What Ohio Nature Education does

Ohio Nature Education is a private non-profit volunteer organization founded circa 1995 and headquartered in Johnstown, Ohio (Licking County), with a secondary site at Deer Haven Park in Delaware County operated in partnership with Preservation Parks of Delaware County. The organization's primary function is providing permanent care for over fifty non-releasable and permanently injured wild animals — including birds of prey, owls, opossums, bats, snakes, turtles, flying squirrels, and skunks — and integrating these animal ambassadors into environmental education programs delivered across Central Ohio and (for an additional travel fee) the entire state of Ohio.

Its core product is live, in-person and virtual environmental education programming built on two underlying assets: (1) the live animal ambassador collection (50+ animals with documented rescue stories and curated biographies) and (2) a natural specimen library (study skins, nests, pelts, skulls, tracks, scat, owl pellets). Programs are customized for group size and age range and address Ohio Academic Content Standards for K-12 audiences, scout badge requirements, library summer reading, and adult lifelong-learning segments (wildlife-friendly gardening, birding, photography). Supporting products include wildlife photography workshops, "WILD Birthday Parties," an online merchandise store, and a public live camera stream at Deer Haven Park.

Ohio Nature Education earns revenue through a diversified non-profit mix: program fees (the primary paid service), recurring memberships ($20–$1,000 tiers), three-tiered Adopt-an-Animal sponsorships ($40–$350), donations and grants, Patreon recurring support, branded merchandise ($5–$35 SKUs), Kroger Community Rewards pass-through, and Wild Birds Unlimited consignment. The organization takes no tax dollars, state funding, or federal funding. Distribution is direct-outreach (programs delivered to customer sites) supplemented by the Preservation Parks channel partnership, which generated 45,000 visitors in 2023. In 2023 the organization delivered 217 programs across 14 counties reaching 13,063 people, supported by volunteer contributions valued at $81,000.

Name

Ohio Nature Education

Legal name

Ohio Nature Education

Website

https://ohionature.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ohio Nature Education is a private Ohio non-profit that provides permanent care for 50+ non-releasable wild animals and delivers in-person and virtual environmental education programs to schools, scout troops, libraries, and community organizations across Central Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Wildlife programs
• Animal ambassadors
• Nature education
• Wildlife conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged for educational programs delivered to schools, scout troops, libraries, and community organizations. Programs include live animal presentations and natural specimen collections. Price varies by program type and group size.
2. Donations and Grants: Monetary donations from individuals and organizations, plus grant funding. Tax-deductible contributions supporting wildlife ambassadors and education programs.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, water bottles, stickers featuring wildlife themes. Prices range from $5 to $35.
4. Membership Program: Annual memberships at various levels (Student/Senior $20, Regular $30, Supporting $50, Corporate $350, Lifetime $1,000) providing benefits including welcome letter, annual event invitation, and bi-monthly newsletter.
5. Adopt-an-Animal Program: Three-tiered adoption program ($40, $75, $350) offering certificates, prints, and in-person animal meet opportunities for one full year.
6. Patreon Support: Monthly recurring support through Patreon with exclusive behind-the-scenes content, animal introductions, and voting on animal names.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ohio Nature Education is a private non-profit volunteer organization that provides permanent care for over fifty non-releasable and permanently injured wild animals and incorporates them into environmental education programs for people of all ages. Programs are delivered in-person and virtually to schools, scout troops, libraries, garden clubs, senior centers, metro parks, and community centers across Central Ohio and statewide. Supporting offerings include photography workshops, birthday parties, branded merchandise, an annual membership program, and an Adopt-an-Animal sponsorship program.

