Landpaths
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LandPaths' mission is to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County. LandPaths creates ways for people to experience the beauty, understand the value, and assist in healing the land in their local communities.
- Income
- $6.6 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -35.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 60
- Volunteers
- 895
- Highest pay
- $210,199, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 111% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $2.4 million spent. LandPaths is an environmental education and conservation leader with the mission to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County. Everyone should have access to the awe and inspiration of nature.Annually, LandPaths engages thousands of participants in joyful, caring, and transformative relationships with the land. This is done mainly through creative outings led in both English and Spanish, environmental education, nature camps, and people-powered land stewardship of local open spaces.With a commitment to equity in the outdoors and building reciprocal relationships, LandPaths programs are offered free or sliding scale, or with robust scholarships, led by diverse participants. Three Core Initiatives Rooting Youth in Nature: We reduce the barriers and expand opportunities to get outside so that youth can experience wonder, joy, awe, belonging, and a sense of stewardship in nature.Branching Out Conservation for Everyone: With a dedication to equity and inclusion, we reduce the barriers to increase access for people historically excluded from positive connection with nature and the outdoors. Growing Community With Nature: Facing the challenges like catastrophic fire and drought dramatically increased by climate change, LandPaths more than ever believes in forging care and connection between people and the land. From stewardship days for all ages to conservation workforce training, we address community care with curiosity, determination, and creativity.LandPaths programs are as follows:Rooting Youth in NatureIn 2025, LandPaths offered a full season of nature-based youth programs across Sonoma County. A total of 17 camp weeks were held across seven unique programs, providing opportunities for hundreds of young people to explore, connect, and grow in the outdoors at: Rancho Mark West, Bohemia Ecological Preserve, Preston Farm & Winery and the Russian River. These programs reflect our commitment to connection, access, and belonging in the outdoors. Across all programs, LandPaths continues to expand equitable access through financial assistance, transportation support, and partnerships with schools and community organizations, ensuring youth from diverse backgrounds can experience the joy and belonging in nature. LandPaths Owl Camp is a nature-based summer immersion program for kids from 6 to 13 years old. Owl Camp offers a rich place for children to explore the natural world, test out new ideas and experience the freedom of child-directed, open-ended learning through nature exploration and play guided in small groups by expert educators. Camp Trillium is a newer nature camp program for youth between the ages of 9 13 focused on creating a sense of belonging in nature for LGBTQI+ youth and allies. LandPaths also offers RiverTrek camps. Consistent with LandPaths youth programs, these camps immerse youth in nature and develop outdoor skills, such as paddling, camp cooking, fire starting, filtering water all the way down to caring for your feet and hands (and blisters). These experiences and skill development, build participant sense of belonging (with nature and with peers) and confidence in continuing outdoor activities and exploration for a lifetime. In Fiscal Year, 2024 2025 we offered 2 weeks of Teen River Treks with 23 total campers served. 14 campers received scholarships and 3 received transportation support. 10 of those were first-time campers. Camps Program By the Numbers 7 camp programs: Owl Camp, SRCS Owl Camp, Camp Trillium, Teen River Treks, Spring Break Camp, Winter Camp, and Inspired Forward Teen Trek 17 total camp weeks across all sites 565 total camper spots filled, representing 458 individual youth 317 campers (56%) received scholarships 219 campers received transportation support Owl Camp had the largest number of campers (305 over 7 weeks) Smaller, focused programs like Camp Trillium (19 campers) and Inspired Forward Teen Trek (11 campers) offered deeper connection and leadership opportunities In Our Own BackYard is a nature awareness program built to enhance student connection and confidence in the outdoors. In Our Own BackYard, school-based, provides an in-depth experience to 17 schools for a total of 81 field trips in Sonoma County with 4-full day field trips, and 2 classroom visits over the course of the school year, averaging 20 hours in the field per student.In Our Own BackYard curriculum correlates with many of the state and federal science, math, language arts and physical education standards, and anticipates strong alignment with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. In Our Own BackYard program serves approximately 800 students, is offered for free to Title 1 schools. In 2012, LandPaths launched a teen-focused program, Inspired Forward. Built on the In Our Own BackYard model, Inspired Forward is a field-based, multi-day program. Inspired Forward brings together positive, life-changing, and leadership-based experiences for teens and young adults with the opportunities presented by the land: adventure, learning, healing, stewardship, relaxation, and community. We partner with individual schools, school districts, and Restorative Justice clubs across Sonoma County to offer free programming to Title 1 schools. Inspired Forward offers teens and young adults: Environmental literacy through hands-on activities aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).The chance to explore the beneficial relationship between humans and the land, and the development of a stewardship ethic through fun and rewarding projects.A recognition of their amazing power and responsibility to act on behalf of the earth.An invitation to attend a three-night, four-day Spring Break Trek from the ocean through public and private lands in Sonoma County.In Fiscal Year 2024 2025, we worked with 7 school partners on a total of 15 class visits and 40 field trips. Participants visited 9 different site, including the Sonoma Coast thanks to Explore the Coast funding from the California State
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.