​We would like to dedicate the upcoming Central and Northern California Marine Protected Area expedition to Huey Johnson, longtime environmental hero and Rebel with a Cause, who passed away this July. His environmental protection achievements are too long to list but include co-founding the Trust for Public Land, helping assemble the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (one of our most visited National Parks), founding Resource Renewal Institute and preserving Bolinas Lagoon.

Known for being blunt and pugnacious​, ​ Huey was a force who wasn’t afraid to fight industry to protect natural landscapes. Environmentalist, organizer, Secretary of Resources during the first Jerry Brown administration, his achievements constitute a life’s work of amazing scope and effectiveness. Huey was our first speaker at the MARE Soiree in 2013 and inspired attendees to understand the connection between land and sea preservation.

Huey was an early MARE supporter​, our first keynote speaker​ a wonderful mentor. Dirk Rosen, MARE’s Director, remembers salmon fishing with Huey and his dad, at age 10. Huey pulled him aside and said “Dirk, duty before pleasure”. He had no idea what Huey was talking about then, but admired and respected him so much he was determined to remember until he could understand and it became a driving theme in Dirk’s life.

We will miss Huey’s drive and passion as a trailblazer in preserving nature for future generations