Waddell Creek Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE WADDELL CREEK ASSOCIATION IN COOPERATION WITH CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS PROVIDES PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE COASTAL SECTION OF BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK. WE SHOWCASE THE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL GEMS OF THE SEASHORE, MARSH AND LOWER FORESTED AREA INCLUDING MANY FLORA AND FAUNA UNIQUE TO THESE AREAS. WE ALSO SUPPORT INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS, OUTDOOR CLASSROOM EVENTS AND THE NEW WILDERNESS PATROL PROJECT. INCORPORATING INFORMATION ON FIRE ECOLOGY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE INTERACTION BETWEEN HUMANS AND NATURE AS WELL AS HIGHLIGHTING THE HISTORICAL TENDING AND FORAGING OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES HAS BEEN ADDED TO OUR OVERALL EDUCATION EFFORTS. OUR AIM IS TO INCLUDE EVERYONE IN THIS EDUCATION AS WE ARE ALL CITIZENS OF THIS PLANET AND EVERY ACTION (OR NON-ACTION) AFFECTS US ALL. THE INTERPRETATION OF NATURE IS VITAL IF WE ARE TO MAKE POSITIVE IMPACTS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $5,516
- Spending
- $8,314
- Reserves
- 106.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $4,018 spent. PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2025 LAST YEAR SAW A GOOD DEAL OF UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURE AT RANCHO DEL OSO. BESIDES NEW SIGNAGE, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR NATURE CENTER CARPET CLEANING, WINDOW CLEANING AND OTHER BASIC MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS NEW TRACK LIGHTING. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR WEBSITE AND ONLINE PRESENCE TO ENHANCE THE EXPOSURE OF OUR ACTIVITIES TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND MAINTENANCE OF SECURITY TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE PROTECTION IN THE WEB WORLD AND A QR CODE FOR EASE OF PURCHASE. EVENTS INCLUDED SALAMANDER SATURDAY (A SCALED-DOWN VERSION OF SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES), WILDFLOWER WEEKEND AND EVENT/PROGRAM SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF SUPPLIES (NATURE JOURNALS, PENCILS, WATERCOLOR SETS, CHAIR RENTAL AND T- SHIRTS). DIANE WEST-BOURKE, A LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER WITH HULDA HOOVER, GAVE HISTORY TRAINING TO VOLUNTEERS FROM RDO AND ANO AND A MAJOR EFFORT WAS MADE TO START SORTING/ PRESERVING THE ARCHIVE MATERIALS STORED THERE. WE ALSO HAD HULDA HOOVER DAY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND ACTIVITIES OF THIS AMAZING WOMAN WHO FOUNDED THE WADDELL CREEK ASSOCIATION. THERE WERE SPEAKERS, GUIDED WALKS AND WORKSHOPS PROVIDED. WCA PURCHASED A WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATION FOR THE NATURE CENTER TO ASSIST HIKERS AND VISITORS WHO ARRIVE AFTER HOURS. HIKES INCLUDED THE RETIRED PROFESSORS FROM UCSC AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL FROM SEMPERVIRENS FUND AS WELL AS SCHOOL GROUPS. NEST FEST WAS A HUGE HIT WITH THE PUBLIC, HIGHLIGHTING OUR NATIVE DUSKY- FOOTED WOOD RATS AND THEIR PENCHANT FOR BUILDING HUGE DOME-SHAPED HOUSES IN THE MARSH AREA. LEARNING DAYS WITH SOQUEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INVOLVED THE STUDENTS IN REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS AND REPLACING THEM WITH NATIVE VARIETIES IN THE DEMO GARDEN. THIS HANDS-ON TRAINING WAS OVERSEEN BY PARKS STAFF AND WCA BOARD MEMBERS.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 September 1986.
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.