Monterey Bay Aquarium’s founding director steps down after 4 decades, will join trustees

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s founding director of more than 40 years is stepping away from the position and will join its board of trustees.

Julie Packard has been the aquarium’s sole director since it opened in 1984 and helped develop several groundbreaking initiatives and exhibits, including the aquarium’s open sea exhibit, its otter rehabilitation program, and the establishment of marine protected zones off the California coast, among other efforts.