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Our Services
The Acorn Group offers a range of services in interpretive and educational master planning, exhibit design,
curriculum development, and evaluation, as indicated by the summary of projects
below (shown in chronological order).
Recent Projects
Big Canyon Creek
Design development of the interpretive media identified in the master plan
prepared by the Acorn Group in 2007, in collaboration with VA
Consulting and the City of Newport Beach, California (in process).
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Interpretive master planning for the Discovery Center and wayside exhibit design for the
native plant garden at the Agua Hedionda Discovery Center, Carlsbad, for the
Agua Hedionda Foundation (in process).
Edgewood Preserve
In collaboration with General Graphics Exhibits, design development of exhibits
for the new interpretive center at Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve,
San Mateo Parks and Recreation Foundation, Menlo Park, California (in process).
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Development of interpretive panels that showcase the rescue, rehabilitation, and
release of stranded pinnipeds, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach,
California (in process).
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Wayside exhibit design for the historic cattle ranch operations at Bommer
Canyon, Irvine and the Mountains to Sea Trailhead at Shellmaker Island, Newport
Beach, in collaboration with RJM Design Group, the City of Irvine, and Ron Yeo,
FAIA Architect, Inc. (in process).
Coral Mountain Interpretive
Center
Interpretive planning and design of wayside exhibits and interactive geologic
and archaeological displays for an outdoor interpretive center located at
Coral Mountain Regional Park in the City of La Quinta, in collaboration with RJM
Design Group (in process).
Assembly Bill 1548—Education and the Environment Initiative
Co-consultant for development of the comprehensive Model Curriculum of the
Education and the Environment Initiative, in association with the State
Education and Environment Roundtable and under the direction of California EPA
and the Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, California (in process).
Laguna Lake
Development of a new sign program for the recently restored Laguna Lake,
including interpretive panels, orientation panels, and regulatory signs for the
City of Fullerton, in collaboration with RJM Design Group and the City of
Fullerton, 2006-2007.
Big Canyon Creek
Development of the interpretive master plan for a 70-acre natural open space
area adjacent to the Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach, in collaboration with WRC
Consulting Services, 2007.
Pacheco
Creek
Wayside
exhibit design for the Pacheco Creek corridor for the City of Novato and NUVIS
Landscape Architecture and Planning, California, 2006.
Dominguez Gap Wetlands
Wayside exhibit design for Dominguez Gap Wetlands
for CH2MHill, Long Beach, California, 2006-2007.
Madrona
Marsh Preserve
Wayside
exhibit design for Madrona Marsh, including interpretive panels, orientation and
welcome panels, and habitat panels, Torrance, California, 2005-2007.
City of
Long Beach
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design for the Navy Memorial at Rainbow Harbor, LA
River Bikeway, and Transpacific Yacht Race, Long Beach, California, 2006-2007.
James and Rosemary Nix
Interpretive Center
First
Place, 2007 Interpretive Media Award,
National Association for Interpretation
Interpretive
planning and exhibit design at the Nix Nature Center in Laguna Coast Wilderness
Park for the Laguna Canyon Foundation and County of Orange, Laguna Beach,
California, 2001-2006.
Chilao
Visitor Center
Interpretive planning and conceptual design for Chilao Visitor Center, United
States Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, California, 2006-2007.
Orange County Historical Commission
Wayside exhibit design for historical panel at
Harriet M. Wieder Regional Park, Huntington Beach, California, 2006.
Oregon
State Parks—Coos Bay Region
Development of the interpretive master plan for Shore Acres, Cape Arago, and
Sunset Bay State Parks for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Salem, Oregon,
2006.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Statewide assessment of education and interpretive programs for the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks in
association with the State Education and Environment Roundtable, 2006.
South
Coast Wilderness
Wayside
exhibit design for the entrance to the South Coast Wilderness for Laguna Canyon
Foundation, California State Parks, and the County of Orange, Newport Coast,
California, 2006.
San Diego Zoological Society
Front-end evaluation work for the exhibit
development teams at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park, and
development of an interpretive prospectus for the new American elephant exhibit,
2006.
New
Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
Development of the interpretive master plan for the museum’s
core exhibits (16,000 square feet) focusing on the State’s thousand–year
agricultural history, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Department of Cultural Affairs,
2005-2006.
Sun
Valley Watershed Project
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design for an innovative underground stormwater
facility at Sun Valley Park, TreePeople, Sunland, California, 2004-2006.
America's Ocean Challenge
Development of an interpretive and education
prospectus for new IMAX film production, America's Oceans, for Summerhays
Films, Inc., 2005.
White
Point Nature Preserve
Development
of the interpretive master plan for a 102-acre coastal site for the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Land Conservancy, California, 2005.
