Overview of The Acorn Group, Inc. Blending the skills of planners, designers, and educators, The Acorn Group offers award-winning services in interpretive planning and design. Part art, part science and history, accented with story- telling and design, our interpretive master plans, exhibits, panels, and programs create sensory-rich experiences that bring content to life. Established in 1990 and nationally certified as a Woman Business Enterprise, The Acorn Group works with a range of clients from government agencies to private and non-profit institutions. Project sites include visitor centers, museums, public gardens, ecological reserves, parks, and educational institutions. Our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing plans and drawings become reality and watching visitors take delight in new experiences. The Acorn Group’s projects and efforts have been recognized nationally, receiving such awards as the Exhibit Design Award, Print and Media Award, and Interpretive Media Award by the National Association for Interpretation, Award of Excellence by the American Society of Landscape Archi- tects, Best of Show by the Western Fairs Association, Award of Excellence by the California Parks and Recreation Society, and National Education Award by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Orange County League of Conservation Voters presented The Acorn Group with the Orange County Environmental Business of the Year Award in 2005. In 2007, The Acorn Group received the First Place Interpretive Media Award from the National Association for Interpretation for design of Nix Nature Center. In 2012, the North American Association for Environment Education presented The Acorn Group and Acorn Naturalists with their Outstanding Service Award. In 2016, we joined the Owens Lake project team in accepting the Southern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects’ prestigious Award of Excellence. This project also received the National 2017 Professional Award by the American Society of Landscape Architects. In 2019, the National Association for Interpretation presented us with an Interpretive Media Award for our work at the Holden Arboretum. Capabilities of The Acorn Group include: interpretive master planning interpretive writing and editing design, exterior wayside exhibits and interiors of visitor centers and museums environmental graphics education master planning curriculum development donor recognition media, including panels, pavers, banners print media, including exhibit brochures, exhibit passports, discovery kits, and trail guides formative and summative evaluation front-end research, including intercept and online surveys, needs assessments, and focus groups illustration, including fine art, maps, and scientific illustrations script development for audiovisual media strategic planning for both interpretation and education visitor engagement through community science and stewardship activities wayfinding design, including monument markers, orientation panels, directional signs Director of The Acorn Group, Jennifer Rigby has been working in the field of interpretation since 1981. First working in a nature center, followed by an aquarium and later a zoo, she founded The Acorn Group in 1990. Since that time she has been directly involved in the development of hundreds of interpretive master plans, interpretive panels, and exhibit design packages. Projects have taken her to California’s coastal dunes, Oregon’s rugged coastline, New Mexico’s arid desert and steppe, hardwood forests of the East, and cypress swamps of Florida. Regardless of setting, her focus is on creating sensory-rich experiences and helping visitors cultivate their own sense of place. Jenny’s training and experience have earned her a reputation for creating effective, dynamic educational and interpretive experiences. Her projects and efforts are nationally recognized. She is the recipient of the 2002 California Project Learning Tree Award for Service to Environmental Education, the 2002 California Institute for Biodiversity Educator of the Year Award, and the 2005 Howard Bell Award for outstanding achievements and contributions as a leader in the field by the Jennifer Rigby Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education. In 2012 the North American Association for Director Environment Education honored her with their Outstanding Service to Environmental Education The Acorn Group Award. In 2020, Outward Bound Adventures honored her with their Champion of Change award. Education A member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) since its inception in 1988, Jenny Certified Interpretive Planner/ serves on NAI’s board certification team. She also serves on the executive board of American rails,T National Association for Interpretation a national organization dedicated to the creation, conservation, and enjoyment of quality trails and greenways. In addition, Jenny has been involved in the Environmental Literacy Initiative of the MS/ Education/ California State California Department of Education, having served as project manager of the State’s Environmental University, Fullerton Education Master Plan, co-consultant of the Education and the Environment Initiative, and contributing author of the Blueprint for Environmental Literacy. California Community College Instructor Credential Her background includes interpretive master planning; teaching in formal and non-formal institutions, including zoos and aquaria; interpretive writing; exhibit and graphic design; and Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential program evaluation, research, and training. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social ecology, a University of California, Irvine master’s degree in education, two California teaching credentials, and NAI national certification as an interpretive planner. BA/ Social Ecology/ University of California, Irvine Projects Bolsa Chica Wetlands Interpretive Center In collaboration with John Murray Productions, exhibit planning and design of the Bolsa Chica Conservancy’s new interpretive center and gateway to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands (in process). Southeast Community Center Design of an interpretive panel series that playfully calls attention to seasonal changes in a meadow, woodland, and seasonal creek and wetland created at this new community center. Using an “I spy” approach, the panels’ rich illustrations and child-friendly copy call attention to the birds, butterflies, and dragonflies these landscapes attract. San Francisco Publicorks, W San Francisco, California (in process). Alameda Creek Watershed Center Development of final design drawings for all the exhibits and commissioned murals in the new 2'-0" 8'-0" Alameda Creek Watershed Center. Created to advance public understanding of watershed health 1/2" Tempered glass exhibit area Existing exhibits to remain 14742 Plaza Drive, Suite 205 railing set into channel anchored to Tustin, CA 92780 and appreciation for the historic Sunol Water Temple grounds, the Center features an 8,000-gallon floor. Powder coat posts and track to (714) 838-4888 match existing steel, typ. 3'-2" Existing Wentzscope table to remain Inner bark replica and tree stream profile that showcases living trout, interactive exhibits including state-of-the-art augment- cross section interactive 1/2" Tempered glass exhibit area access gate 8'-6" Ø5'-0" Nix Nature Center ADA Turn around Sycamore Tree 2 Model Exhibit ed reality experiences, glass-covered simulated archaeological excavation pit, and massive murals Flipbook: Wildlife Stories 5'-2 Note: This outlet to supply power to 04.00 Interactive Graphic 1/2" both touch screens. Tree model fabricator to provide electrical chase Railing in their base work. (8) Animal calls on 20" touch screen with audio (6) Flip lids 18751 Laguna Canyon Rd Laguna Beach, CA 92651 2 that help create an immersive experience. Our work also includes design of a watershed discovery 20" 6'-0" Elotouch 02.00 Phase: Schematic Design Issue Date: Flipbook: Acorn Woodpeckers 27 October 2020 trail and a reflection site that overlooks a cultural heritage site. Throughout our work, we have Revision Date: Bird matchup spinning blocks Grainary replica with Existing rock moveable acorns work to remain Eye/face matchup interactive TBD 6" (4) Fur replicas and illustrations 2 worked closely with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, community members, and the 03.00 Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Sunol, California (in process). Typ. expansion joints (E) Exterior door Existing mural to remain Exhibit Plan Exhibit Plan Nix Nature Center 1 Scale: 1/2"=1'0" Ex 01.00 Exhibit planning and design of an interactive reader rail encircling a large fabricated western sycamore tree inside Nix Nature Center, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Work includes commis- sioned original art and development of flipbooks, flip lids, mix and match blocks, animal call recordings, interactive acorn granary model, and interpretive panels. Work performed for the County of Orange (in process). 2'-0" 8'-0" San Onofre State Beach 1/2" Tempered glass exhibit area Existing exhibits to remain 14742 Plaza Drive, Suite 205 railing set into channel anchored to Tustin, CA 92780 floor. Powder coat posts and track to (714) 838-4888 match existing steel, typ. 3'-2" Design of interpretive panel on climate change, sea level rise, and effect at San Onofre tateS Beach Existing Wentzscope table to remain Inner bark replica and tree cross section interactive 1/2" Tempered glass exhibit area access gate 8'-6" Ø5'-0" Nix Nature Center