16 Facts About Julie Packard

Julie Packard helped create the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the early 1980s and is its executive director, a position she has held since its opening in 1984.

Julie Packard speaks at conferences and symposia related to ocean conservation, and writes online about current issues.

Julie Packard is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and is a recipient of the Audubon Medal.

Julie Packard graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology in 1974, and a Master of Arts in 1978, focusing on marine algae.

Julie Packard joined other members of her family in the undertaking to create Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Julie Packard became the aquarium's executive director by the time the aquarium opened in 1984.

Julie Packard chairs the board of directors of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and is a trustee of the David and Lucile Julie Packard Foundation.

Julie Packard received the Audubon Medal from the National Audubon Society in 1998 for her work in conservation and environmental protection, became a member of the American Philosophical Society in 2004, and was elected as a fellow to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009.

Julie Packard received a lifetime achievement award from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Ted Danson Ocean Hero Award from Oceana in 2004, and was named a California Coastal Hero in 2009 by the California Coastal Commission and Sunset magazine.

Julie Packard has spoken at various symposia, including the International Aquarium Congress, Our Ocean Conference, the Seafood Summit, the Global Climate Action Summit, and the United Nations Ocean Conference.

Julie Packard writes online about the ocean in the context of climate change, sustainable seafood, and the deep sea.

Julie Packard was a member of The Pew Charitable Trusts' Oceans Commission, and is a member of the leadership council for the resulting Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, which formed in 2005.

Julie Packard was granted an honorary Doctor of Science degree by California State University, Monterey Bay in "recognition of her many accomplishments as an ocean conservationist".

Julie Packard is the second female ocean conservationist to be included in the museum's collection, and it is the museum's 17th commissioned portrait.

In 2014, Julie Packard donated US$1 million to University of California, Santa Cruz to establish the "Dean's Fund for Diversity in the Sciences", which funds programs to support underrepresented minority students in science and math.

Julie Packard has given money to California State University, Monterey Bay's Division of Science and Environmental Policy.