Laguna
Lake Park Restoration Project
Development
of the interpretive master plan for a 28-acre site in Fullerton, California, in
collaboration with RJM Design Group for the City of Fullerton, 2005.
Los
Angeles River Bikeway at Golden Shore Marine Reserve
Development
of the conceptual plan for the gateway to the Los Angeles River Bikeway,
encompassing landscape architecture and design of new sign system for the City
of Long Beach in cooperation with the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, 2005.
Riley
Wilderness Park
Interpretive planning for Riley Wilderness Park – County of
Orange, Cota de Casa, California, 2005.
Assembly Bill 1548—Education and the Environment Initiative
Co-consultant
for implementation of Assembly Bill 1548—landmark legislation calling for
alignment of environmental principles and concepts to California’s content
standards across the K-12 curriculum, development of recommendations for
incorporating material into textbook adoption criteria, and design of a
comprehensive model curriculum, in association with the State Education and
Environment Roundtable and under the direction of the California EPA and
Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, California, 2004-2005. To view
the complete Model Curriculum Plan, please
click here.
Unified Education Strategy: State of California
Project
management, in cooperation with the State Education Environment Roundtable, of
Senate Bill 373, a unified education strategy on the environment under the
direction of the California Integrated Waste Management Board and California
EPA, including strategic planning, research and evaluation, curriculum
development, and professional development, 2002–2005.
Descanso Gardens
Two-year
evaluation of the Sycamore Science Adventures, a Head Start science and literacy
intervention program at Descanso Gardens, 2003–2005.
San Gabriel River Discovery
Center
Development
of a preliminary interpretive prospectus for the San Gabriel River Discovery
Center, front-end evaluation of three target audiences, development of exhibit
themes and sub-themes, and design of an informational brochure for the County of
Los Angeles, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Upper San Gabriel River Water
District, and Central Basin Waster District, El Monte, California, 2004–2005.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Development
of the interpretive master plan and architectural conceptual plan; visitor
studies; development of an education prospectus and interpretive panels for
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County Parks and
Recreation Foundation and the County of San Mateo, 2004–2005.
Laguna Canyon Foundation
Development
and administration of educator needs assessment to identify needs and interests
related to South Coast Wilderness program development for central Orange County
schools, 2004.
Irwindale Park
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design at Irwindale Park for Los Angeles
Engineering, Irwindale, California, 2003–2004.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic
Garden
Design
development of exhibits and interpretive media for a new two-acre children’s
garden at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, California, 2003–2004.
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
Interpretive
master planning of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex for the Dunes Stewardship
Collaborative – a task force consisting of California State Parks, United States
Fish and Wildlife Service, County of Santa Barbara, The Dunes Center, and Center
for Natural Lands Management, 2003–2004.
Haramokngna Cultural Center
Interpretive
master planning and exhibit design services to showcase the heritage of
indigenous people in California at the Haramokngna Cultural Center for the U.S.
Forest Service, Red Box Canyon, Angeles National Forest, California, 2003–2004.
Environmental Education
Compendium on Energy Resources and the Atmosphere
Research
and development of national compendium project for the State of California,
California Air Resources Board, and California Energy Commission in cooperation
with the California Department of Education, 2003.
California Institute for
Biodiversity
Project
management of front-end evaluation for new Coast Alive curriculum project
of the California Institute for Biodiversity, 2003.
Los Angeles Zoo
Interpretive
master planning for the new Rain Forest of the Americas Pavilion and Serpent’s
Trail Exhibit Hall at the Los Angeles Zoo, for Michael Jurdan, Inc. and Leo A.
Daly Architecture, Los Angeles, California, 2003.
San Mateo County Parks
Environmental Education Program
Development,
design, and front-end evaluation of a curriculum-based park resource kit for
distribution among K-12 educators under direction of the San Mateo County Parks
and Recreation Foundation, 2003.
Big
Sur Station
Exhibit
design and merchandising master plan for the Nature Station, entry point for the
Ventana Wilderness, operated by the Los Padres Forest Association in cooperation
with the U.S. Forest Service and California State Parks, Big Sur Station,
California, 2003.
Descanso Gardens
Project
management for development of new visitor’s brochure and map, 2003.
Ballona Wetlands
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design for the freshwater marsh at Ballona Reserve,
Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California, 2002–2003.
Edgewood County Park and
Natural Preserve
Interpretive
master planning, exhibit and architectural design at Edgewood County Park and
Natural Preserve, identified by the California Native Plant Society as the third
most botanically diverse site in the state, County of San Mateo, 2001–2002.
