With its full-time staff of eight, San Diego Baykeeper has become the largest clean water advocacy organization in Southern California, a tribute to the tenacity of Bruce Reznik, its executive director since August 1999. Under Reznik’s tutelage, Baykeeper launched the Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, the International Citizen Water Monitoring Program, and kelp restoration and education efforts.

An attorney specializing in environmental law, Reznik, 34, is responsible for directing the organization’s advocacy and outreach efforts to protect and restore the bays and coastal waters of San Diego County. His successes on the job prompted the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce to name him the 2001 Outstanding Young San Diegan. Last April, Reznik was recognized by the California Jaycee Foundation as one of its 2002 Outstanding Young Californians.

“Our biggest challenge has been to foster a really effective clean water advocacy organization in San Diego,” says Reznik. “Historically, this area has been poorly funded.”

Reznik earned a degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and his juris doctorate degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He completed environmental law coursework at George Washington University.

Reznik is involved in a variety of civic and governmental activities. Gov. Gray Davis appointed him to a public advisory group assisting the State Water Resources Control Board in its implementation of a surface water ambient monitoring program and the Total Maximum Daily Load Program. He sits on the city of San Diego’s Clean Water Task Force and is the president of the California Coast Keeper Alliance. Reznik also serves on the board of the San Diego League of Conservation Voters.

Before coming to San Diego, Reznik was the senior associate at the Los Angeles-based consulting firm Gladstein & Associates, which specializes in air quality, alternative fuel and advanced transportation projects. He is credited with expanding the use of electric and natural gas vehicles in California while at Gladstein & