Spotlight Stories

Coastal Resources Advisor Leigh Johnson Retires

Leigh Johnson has had a massive impact on the boating industry, the well-being of our waterways, and our office as a whole. On behalf of her peers and colleagues, we'd like to wish her all the best on the journey that is retirement. Congratulations, Leigh!

The Career of Leigh Taylor Johnson

Leigh joined UCCE on June 18, 1984, working first in LA and Orange Counties. Her research and education program addressed the emerging needs of coastal and marine issues including Fisheries (salmon), Marinas and boating pollution prevention, Watershed and water quality Management, Alternative Antifouling strategies and hull-borne invasive species.

She established herself as the national and international expert on antifouling strategies and the management of hull-borne invasive species. During Full title, she acquired over 1.2 million dollars in funding for her projects.

She has been a member of The Coastal Society, International Society for Conflict Resolution (policy), International Association for Public Participation, and the Southern California Mediation Association.

Her UC service included various memberships on many of the committees of the Academic Assembly Council, and was president elect of the executive committee in 2008, as well as the Clean Vessel Act Advisory Committee of San Diego’s Coast Guard. Additionally, Leigh was invited to present a commentary on the Coast Guard’s Marine Environmental Protection and Vessel Safety Mission during the US Coast Guard Commandant’s National Review Committee on Rules and Missions.

Leigh’s awards and recognitions include: UC ANR Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Teaching; A leadership award from the San Diego Bay Interagency Water Quality Panel, The Award of Distinction from the Communicator Awards 2003 for a documentary entitled Alternatives to Copper-based boat bottom paints; Many Appex Awards of Excellence for Public relations information brochures, manuals and reports; National Sea Grant Association Judges Award for Significant impacts in collaborative communications projects; The Spotlight Award from the League of American Communications Professionals for a bilingual DVD; the San Diego Oceans Foundation Roger Revelle Perpetual Award for her research and education program on nontoxic antifouling strategies; and a commendation for developing one of the top ten papers in the 2005 Annual Prize for Excellence in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability.

 

COMMENTS BY COLLEAGUES

"Leigh is an accomplished academic nationally and internationally recognized for designing and implementing research and extension programs addressing critical issues related to marine species." -Peggy Mauk

"I have the highest respect for Leigh on both a professional and personal level. She had an outstanding extension program and is highly regarded in terms of her work on coastal water quality." -Jodi Cassel

"The research and outreach Leigh has lead over the past years is resulting in significant benefits to the people of California and beyond, and contributing to the recognition of the University of California (UC) and Cooperative Extension (CE)." -Carrie Culver