El Dorado Nature Center
Interpretive
master planning for El Dorado Nature Center as part of a comprehensive master
plan for wetlands restoration, habitat management, and resource maintenance for
102 acres adjacent to the San Gabriel River, in cooperation with Jones and
Stokes and Ron Yeo, FAIA Architect, Inc., Long Beach, California, 2001–2002.
Alta
Laguna Park
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design at Alta Laguna Park, City of Laguna Beach,
California, 2001–2002.
Santa Fe Canyon
Cultural
interpretive planning and wayside exhibit design at Santa Fe Canyon, New Mexico
for The Nature Conservancy, 2001–2002.
Golden Shore Wetlands
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design at Golden Shore Wetlands, City of Long
Beach, 2001–2002.
Environmental Education
Compendium on Communities
Research
and development of national compendium project for the State of California,
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in cooperation with the
California Department of Education, 2001–2002.
Santa Barbara Botanic
Garden
Implementation
of new Interpretive Master Plan (completed by The Acorn Group in 1999) including
development of interpretive panels and directional signs for the Garden, Santa
Barbara, 2001–2002.
California Plan for
Environmental Education
Project management of state-level strategic plan for
environmental education, including research, public relations,
capacity-building, workshop facilitation, supervision of subcommittees, and
preparation of final document, Education & the Environment, commissioned
by the California Department of Education and California Community Forests
Foundation, in conjunction with the California EPA and The Resources Agency,
2000–2002.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic
Garden
Interpretive
master planning for a new children’s garden in cooperation with Campbell &
Campbell, Architects, Landscape Architects, Planners, Claremont, California,
2001.
Descanso Gardens
Two-year
evaluation of the Discovering Trees education program at Descanso Gardens,
2000–2001.
Redwood National and State
Park
Planning,
design, and production of curriculum materials and resource trunk focusing on
endangered species and wildlife research for middle school classroom use,
National Park Service, Crescent City, California, 2001.
Laguna Coast Wilderness
Park
Recipient
of the 2002 Interpretive Media Award, National Association for Interpretation.
Interpretive planning and wayside exhibit design for the Laguna Canyon
Foundation, Laguna Coast, 2001.
Long Beach Harbor
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design at Rainbow Harbor, City of Long Beach, 2001.
Vetter Mountain Lookout
Historic
interpretation and wayside exhibit design for the Vetter Mountain Lookout, U.S.
Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, 2000 and 2003.
Sevilleta National Wildlife
Refuge
Exhibit
planning and design for the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Interpretive
Center and Trail, The Nature Conservancy, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1999–2000.
San Bernardino County
Museum
Feasibility
study for the Museum Youth Initiative (ultimately resulting in the award of a
$500,000 grant), a project funded by the James Irvine Foundation for the San
Bernardino County Museum, 1999–2000.
California Institute for
Biodiversity
Development,
administration and data analysis of education survey designed to evaluate the
Cal Alive
CD-ROM, California Institute for Biodiversity, Oakland, 1999.
Forest Service History
Center
Interpretive
master planning for the U.S. Forest Service History Center, Angeles National
Forest, 1999.
Santa Barbara Botanic
Garden
Interpretive
master planning for new signage system throughout the gardens, including
directional and sectional signage and interpretive panels, Santa Barbara, 1999.
Santa Rosa Plateau
Ecological Reserve and Multi-Species Reserve
Interpretive
master planning and exhibit design for the Santa Rosa Plateau Interpretive
Center and Multi-Species Reserve Interpretive Center, County of Riverside/
Regional Park District, 1998–1999.
Ormond Beach Habitat
Resource Area
Concept
planning at Ormond Beach Habitat Resource Area, Calleguas MWD Regional Salinity
Management and Wetlands Enhancement Program for Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, 1999.
Santa Barbara Botanic
Garden
Administration
and analysis of visitor survey at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1999.
Descanso Gardens
Evaluation
of education department programs at Descanso Gardens, 1999.
Integrated Waste Management
Environmental Education Compendium Project
Research
and development of national compendium project for the State of California,
Integrated Waste Management Board and Department of Education, 1999.
The Huntington Botanical
Gardens
Interpretive
master planning, visitor studies, and program development for the Botanical
Research and Education Center at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1996–1999.
San Gabriel Canyon
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design for the U.S. Forest Service/Angeles National
Forest, San Gabriel River Ranger District, 1998–1999.
Pt.
Vicente Interpretive Center
Interpretive
master planning and exhibit design for the Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center, City
of Rancho Palos Verdes and Ron Yeo FAIA Architect, Inc. 1998.
El Dorado Nature Center
Wayside
exhibit design for the El Dorado Nature Center, City of Long Beach, 1998.
Bear Divide Chaparral Trail
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design for the U.S. Forest Service/Angeles National
Forest, Los Angeles River Ranger District, 1998.
