The sun shined brightly on our gathering to honor our founder, friend and mentor, Huey Johnson. January 6, 2025, would have been Huey’s 92nd birthday, and we took the opportunity to reflect on his remarkable life and contributions that guide our path every day.

As we arrived at the Tennessee Valley picnic area, we were greeted by the new signage that describes and celebrates the story of Marincello, “The City That Almost Happened,” across 2,100 acres of the Marin headlands. The Park Service “wayside” project was shepherded by Mia Monroe, our longtime friend who retired in 2024 from her inspiring 45-year career with NPS, most recently as Marin Community Liaison. Thank you, Mia, for making it happen!

View the signage

As always, we began by reading from Huey’s 1978 address about the purpose and meaning of preserving wild places.

I find this speech more moving each year as we experience new challenges and achievements. 2025 is a year of many milestones for RRI: our 40th anniversary as an environmental organization; the 50th anniversary of Marincello becoming National Park land; the tenth anniversary of our first lawsuit to hold NPS accountable for its negligence at Point Reyes National Seashore. It was so meaningful to have you there to mark this week’s historic settlement agreement with the Park Service and rancher interveners.

I was thrilled to introduce you to our two new team members, Scott Webb and Grace Milstein. Scott is Director of Advocacy and Engagement, and Grace is leading our efforts in communications and social media outreach. And the rest of the RRI team — Chance Cutrano, Barbara Deutsch, Nancy Graalman, Susan Ives and Michael Warburton — enjoyed reconnecting with you all again.

Susan and Michael shared their own appreciations of Huey. Susan’s remarks reminded us of how deeply affected he was by The Quiet Crisis by Stewart Udall, Kenney’s Secretary of the Interior. Susan sees this work as influential to Huey’s commitment to public lands as A Sand County Almanac. Michael talked about Huey’s strategic brilliance in assessing and balancing short-term and long-term goals.

The last person to speak was Huey’s grandson Miles, who moved us with his memories of Sue, his warm and vivacious grandmother who passed away last summer. We are grateful to have had Sue in our lives. He also spoke to his grandfather’s spirit and willingness to attempt the impossible even in the most challenging times because sometimes it works! At the same time, Huey taught us to make time for ourselves, to relax, recharge, and get away from it all. Miles was joined by his family — Megan, Tyler, Jill, Bay and Jackie. Thank you all for joining us this year and every year.

And finally, a special thanks to Bob Baron, the publisher of Huey’s memoir, Something of the Marvelous. He has generously provided us with complimentary copies of both Huey’s book and his own, The Light Shines from the West. Let me know if you'd like to receive one or both books.

Along with honoring Huey, his Legacy Walk has become a chance to catch up with old friends and fellow environmentalists. Speaking for the RRI team, this special gathering gives us a boost of energy for the coming year. With Huey’s encouraging words to inspire us, we can accomplish more than we thought we could. And at this moment, as we reflect on the striking changes about to take place at Point Reyes, we’re inspired once again by Huey’s speech at the Headlands: “It will be even more beautiful fifty years from now.”

Thank you again, we look forward to connecting more in the year ahead,

We’re so happy you could join us at the Fourth Annual Huey Johnson Legacy Walk.

Settlement Reached in Long-Standing Dispute Over Ranching at Point Reyes National Seashore