Lc Nature Park, Inc.

What Lc Nature Park, Inc. does

LC Nature Park, Inc. is an independent nonprofit nature preserve operating on 300+ acres in Roanoke, Indiana, approximately 20 minutes southwest of Fort Wayne. Founded in 2019 by the Brooks Family in memory of Carol Brooks and opened to the public in 2021, the organization is home to Indiana's only free-roaming herd of both bison and elk, housed within an 80-acre enclosure on restored tallgrass prairie, wetlands, and woodlands. The park's mission centers on conservation education, cultivating curiosity about Indiana's native prairie heritage, and providing accessible outdoor experiences to community members who face barriers to engaging with nature.

The organization's core products and visitor experiences include Discovery Saturdays (drop-in weekends May through October), Safari Bus Tours aboard an electric vehicle traversing the bison and elk enclosure, staff-led Guided Hikes, Camp Trillium (a day camp for children ages 5-12), curriculum-aligned K-12 Field Trips, and Stewardship Days volunteer conservation events. Supporting infrastructure includes the Mills Education Center, a historic 1912 barn converted into an ADA-accessible event and education space, and an Arts in the Park programming vertical. The core technology is the physical preserve itself rather than a software platform; the organization uses a WordPress-based website, online booking, and a Volgistics volunteer management system for distribution.

LC Nature Park operates a hybrid revenue model. Earned revenue comes from admission fees ($7 Saturday drop-in), program fees ($5/student field trips, $15/person safari tours, $20 Calves & Coffee), facility rentals ($500-$1,000 minimum for corporate and nonprofit events), tiered annual memberships ($20 Student to $1,000 Bison), and a certified photographer program ($150/year plus portrait permits). Contributed revenue is anchored by donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving (Trillium Society), with major 2026 sponsors including Steel Dynamics, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Doermer Family Foundation, and Fort Wayne Community. The primary customer segments are families with children (50%+ of visitors), K-12 school groups (including Title 1 scholarship recipients), corporate organizations seeking event venues, and major donors/event attendees. The park is staffed by approximately 12 employees plus a 15-member board and relies heavily on volunteers for trail guiding, event support, and stewardship work.

Name

Lc Nature Park, Inc.

Legal name

LC Nature Park, Inc.

Website

https://lcnaturepark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LC Nature Park is an independent nonprofit operating a 300+ acre nature preserve in Roanoke, Indiana, home to the state's only free-roaming bison and elk herd. It delivers nature-based educational programs, field trips, camp experiences, and fundraising events to families, schools, and corporate partners in Northeast Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Preserve and Educational Tourism

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

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)

Keywords

• Nature preserve education
• Wildlife conservation tours
• Outdoor educational programs
• School field trips
• Nonprofit nature park

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Drop-in Saturday admission at $7 per person, with free entry for children 3 and under and all members. Safari bus tickets additional.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships at multiple tiers: Student ($20), Individual ($50), Dual ($65), Herd ($100), Elk ($500), Bison ($1,000). Includes free admission, discounts, and exclusive perks.
3. Educational Programs: Revenue from field trips ($5/student), camp fees, specialty programs (Calves & Coffee, Guided Hikes, Safari Bus Tours), and educational workshops.
4. Facility Rentals: Corporate and educational rentals of Mills Education Center. Business rate: $1,000 for first 2 hours, $375/hour additional. Non-profit rate: $500 first 2 hours, $200/hour.
5. Special Events: Major fundraising events including Bison Stomp (general admission $40, child $15) and Evening on the Prairie (individual $250, tables $2,000-$2,500).
6. Donations, Grants and Sponsorships: As an independent nonprofit without tax support, LC Nature Park relies on donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving (Trillium Society) for operational funding.
7. Photography Program: Annual photographer membership at $150 plus permit fees for portrait photography sessions ranging from $25-$200 depending on season and group size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LC Nature Park operates a 300+ acre nonprofit nature preserve featuring Indiana's only free-roaming herd of bison and elk on restored tallgrass prairie. The park offers guided and self-guided tours via an electric safari bus, school field trips with curriculum-aligned programming, a summer day camp (Camp Trillium) for children ages 5-12, specialty programs, signature fundraising events, and facility rentals of the historic Mills Education Center. Revenue is generated through admissions, memberships, program fees, facility rentals, donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Product overview

