Nan Livingstone's love for the outdoors and interest in science positioned her as a key leader in establishing science coursework in the elementary grades of Allegany County at a time when science was not a prominent part of the curriculum.

Ms. Livingstone organized the first weekend camp for teachers to educate them about environmental science and ran the region's first bird camp for students in grades 4 through 12 at the Western Maryland 4-H Center for 10 years. She founded the first Junior Audubon Club for the boys and girls of Cumberland during the 1940's and was a primary organizer of the Carey Run Bird Sanctuary in Garrett County.

Ms. Livingstone was a former President of the Allegany County Bird Club where she was instrumental in bringing the world-renowned scientists and conservationists in the county for public lectures.

Ms. Livingstone received the 1992 Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award for her work as an early initiator of nature study in the public school system and as an individual public organizer for environmental concerns.