Julie Packard will receive the John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award for environmental stewardship from the Central Coast State Parks Association. Photo submitted
Conservation leader Julie Packard, Founding Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA), will be the recipient of the prestigious Third Annual John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award for environmental stewardship. The award, which recognizes contributions to environmental health and public policy, honors Packard’s vision for building the MBA and the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), as well as her contributions to public environmental education, fisheries and seafood sustainability and ocean exploration, said the Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA).
As the daughter of David Packard, co-founder of the technology company Hewlett-Packard or HP, she and her siblings were empowered by their father to come up with innovative ideas for positive environmental change. Together, David, Julie, and Julie’s sister, Nancy Burnett, dreamed and planned what would eventually become the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In 1984, the year the aquarium was finished, Julie became the facility’s founding executive director and has since led the aquarium to become a global force for ocean conservation. This has been achieved through innovative exhibits and educational programs, science-based initiatives addressing sustainable seafood (Seafood Watch!), plastic pollution awareness, climate change awareness and protection of ocean wildlife and ecosystems.
“Our precious coastline and coastal waters of the Central Coast are a defining feature of our community and culture”, said Alexis Peterson, board chair of the CCSPA. “The local marine environment is important for recreation, tourism, the living resources of the sea, energy, scientific inquiry, national defense, and trade, and has inspired artists, mystics and dreamers from around the world. This heritage, this source of life, has been bequeathed to us and we have an obligation to be good stewards of our inheritance and pass it on to others. Few people have exemplified the imperative of environmental stewardship as Julie Packard. Everyone who cherishes the quality of life we have on the Central Coast owes a debt of gratitude to Ms. Packard. Everyone who believes that the oceans are a key to the survival of Spaceship Earth can learn from the energy, faith, and devotion she has given to the mission of the MBA and MBARI.”
CCSPA established the Award to honor the legacy of service of Senator John Laird, as a local elected official in Santa Cruz, a State Legislator, and as Secretary for Natural Resources for eight years during the administration of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Senator Laird today represents the Central Coast in the California Legislature as well as much of Silicon Valley.
Unbeknownst to many, Packard is also a huge advocate for the California State Parks system. As chair of the Parks Forward Commission, Julie and the commission create a guiding plan to transform state park management, modernize operations, provide access for all and ensure the long-term sustainability of our natural and cultural resources. The commission recognizes that State Parks are facing large challenges like climate change, budget cuts, oversight of additional acreage and outmoded systems. Through wholesale assessments of the park system, the commission has recommended improvements and intends to see these improvements implemented.
“It’s so important that people have opportunities to get outside and connect with the natural world,” Packard said. “And California’s State Parks play such an important role in providing those opportunities to people of all backgrounds, from all parts of the state. We need a strong and healthy State Parks system to create those opportunities.”
CCSPA was founded in 1975 to support Central Coast State Parks, advance the cause of youth education, and promote conservation of natural resources. The Laird award will be given to Packard on October 12.at CCSPA’s 5th Annual Butterfly Ball. Call (805) 548-0390 for details.
