Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

What Willow Bend Environmental Education Center does

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1975 and based at 703 E Sawmill Rd in Flagstaff, Arizona, serving Coconino County as the region's only year-round, full-time environmental education center. The organization delivers hands-on K-12 school programs (classroom presentations priced at $240 per session and field trips ranging $240-$345 by duration), community-facing programming (free monthly Science Saturdays funded by Flagstaff365, Creative Flagstaff, APS, and City of Flagstaff BBB Revenues; expert-led adult workshops at $15-$85; family science events), guided tours (Downtown Geology, Picture Canyon, Beale Wagon Road hiking), and the annual KidWind Northern Arizona regional challenge. It also rents its facility for events at $300 for four hours or $500 all-day.

The physical infrastructure is itself a teaching asset: a Coconino County Certified Sustainable passive-solar, straw-bale building constructed in 2001-2002 with trombe walls, R-33 walls, R-50 ceilings, rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and surrounding habitat gardens certified as backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The site sits within Elizabeth 'Liz' C. Archuleta County Park under a 20-year lease secured in 2000 by the founding Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District (CNRCD), which retains board representation.

The revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit construct combining fee-for-service programs, annual memberships ($10-$100), one-time and recurring donations processed via NeonCRM, facility rentals, and sponsored free programming. Programs are booked through website forms and email with a 3-business-day response window, and financial assistance is available for schools with demonstrated need. Operations are lean, with 4 paid staff plus an active 10-member volunteer board and community volunteers; marketing runs through the Squarespace website, newsletter, events calendar, and volunteer-produced social media content.

Name

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

Legal name

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

Website

https://willowbendcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center is a Flagstaff, Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1975 that delivers hands-on K-12 environmental school programs, community events, guided tours, and KidWind competitions as Coconino County's only year-round, full-time environmental education center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAH

Environmental Education & Outreach

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYEDAMABAD

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYTHAAAOAJ

Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• K-12 field trips
• Outdoor science workshops
• Sustainable building tours
• Community nature events

Headquarters

HQ city

Flagstaff

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue from classroom presentations ($240), field trips ($240-$345 based on duration), and school programs. Per-program pricing with discounts based on need.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships providing free/discounted event access: Individual $35, Family $50, Sponsor $100, Limited Income/Student $10. Revenue from annual membership fees with perks.
3. Facility Rentals: Event space rental revenue: $300 for 4-hour rental, $500 for all-day rental. Early/late and multi-day rentals available with prior communication.
4. Workshop Fees: Adult workshops, family science events, and special programs with associated costs ranging from $15-$500 depending on program type and duration.
5. Donations: One-time or monthly donations from supporters. Nonprofit organization relying on donors and members.
6. Free Community Programs: Science Saturdays are free to the public, funded by community partners including Flagstaff365, Creative Flagstaff, APS, and City of Flagstaff BBB Revenues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center provides hands-on environmental education programs for K-12 schools (classroom presentations, field trips, KidWind Challenge) and community members (free Science Saturdays, adult workshops, family science events, guided tours), as well as facility rentals of its passive-solar sustainable building. Programming covers ecology, geology, climate, renewable energy, plants, wildlife, and sustainability, delivered at schools, the Willow Bend Center, and field sites in the Flagstaff/Coconino County region.

