And the 2005 Howard Bell Award goes to.... Jenny and Marty Rigby of Acorn Naturalists! Article adapted from their nomination by Michael Charnofsky
Jenny accepting the award at the COSA meeting Friday		Marty after accepting the award Saturday night: L-R: Janice Smith, AEOE Historian with the "stump" on the Howard Bell Plaque, Marty Rigby and son Ben, John Conant with more Howard Bell winners - this award has been given for 50 years, so there are lots of names!

AEOE is pleased to honor Jenny and Marty Rigby of Acorn Naturalists with the 2005 Howard Bell Award. Both former teachers, Jenny and Marty Rigby have done incredible work for Outdoor Environmental Education! Most naturalists are aware of their business, Acorn Naturalists, and the important work it has done supplying outdoor educators with the tools they need, as well as educating and inspiring classroom teachers and parents to take their students/families outside to learn about nature.

What most naturalists don't know about is what they do beyond their direct business. Jenny Rigby is very active supporting the implementation of legislation that has benefited Environmental and Outdoor Education. Jenny was one of the leaders and creators of the California Plan for Environmental Education, and she worked hard to make sure AEOE's point of view was included in the final version. Jenny is the Director of the Acorn Group, which, among other things, develops environmental education and interpretation displays at nature centers, botanic gardens, and other nature-oriented organizations. Currently, Jenny is a leader in the implementation of the Education and Environment Initiative, or AB 1548, which she believes could have a huge impact on the quantity and quality of Environmental Education that is taught in our schools and throughout California. Jenny was also one of the founding members of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), and she is currently a regional representative for the Environmental Education section of NAI.

Marty Rigby, when I've seen him in action, is a tireless worker at the Acorn Naturalists booth at environmental education fairs and science conferences. Sure, it's his business, but his true passion is to educate and provide resources for the teachers that are browsing and buying materials. Marty is the main force behind the creation of the Acorn Naturalists Catalog, reading all of the books (really!) and material they sell, writing the descriptions, and making sure the catalog production goes well. Marty is the Director of Operations of Acorn Naturalists

Marty and Jenny have donated their space at the Acorn Naturalists building for biweekly natural history talks put on by the Orange County Natural History Association, and they are usually filled to capacity. They allow groups like AEOE (four times now), GSEEC (the Golden State Environmental Education Consortium), the Orange County League of Conservation Voters (OCLCV), and many others to meet at their building for free. Many Environmental Education organizations do not have a physical home, and the Rigbys are very generous donating their space. OCLCV just gave Acorn Naturalists the "2005 Most Environmental Business of Orange County" award.

And speaking of their building, called the Center for Science and Environmental Education, it is a beautiful example of sustainable development, right in the heart of Orange County. The landscaping is 100% California Natives, which serves to educate the public that a California Native Xeriscape can be beautiful, while establishing habitat for native animals. They worked hard to get the local government approval and community support for a building and parking lot drainage system that waters their native plants with run-off, and filters pollutants and toxins from the water before it enters the storm drain system. Their entire center is designed to be as energy and resource conserving as possible. Acorn Naturalists is a perfect example of a socially and environmentally responsible business, one that AEOE supports with our business, and now honors with the Howard Bell award.

Jenny and Marty are big supporters of AEOE. They help with publicity by sending out hundreds of AEOE conference fliers in late February, March and April in all of the boxes they ship out to customers in California. Jenny publicizes the conference through her contacts at NAI and during natural history talks at the Center. They gladly donate products at our conference to sell at fund-raising auctions and give away as prizes. And besides all of this, they are also really nice people. Everyone I have spoken with about the Rigbys, including their employees, have only wonderful things to say.

Jenny and Marty Rigby have dedicated their lives and business to supporting and enhancing environmental and outdoor education in California and beyond, and are truly deserving of the honor of the Howard Bell Award!

Visit the Acorn Naturalists store online at acornnaturalists.com or in Old Town Tustin, if you are in Southern California, at 155 El Camino Real, Tustin, California, 92780 (Open Monday through Saturday, 10am - 5pm) Get More information and directions

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