Lost Valley Scout
Reservation
Development
of an environmental education prospectus for 1415 acre reservation in San Diego
County for the Boy Scouts of America and California Community Forests
Foundation, 1998.
George
F Canyon Preserve in Rolling Hills Estates
Interpretive
planning, wayside exhibit design and fabrication for the George F Canyon
Preserve Trail, City of Rolling Hills Estates, 1996–1997.
Sepulveda Basin Wildlife
Park
Interpretive
planning and wayside exhibit design for the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Park,
administered by the Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with NUVIS Landscape
Architecture and Planning, 1996–1997.
Canyon Park Nature Center
Recipient
of the 1998 Award of Excellence, California Parks and Recreation Society.
Interpretive planning, architectural review, exhibit planning and design for
Canyon Park Nature Center, City of Monrovia, 1995–1997.
Chaffee Zoological Gardens
of Fresno
Development
of interpretive panels, Chaffee Zoological Gardens of Fresno, 1996.
Water Resources
Environmental Education Compendium
Showcased in 1997 California Water Awareness Month Kit.
Research and development of national compendium project for the State of
California, Department of Water Resources and Department of Education, 1996.
Western
San Gabriel Watchable Wildlife Tour
Design
and fabrication of wayside exhibits for a scenic highway in Angeles National
Forest, 1995–1996.
Mt. Baldy Visitor Center
Recipient of 1995 Exhibit Design Award, National Association for Interpretation.
Exhibit design and fabrication for the Mt. Baldy Schoolhouse and five-acre
Visitor Center Compound, Big Santa Anita Historical Society and U.S. Forest
Service/Angeles National Forest, 1994–1995.
Bolsa Chica Interpretive
Center
Exhibit planning, design, and fabrication at the Bolsa Chica
Ecological Reserve for the Bolsa Chica Conservancy and California Department of
Fish and Game, 1995.
Department of Conservation
Evaluation Study
Statewide
evaluation of education materials using surveys, interviews and focus group
sessions for the Division of Recycling, California Department of Conservation,
1995.
Environmental Education
Training Program
Park ranger training program for the State of California,
Department of Parks and Recreation, 1994–1995.
Golden Cup Discovery Trail
Recipient of 1994 Print and Media Design Award, National Association for
Interpretation.
Design and production of interpretive brochure and wayside exhibits at Crystal
Lake for the U.S. Forest Service/Angeles National Forest, 1994.
Energy Resource Center
Conceptual plan development and exhibit writing for 43,000 sq.
ft. Energy Resource Center for The Gas Company, 1993–1995.
West Fork of the San
Gabriel River
Design and fabrication of wayside exhibits at the San Gabriel
River for the U.S. Forest Service/Angeles National Forest, 1994.
Curriculum Development,
University of California Natural Reserve System
Environmental education program design for Elkus Ranch at Half
Moon Bay in cooperation with the University of California at Davis, 1994.
Wildlife Refuge Feasibility
Study
Long-range feasibility study for the Wildlife Waystation for a
proposed 90,000 acre wildlife refuge and zoo facility in Arizona, in conjunction
with Non-Profit Management Resources, 1994.
Human Communities
Environmental Education Compendium
Research and development of compendium project for the State of
California, California Energy Commission and Department of Education, 1993–1994.
Caring for the Land Exhibit
Recipient
of 1994 Excellence in Education Award, Western Fairs Association.
Design of two-acre environmental education facility at the Los Angeles County
Fairplex, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service,
California Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and Los Angeles
County Fire Department, 1993.
Whispering Pines Trail
Guide
Design and writing of
Journey through the Whispering Pines
publication for
the U.S. Forest Service/San Bernardino National Forest, 1993.
Grassy Hollow Visitor
Center
Interpretive planning and exhibit writing for Grassy Hollow
Visitor Center, U.S. Forest Service/Angeles National Forest, 1993–1994.
Alandale Ranger Station
Design and fabrication of Watchable Wildlife wayside exhibits at
Alandale Ranger Station, U.S. Forest Service/San Bernardino National Forest,
1993.
Curriculum Development for
Texas A & M University
Development of Texas A & M University science curriculum program
for the middle school level, 1993.
Curriculum Development for
Opera Pacific
Writing of curriculum guide,
Crisis in the
Wetlands, to
accompany a performance by Opera Pacific in conjunction with the National
Audubon Society/San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 1993.
Zoo Discovery Program
Recipient
of 1992 National Education Award, American Zoo and Aquarium Association and 1996
National Education Award as ZooReach, American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Design and writing of multilingual zoo interpretive program, including curricula
and interpretive media, for the Los Angeles Zoo, 1991.
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