Davis professors contribute educational content through the Nature Notes series (Mike Davis, Professor Emeritus).
- Native Bird ConnectionsminorProvides live ambassador raptors for California Duck Days festival and other events, offering up-close views of Central Valley birds of prey.
- Nature Bowl PartnersminorPartnership with American River Conservancy, Camp Pollack, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Placer Nature Center, and Tuolumne County Office of Education for the Nature Bowl science competition program.
- Conservation OrganizationsminorCollaborative partnerships with conservation organizations at local, state, and federal levels including wildlife, flood control, and water quality agencies.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Yolo Basin Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Placer Land Trust: Local land trust serving Placer County, California, focused on conservation easements and public access. Comparable as a regional California conservation nonprofit with education programs and government/foundation funding streams.
- Point Blue Conservation Science: California-based conservation science nonprofit operating across the Pacific Flyway with education and habitat monitoring programs. Comparable as a regional science-driven conservation organization working on bird populations and wetland ecosystems.
- San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory: Bay Area nonprofit focused on bird research, monitoring, and education in bay wetlands. Comparable as a regional bird/wetland conservation nonprofit combining scientific research, public education, and volunteer-driven programs.
Direct peers
- Sacramento Valley Conservancy: Regional land trust operating in the Sacramento Valley focused on land conservation, restoration, and public access. Directly comparable as a nonprofit stewarding natural lands in the same geography with overlapping volunteer and education programs.
- River Partners: California-based nonprofit dedicated to large-scale riverine and floodplain habitat restoration, including in the Sacramento Valley. Comparable as a regional wetland/floodplain restoration nonprofit with state grant funding and partnership models.
Broad incumbents
- Audubon California: State chapter of the National Audubon Society focused on bird and habitat conservation across California, with education programming and sanctuaries. Comparable as a bird-focused conservation nonprofit delivering K-12 and public education at managed natural sites.
- The Nature Conservancy (California): Global conservation nonprofit with major California operations including working lands, water, and climate programs. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) land steward delivering education, advocacy, and habitat restoration with state and corporate funding sources.
- Ducks Unlimited: Large national nonprofit focused on waterfowl habitat conservation and wetland restoration, including significant California Central Valley work. Comparable mission around Pacific Flyway wetlands, waterfowl education, and state/federal grant-funded habitat programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Yolo Basin Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceYolo Basin Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yolo Basin Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Yolo Basin Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yolo Basin Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yolo Basin Foundation
What does Yolo Basin Foundation do?
Yolo Basin Foundation delivers environmental education, guided wetland and bat tours, K-12 Discover the Flyway school programs, teacher workshops, speaker series, and community engagement events at the 16,600-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Its core services are funded by individual donations, tiered Friends memberships, program fees, special-event fundraising, and State grants, with significant programming offered free of charge to the public.
Is Yolo Basin Foundation a public or private company?
Yolo Basin Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Yolo Basin Foundation founded?
Yolo Basin Foundation was founded in 1990. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Yolo Basin Foundation based?
Yolo Basin Foundation is headquartered in Davis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Yolo Basin Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Memberships are the primary driver. The others are program Fees, special Events and state Funding.
Who are Yolo Basin Foundation's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Placer Land Trust, Point Blue Conservation Science and San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory. Direct peers are Sacramento Valley Conservancy and River Partners. Broad incumbents are Audubon California, The Nature Conservancy (California) and Ducks Unlimited.
Does Yolo Basin Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yolo Basin Foundation.
What industry is Yolo Basin Foundation in?
Yolo Basin Foundation's product category is Environmental Education and Wetland Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAFAG, Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums), with a secondary code of THAAAOAA, Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning). Its NAICS code is 712190.