Product overview

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center provides hands-on environmental education programs and services primarily for school groups and the general community in Coconino County, Arizona. The core offerings include School Programs (K-12 classroom and field trip educational experiences), Community Programs (free Science Saturdays, Adult Workshops, Family Science events, and Guided Tours), and an annual KidWind Challenge wind turbine competition. The center also offers Event Space Rental of its passive solar sustainable building. Programs cover environmental topics including ecology, geology, climate, renewable energy, plants, animals, and sustainability, with pricing structured by program duration and group size.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Programs K-12 classroom presentations, in-class activities, and educational programs delivered at schools covering environmental topics including plants, earth sciences, climate, and wildlife.
• Field Trips Outdoor educational excursions to locations including Picture Canyon, Francis Short Pond, Downtown Geology Tour, Aspen Corner, and Willow Bend Center covering ecosystems, geology, and sustainable design.
• Science Saturday Free monthly community event held on the first Saturday featuring hands-on environmental activities, live demonstrations, and crafts with rotating monthly themes.
• Adult Workshops Monthly expert-led workshops covering topics such as wild foods, foraging, herbal remedies, watercoloring, weaving, and microgreens growing, typically including take-home materials.
• Family Science Seasonal family events featuring live animal presentations and nature-themed activities suitable for children ages 4 and up, with advance registration required.
• Guided Tours Expert-led tours including Flagstaff Through the Lens of Time history walks, Downtown Geology Tours, Picture Canyon excursions, and Beale Wagon Road experiences.
• KidWind Challenge Annual wind turbine design competition for students in grades 9-12, with regional events and opportunities to advance to the KidWind Worlds Competition.
• Event Space Rental Rental of the passive solar sustainable education center facility including WiFi, AV equipment, tables, chairs, and kitchen amenities for meetings and events.
• Special Events Annual events including Community Celebration, Flagstaff Native Herb Fest, and themed workshops such as Fireflies Spotlight and Pollinator Puppetry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free monthly Science Saturday events open to all ages
• +2 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Flagstaff365coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Science Saturdays and community programs. Provides financial support enabling free community events.
• Creative FlagstaffcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Science Saturdays and community events including ArtX puppet shows. Supports free public programming.
• APS (Arizona Public Service)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Science Saturdays and community education programs.
• City of Flagstaff BBB RevenuescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Science Saturdays and sustainability-related programs.
• The Forager's Path School of Botanical StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Willow Bend to host the annual Flagstaff Native Herb Fest featuring expert-led workshops and plant walks.
• Coconino Center for the ArtscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue host for the annual KidWind Northern Arizona regional challenge competition.
• Kaibab National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIssues permits for the Beale Wagon Road hiking experience with camels on Government Prairie.
• Axe of Service (NAU)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolunteer platform where Willow Bend posts upcoming volunteer opportunities.
• Red Herring PuppetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative collaboration on Nature Tales: Puppets and Pollinators project, part of ARTx festival. Designing pollinator puppets and mask activities.
• Great Arizona Puppet TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents Hotel Saguaro puppet show at Willow Bend featuring desert wildlife education through puppetry.
• Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Willow Bend to host the Magnificent Tree Measuring Workshop focusing on the Arizona Magnificent Trees Program.
• Coconino County Parks and Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaintains the Habitat Gardens surrounding Willow Bend Center. Gardens are part of Elizabeth 'Liz' C. Archuleta County Park.
• Coconino Astronomical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Willow Bend for Astronomy Night events featuring telescope viewing and star exploration.
• TynkerSpace (Tynkertopia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Teens' STEM Spring Break program for ages 14+, combining STEM education with environmental content.
• Momentum AerialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative collaboration on puppet and pollinator project for ARTx festival.
• Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District (CNRCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded Willow Bend and continues to provide oversight through board representation. CNRCD liaison serves on the board.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Southwest Environmental Center: Nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization in Las Cruces, New Mexico running school programs, community workshops, and nature-based events — comparable in scope of community environmental education offerings, though with a stronger advocacy component.
• Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center: Nonprofit support organization for an Albuquerque nature center, running volunteer-led education, guided walks, and community programming — analogous to Willow Bend's small nonprofit model with volunteer-driven environmental programming.
• Walking Mountains Science Center: Nonprofit science and environmental education center in Avon, Colorado offering K-12 programs, summer camps, and community events — a near-direct analogue to Willow Bend's community environmental education model, with similar year-round facility-based delivery.
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Combination zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum in Tucson offering K-12 education programs, interpretive exhibits, and community events focused on the Sonoran Desert — closely comparable in mission and programming mix, though at much larger scale.
• Rio Grande Nature Center: Nature park and education center in Albuquerque, New Mexico offering K-12 programs, guided walks, and community events at an urban nature site — directly comparable to Willow Bend's combination of visitor-accessible nature site plus environmental education programming.
• Aspen Center for Environmental Education (ACE): Nonprofit environmental education center in Aspen, Colorado providing K-12 field trips, summer camps, and community programs from a dedicated nature facility — closely aligned with Willow Bend's school-and-community environmental education model.
• Teton Science Schools: Nonprofit organization in Jackson, Wyoming delivering K-12 place-based environmental education, graduate programs, and community programming — a strong functional peer in the science-education space, though with broader scope including graduate-level programs.

Broad incumbents

• National Wildlife Federation: National nonprofit delivering environmental education programming and certifying habitats (including Willow Bend's NWF-certified backyard wildlife habitat). Comparable as a national umbrella for environmental education, but operates at a vastly larger scale and does not run a single local facility.

Others

• KidWind Project: National organizer of student wind-energy design competitions, including the KidWind Worlds Competition that two Willow Bend-coached teams advanced to in 2025 — closely comparable as the ecosystem partner for Willow Bend's KidWind Challenge program.

Regional players

• McDowell Sonoran Conservancy: Arizona-based nonprofit land conservancy running guided hikes, citizen-science programs, and K-12 education in the Scottsdale/Prescott area — overlaps with Willow Bend on environmental education delivery but operates primarily as a land-stewardship organization in a different Arizona subregion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/willow-bend-environmental-education-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Willow Bend Environmental Education Center