California Bluebird Recovery Program

What California Bluebird Recovery Program does

The California Bluebird Recovery Program (CBRP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1994 by Don Yoder to support cavity-nesting birds in California, with Western Bluebirds as the primary target species. Operations are organized around a volunteer network of nest box monitors coordinated regionally by County Coordinators in counties including Santa Clara, San Diego, San Mateo, and Southern California. The program provides training, nest box construction plans, predator management techniques, and standardized monitoring protocols; volunteers establish and maintain nest box trails on public and private lands including regional parks, farms, golf courses, cemeteries, vineyards, and backyards. CBRP has supported over 470,000 fledglings since inception and averages 16,000+ successful fledges annually based on consistent data collection since 1996.

CBRP's core technology is a Google Drive-based collaborative spreadsheet system for end-of-season data submission, with error checking and protection features, replacing a homegrown database in 2020. The program also distributes educational resources including a biannual newsletter (Bluebirds Fly!, published since 1995), construction plans for hanging boxes, Barn Owl and American Kestrel boxes, and a library of training videos. Donations are processed through Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance (EIN 23-7089801), and the program offers capped $500 nest box construction grants to California Audubon chapters and individuals. CBRP is affiliated with National Audubon Society-California and the North American Bluebird Society, and encourages monitors to submit box-by-box data to Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch citizen science program.

Revenue is derived entirely from tax-deductible donations and limited grants; no products or services are sold. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors that includes Co-Program Directors Georgette Howington and Mike Azevedo, Program Director Emeritus Dick Blaine, and Board Members Lesley Handa, Ronnie Eaton, and Bill Wallace. The program is community-led, with growth driven by word-of-mouth, community exhibits, public speaking, and training delivered through the County Coordinator network.

Name

California Bluebird Recovery Program

Legal name

California Bluebird Recovery Program

Website

https://cbrp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The California Bluebird Recovery Program is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that trains and supports a network of monitors across California to establish nest box trails, collect nesting data, and conserve cavity-nesting birds, especially Western Bluebirds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting bluebird conservation. Donations are processed through Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance (EIN 23-7089801) using PayPal or check.
2. Nest Box Construction Grants: Grants up to $500 per request for California Audubon chapters and individuals to cover costs of nest box construction materials, poles, and retrievers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The California Bluebird Recovery Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches volunteers how to establish, install, and monitor nest box trails for cavity-nesting birds—primarily Western and Mountain Bluebirds—on public and private lands across California. Its deliverables include nest box construction plans, weekly monitoring protocols, predator management techniques, a Google Drive-based data collection system, the biannual "Bluebirds Fly!" newsletter, training videos, and a Nest Box Construction Grants Program offering up to $500 in reimbursements. The organization aggregates standardized nest box data statewide and submits it to citizen science platforms such as Cornell's NestWatch.

Product overview

The California Bluebird Recovery Program is a conservation organization, not a software product company. Its offerings consist of nest box monitoring programs and educational resources for cavity-nesting bird conservation. The core program centers on the Nest Box Trail Program, which teaches volunteers how to establish and maintain nest box trails. Supporting services include Nest Box Monitoring Training, a Google Drive-based Data Collection and Reporting System for tracking nesting outcomes, the biannual Bluebirds Fly! Newsletter, Nest Box Construction Plans with technical specifications, a Monitoring Guide, Training Videos, and a Nest Box Grants Program. These offerings work together to support volunteer monitors in collecting data and conserving bluebird populations across California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bluebirds Fly!: The organization's biannual newsletter published in summer and winter, covering bluebird conservation news, monitor profiles, and research findings.

Products and services

• Nest Box Trail Program Comprehensive volunteer program teaching individuals how to establish, install, and maintain nest box trails in open spaces, parks, farms, and backyards to support cavity-nesting birds including Western and Mountain Bluebirds.
• Nest Box Monitoring Training Educational materials and guidance on how to monitor nest boxes weekly during nesting season, including species identification, counting eggs and hatchlings, and ensuring successful fledging.
• Data Collection and Reporting System Google Drive-based spreadsheets and tracking forms for monitors to record and submit nesting data including eggs, hatchlings, and fledglings by species and trail.
• Bluebirds Fly! Newsletter Biannual newsletter (summer and winter editions) published with support from Mount Diablo Audubon Society, covering program updates, research findings, and conservation news.
• Nest Box Construction Plans Detailed construction plans for various nest box types including hanging boxes, Barn Owl boxes, American Kestrel boxes, and retrieval tools, with technical specifications for different bird species.
• Training Videos Video library featuring nest box training presentations from CBRP coordinators covering topics such as monitoring techniques, hanging nest box management, and species identification.
• Nest Box Construction Grants Program Grant program offering up to $500 reimbursement for materials to construct nest boxes and retrievers, available to California Audubon chapters and individual monitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 470,000 total fledglings supported since program inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• National Audubon Society-CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Audubon Society-California provides organizational support and affiliation to the California Bluebird Recovery Program, validating its conservation mission and connecting it to the broader Audubon network.
• North American Bluebird SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBRP is an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society, enabling coordination on bluebird conservation efforts across North America and access to broader conservation resources and network.
• Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance (MDBA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMt. Diablo Bird Alliance (formerly Mt. Diablo Audubon Society) processes donations to CBRP and is listed as supporting organization. Their Federal Tax ID (EIN 23-7089801) is used for tax-deductible contributions. MDBA also assists with newsletter production.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology (NestWatch)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBRP encourages monitors to submit box-by-box data to Cornell's NestWatch citizen science program. Data from CBRP has been shared with Cornell for analysis on species status including Tree Swallows. NestWatch provides standardized protocols and scientific validation.
• Wild Farm AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild Farm Alliance has nest box trails that need monitors. CBRP refers volunteers to adopt these trails, creating a partnership for expanding monitoring coverage on agricultural lands.
• Southern California Bluebird ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern California Bluebird Club (SCBC) operates independently with over 2,300 nest boxes monitored by 50+ volunteers. Bill Wallace serves as SCBC President and CBRP Board Member, linking the organizations.
• San Diego Bird AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLesley Handa serves as Lead Ornithologist for San Diego Bird Alliance and County Coordinator for San Diego County with CBRP, linking the organizations.
• San Mateo County Bird AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRonnie Eaton serves as County Coordinator for San Mateo County Bird Alliance and CBRP, linking the organizations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bluebirdrecovery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 California Bluebird Recovery Program