The consulting division of the company, The Acorn Group, specializes in advancing the field of environmental interpretation and education. Blending the skills of planners, designers, architects, and educators, the firm offers services in interpretive master planning, exhibit design, strategic planning for education, and evaluation. Acorn Group projects have been recognized nationally, receiving numerous awards, including the Exhibit Design Award, Print and Media Design Award, and Interpretive Media Award from the National Association for Interpretation, Best of Show by the Western Fairs Association, Award of Excellence by the California Parks and Recreation Society, and the National Education Award given by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.  For additional information or to view completed and current of Acorn Group projects, please click here.

Six years ago, the company fulfilled its vision of building a new Center that houses a large science and nature giftstore, expanded mail order facilities to support the catalog, and the consulting division of the company. Built in American Craftsman style, this facility is accented with slate, wood, copper trim, large paned windows, and old clinker brick and lichen-covered stonework. The oak doors that grace the front entrance were hand crafted, reflecting the spirit of the early Arts and Crafts Movement where the endeavors of individuals are held in high regard.

Acorn Naturalists Center housing the book and giftstore also reflects the company's core values of integrity and innovation. From its stormwater diversion practices and drought-tolerant native landscaping to its energy-efficient construction and in-house recycling program, the Center strives to be a model of what businesses can and should do. In recognition of this, the League of Conservation honored Acorn Naturalists with the Orange County Environmental Business of the Year Award. The cofounders and current Directors of the company were also honored with the Howard Bell Award for outstanding achievements and contributions as leaders in the field by the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education. Details of these awards can be found here.

Acorn Naturalists specializes in the development and distribution of science and environmental education resources. The directors of Acorn Naturalists, credentialed teachers with advanced degrees, carefully review each resource.  Our customer service department offers knowledgeable, personal help via phone, fax, email or regular mail.  New products, graphics and descriptive materials are added to the website daily.

In both the printed and electronic versions of our catalog, we offer many thousands of hard-to-find educational resources.  We also offer our entire print catalog in downloadable electronic format organized by category headings (click here to download). Included are kits, games, activity books, curricula, field identification guides, water quality monitoring equipment, audiovisual media, and hundreds of tools and supplies.  Our customers include educators, naturalists, interpreters, science education specialists, outdoor schools and camp staff, hikers, birders, botanists, parents and their children.

With respect to customer service, we do everything possible to give you direct, personal service.  Although we have a website for 24-hour convenience, we are a people-oriented, place-based, "bricks and mortar" operation. You can contact us directly with any questions you might have.  You can visit our store located at our Center.  At that location, we warehouse everything we offer, which means that we have direct control over fulfillment and can give you appropriate answers when you inquire about a product or order.  We know that when you call, you have a reason for doing so and that you want to talk to someone empowered to help you directly.  During regular business hours, an individual in customer service will answer your call directly.

Acorn Naturalists is directed today by the same teachers who founded the company in 1990. Acorn Naturalists is a women-owned small business enterprise incorporated in the State of California.