LC Nature Park operates as a nonprofit nature preserve offering a portfolio of interconnected visitor experiences and educational programs. The core visitor experience includes Discovery Saturdays (drop-in Saturdays from May-October) with access to self-guided trails, Safari Bus Tours (guided electric bus tours around the bison and elk enclosure), and Guided Hikes through prairie and woodland. The organization runs Camp Trillium, a summer day camp for children, and provides Field Trips with curriculum-aligned programming for schools. Additional offerings include Arts in the Park creative programming, a Photography Program with certified photographer access, and Stewardship Days volunteer conservation events. Revenue-generating programs include Bison Stomp (annual music and food festival) and Evening on the Prairie (signature dinner event), both major fundraisers. The Mills Education Center is available for corporate and educational rentals. The park operates a Membership Program with tiered benefits and offers various tours and specialty experiences like Calves & Coffee and Calves & Charcuterie.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Safari Bus Tours Guided tours aboard an electric safari bus that travels around the bison and elk enclosure, offering visitors wildlife viewing opportunities and educational commentary about the park's animals, habitats, and history.
• Discovery Saturdays Drop-in park visits on Saturdays from May through October featuring guided hikes and safari bus tours included with admission at $7 per person.
• Camp Trillium A nature-based day camp for children ages 5-12 offering hands-on outdoor experiences with wildlife, plants, and cultural heritage activities including creek exploration, fire-making, and fishing.
• Field Trips School field trips offering immersive outdoor educational experiences including guided hikes through prairie and forest, hands-on exploration stations, tailored to all grade levels, with curriculum-aligned pre- and post-trip activities.
• Guided Hikes Staff-led tours through the park's prairie and woodland trails, offering opportunities to observe bison and elk while learning about native plants, wildlife, and ecosystems.
• Arts in the Park Year-round creative programming celebrating art and nature through photography, plein air painting, music performances, and culinary experiences.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership offering free park admission, discounts on programs, merchandise savings, newsletters, and exclusive access to events, with levels ranging from Student ($20) to Bison ($1,000).
• Mills Education Center Rentals Corporate and educational event venue rental of the historic Mills Education Center, including kitchen, tables, AV setup, and optional add-ons such as campfires, safari bus tours, and educational presentations.
• Stewardship Days Volunteer conservation work sessions involving invasive plant removal, native seed collection, trail maintenance, and other habitat restoration activities.
• Photography Program Certified photographer and videographer program offering exclusive park access, behind-the-scenes experiences, and portrait session permits for nature and portrait photography at $150 annual membership plus permit fees $25-$200.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50%+ of visitors are children, connecting youth to nature and conservation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and major.

• DeHavensupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Season Sponsor supporting LC Nature Park's annual operations and programs.
• ValeosupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Season Sponsor supporting LC Nature Park's annual operations and programs.
• Steel DynamicsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Bison Stomp headline sponsor - major fundraising event partner.
• FW MetalssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Bison Stomp sponsor supporting the major fundraising event.
• Truland EquipmentsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Bison Stomp sponsor supporting the major fundraising event.
• Votaw ElectricsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Bison Stomp sponsor and Table Sponsor for Evening on the Prairie.
• TWO-EE's WinerysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Trivia for a Cause: Wildlife Night fundraiser. Donates portion of food sales back to LC Nature Park.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nachusa Grasslands: Illinois tallgrass prairie restoration site managed by The Nature Conservancy with bison herd, public visitor access, and educational programming. Comparable through its prairie restoration mission, public bison viewing, and volunteer-driven stewardship model.
• Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie: USDA Forest Service tallgrass prairie reserve in Illinois with bison herd, trails, and educational programs. Comparable through tallgrass prairie restoration, bison viewing, and public education mission.
• Wolf Park: Indiana-based nonprofit wildlife research and education facility featuring wolves and other wildlife. Comparable as a small Indiana nonprofit focused on wildlife education, public programs, and behavioral research.
• Safari West: California wildlife preserve offering safari tours, animal encounters, and conservation education on 400+ acres of Sonoma County. Comparable through its safari bus tour experience, free-roaming wildlife, and education-focused mission.
• The Wilds: Ohio-based nonprofit conservation park and wildlife center offering safari tours, educational programming, and overnight accommodations on 10,000+ acres of reclaimed mine land. Highly comparable to LC Nature Park as a regional wildlife experience with safari-style tours and conservation education focus.
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Texas nonprofit wildlife center with drive-through safari, guided tours, and conservation education programs. Operates a similar model of free-roaming wildlife viewing, education programs, and membership-based revenue, though with overnight lodging.
• Custer State Park Resort: South Dakota state park featuring free-roaming bison herd, wildlife tours, and educational programming. Comparable through its well-known free-roaming bison herd, safari-style wildlife viewing, and heritage nature experience positioning.
• Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve: Oklahoma's largest remaining tract of tallgrass prairie, managed by The Nature Conservancy with bison herd and visitor tours. Highly comparable through its tallgrass prairie ecosystem, bison herd, and educational/visitor programming.

Regional players

• Fort Wayne Children's Zoo: Major regional zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with 1,000+ animals and educational programs. Regional peer operating in the same Northeast Indiana market with overlapping audience (families with children) and educational programming.
• Ouabache State Park / Indiana State Parks: Indiana state park system with natural areas, educational programming, and visitor facilities. Regional peer serving the same Indiana outdoor recreation market with comparable nature education mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lcnaturepark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lc-nature-park-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/lcnaturepark

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Lc Nature Park, Inc.