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Deep Dive: George Leonard

Director of Aquaculture for Ocean Conservancy

"Diving in the kelp forests was like being in the redwoods, but underwater. I made over 400 dives in two years to learn all I could."
-George Leonard, Director of Aquaculture for Ocean Conservancy

If George Leonard, director of Aquaculture for Ocean Conservancy, were to morph into a sea creature, he'd no doubt become an octopus since his work touches all program areas of the organization. A gregarious communicator, he's a committed scientist who can dive deep into ecology and marine biology, and at the same time translate that science into everyday language so that everyone from citizens to politicians can reach sound decisions about how to protect the ocean.

Growing up in Massachusetts, George first gained access to the water by talking his father into buying a small motorboat. A sailor as well, he spent hours zipping across the ocean's surface—despite an unfortunate predisposition for seasickness. In an era when families eagerly awaited new television programs from Jacques Cousteau, George was also a child inspired to get off boats and into the water. "I got certified in scuba as early as I could, 13," says George. "It was totally amazing that this whole other world was below the surface that you simply could not see unless you watched Cousteau on television—or actually got in the ocean."

When it came time for college, George majored in biology and then pursued a masters degree at Moss Landing Marine Labs in central California. Studying kelp forest ecology was awe-inspiring: "Diving in the kelp forests was like being in the redwoods, but underwater. I made over 400 dives in two years to learn all I could."

After completing a Ph.D. in ecology and marine biology at Brown University, George stood at a crossroads. Most in his position took a path toward academic research. But an alternative to academia proved more compelling; George was inspired by Dr. Jane Lubchenco, a scientist at Oregon State University, who was exploring how to bring together the disciplines of science and policy.

George was intrigued that she was figuring out how to take good solid scientific information and apply it in a very real way so society ends up with stronger environmental protection. "I remember looking at her and thinking, ‘You're going to pave the way for a new way of thinking.'" Today, Dr. Lubchenco is administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the chief agency in charge of our ocean. And George is doing his part to promote the marriage of science and good decision making on behalf of ocean conservation.

Following five years of policy work for Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, George joined Ocean Conservancy in 2007. "I could see that change was afoot, and I wanted to ride a new wave at Ocean Conservancy and help shape that wave," he recalls. "I was impressed that President and CEO Vikki Spruill wanted to empower multidisciplinary teams to work on critical conservation issues. I liked her multipronged approach to science, communications, and policy—and I've taken that to heart as the foundation of our aquaculture work."

George works closely with Ocean Conservancy staff experts in policy, science, and communications. "Aquaculture is a great example of the challenge Vikki and Dr. Lubchenco address so well," says George. "How do you translate what we know about marine ecosystems into a regulatory framework that ensures we end up with a plan that in 10, 20, and 50 years is ecologically compatible with ocean conservation? We want to be sure policy decisions are based on the best available science. Collaboration is at the core of all our work."