# Huey Johnson

Huey Johnson (January 6, 1933 – July 12, 2020) was an American environmentalist, noted as a prolific organizer of NGOs. Among other organizations, he founded the Trust for Public Land and the Resource Renewal Institute (RRI), a non-profit organization that deals with environmental sustainability. Johnson served for several years as the appointed Director of the California Natural Resources Agency. He was also a vocal advocate of Green Plans.

## Early life, education, and career

Johnson was born in central Michigan. At age nine, Johnson moved with his family to Lansing, where his father worked in a General Motors assembly plant, and Huey was able to spend a lot of time outdoors. One year, he enjoyed the Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ “summer conservation camp”. His mother acquainted him with the local Carnegie Library.
Johnson earned a B.A. in biology at Western Michigan University, and an M.S. in Wildlife Management at Utah State University. His work in relation to land and resources matters developed out of his knowledge of both the history of environmental impacts within the U.S. and the millennia-long histories of environmental impacts on societies worldwide.
Johnson worked in a travelling sales position for Union Carbide, based first in San Francisco and later in Denver. Leaving that job, he settled in the Bay Area making his log-term home in Mill Valley. He worked as a seasonal biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game, and afterwards for Alaska Department of Fish and Game. In 1963, he became the western states representative for the Nature Conservancy.
Some years later, Johnson connected with environmentalists in the Bay Area circles of Dick Raymond and Stewart Brand; Raymond and Brand had established the POINT Foundation. After serving for two years on the Foundation's board, in 1973 Johnson developed the idea for the Trust for Public Land.

## Later Career

After he left the POINT board, the POINT Foundation provided Johnson some initial funds for establishing the Trust for Public Land.$^{:134}$ The first focus of the Trust was on urban and suburban parks, then on agricultural land.$^{:385}$ As of early 2025, the Trust had created 5,504 outdoor spaces, and protected 4-million acres in the U.S.
He also founded the Grand Canyon Trust and the Environmental Liaison Center, in Nairobi.
Johnson was appointed secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) with the approval of the California State Senate, during Jerry Brown's first administration. Johnson served from 1977 to 1982. A government resource-related regulatory position will always occasion some adversarial responses to policy. Johnson believed in building relationships. He publicly explained that, during his tenure, he valued opportunities to socialize informally with those who objected to parameters he put forward. Johnson’s accomplishments in the position influenced Stewart Brand to turn a corner from bohemian disaffection with government to acceptance that committed, competent governance could have a role in protection and restoration of the environment.$^{:348}$
Johnson was known for introducing Green Plans, an integrated approach to protecting and managing natural resources, to the United States. He had travelled to Norway in the late 1980s where he developed a keen interest in green plans; the Norwegians told him he’d do better to study what had been accomplished with these in the Netherlands. Green plans, which have been implemented in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and Mexico City, provide useful working models to help countries plan for a more sustainable future. Johnson founded the Resource Renewal Institute,in 1983, whose role is advocating for strategies for attaining environmental sustainability.
By the 1990s, Johnson was publicly expressing concern for atmospheric CO2 levels and global climate change. He believed that green plans could contribute to managing climate change.
In 2001, the United Nations Environmental Programme awarded Johnson the $200,000 Sasakawa Prize, considered one of the world's most important environmental awards. As well, Johnson's work in resource management has been praised by United Nations officials for having a global perspective. The United Nations has called Johnson "a catalyst and champion for environmental protection”.

## Death

Johnson died on July 12, 2020, at the age of 87.