Product overview

Ohio Nature Education is a private non-profit organization offering environmental education programs centered around non-releasable wild animals. The core offering consists of Child/Family and Adult educational programs featuring live animal ambassadors and natural materials, delivered both in-person and virtually. Supporting offerings include Photography Workshops and WILD Birthday Parties. The organization operates a Merchandise Store and offers Membership Programs and an Adopt an Animal sponsorship program. Additional features include a Live Camera for viewing education birds and Distance Learning/Virtual Programs for remote audiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Educational Programs for Children and Families Environmental education programs featuring live animal ambassadors, study skins, nests, and natural materials on topics including wildlife, birds of prey, bats, insects, astronomy, and nature exploration; available in-person and via virtual/distance learning formats for groups of any size and age range.
• Adult Environmental Education Programs Programs covering wildlife-friendly gardening, birdwatching, landscaping for wildlife, and nature photography, delivered to garden clubs, senior centers, and community groups.
• Wildlife Photography Workshops Workshops held several times per year (typically capped at 25 participants) where attendees photograph the organization's education animals.
• WILD Birthday Parties Informal birthday party experiences featuring education animals, customizable to party themes and group sizes for a relaxed, fun setting.
• Branded Merchandise Store Online store selling nature-themed apparel and accessories including hoodies ($35), t-shirts ($19.99), mugs ($16-$18), water bottles ($20), travel mugs, and stickers ($5).
• Annual Membership Program Recurring membership tiers including Student/Senior ($20/year), Regular ($30/year), Supporting ($50/year), Corporate ($350/year), and Lifetime ($1,000), each providing a welcome letter, annual event invitation, and bi-monthly newsletter; Corporate and Lifetime tiers include a free one-hour presentation with an education animal of choice.
• Adopt-an-Animal Sponsorship Program Three-tier annual animal sponsorship: Level 1 ($40) includes a background sheet, certificate, 5x7 matted print, and event invitation; Level 2 ($75) adds an 8x10 print upgrade and private tour; Level 3 ($350) adds a free one-hour program featuring the adopted animal (some animals excluded).
• Virtual Distance Learning Programs Video-conference delivered environmental education programs, including content filmed by Columbus College of Art & Design students, that extend the organization's reach beyond Central Ohio to statewide audiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 217 programs delivered across 14 counties reaching 13,063 people in 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Preservation Parks of Delaware CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate Birds at Deer Haven Park - an aviary providing up-close views of non-releasable birds with species rotated throughout the year. Received 45,000 visitors in 2023. Birds are transferred between locations seasonally.
• Otterbein UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Otterbein University Conservation Biology students for spring semester projects. Students research stories of animal ambassadors including backgrounds, injuries, and origins. Instructor Casey Tucker leads the course.
• Denison UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService-learning collaboration with students enrolled in 'Beyond Good Intentions: Using Narrative to Explore and Transform Our Efforts to Make a Difference' course. Students research animal ambassador stories. Contact Lucy Bryan at Denison.
• Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (OWRA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to offer seminars on new bird regulations from USDA. Ohio Nature Education, in partnership with OWRA, provides Zoom seminars for OWRA members led by Mrs. Van and Cindy Alverson from Raptors, Inc.
• Wild Birds Unlimited (Multiple Locations)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReynoldsburg, Dublin, Westerville, and Canal Winchester locations sell items on behalf of Ohio Nature Education
• The Avian Conservation Center (South Carolina)minorOthersSource of Tippi, the American crow who was rescued after being illegally kept as a pet. Tippi was flown to Ohio Nature Education via private plane.
• Columbus Blue JacketsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApril 4, 2024 game night fundraiser where $10-20 per ticket sold was donated back to the organization
• Roosters RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSelling 10% off gift cards for $10 that can be used throughout 2024, with proceeds benefiting the 40+ animals

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ohio Wildlife Center: Central Ohio nonprofit offering wildlife rehabilitation and educational programming with live animal ambassadors. Comparable in geographic focus, mission (wildlife education with non-releasable animals), and customer mix of schools and community groups.
• Raptors, Inc. Ohio-based nonprofit providing wildlife education through live raptors and non-releasable birds. Direct peer given shared mission of using non-releasable wildlife ambassadors for educational programs and joint seminars with Ohio Nature Education via OWRA.
• Center for Wildlife (Cape Neddick, Maine): Nonprofit wildlife education and rehabilitation center using non-releasable animal ambassadors for K-12 and community programs. Closely comparable in programming model, use of live animal ambassadors, and outreach delivery.

Broad incumbents

• National Wildlife Federation: Large national nonprofit with wildlife education, certification, and habitat programs. Comparable in conservation-education mission and curriculum alignment, but operates at national scale rather than regional outreach.
• The Wilds: Ohio conservation center focused on conservation education and rare species. Comparable in conservation-education mission and Ohio geography, but operates as a large conservation park rather than a small outreach nonprofit.
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Major Ohio zoo and aquarium with animal ambassador programs and education outreach to schools. Overlaps on live animal education but is a large, fixed-location institution with much broader scope than Ohio Nature Education's outreach model.

Regional players

• Cincinnati Nature Center: Regional Ohio nature center offering environmental education, live animal programs, and school field trips. Comparable in education mission and customer segments, but operates from a fixed site rather than traveling outreach.
• Blandford Nature Center: Michigan-based nonprofit nature center offering wildlife education programs with live animal ambassadors. Comparable in operating model (nonprofit, animal ambassadors, school programming), though geographically distinct.
• Aullwood Audubon Center: Ohio-based nature center providing environmental education programs and wildlife displays. Comparable in Ohio region and educational programming model, though broader in scope (farm, nature center, sanctuary combined).

Emerging players

• Earthshine Mountain Top Adventures / Nature Education Programs: Outdoor and nature education program provider using hands-on environmental learning. Comparable in outdoor nature-education delivery model, though focused on adventure rather than live animal ambassadors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Ohio-Nature-Education-328193297879
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohionatureeducation
• TikToktiktok.com/@ohionatureeducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-nature-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Ohio Nature Education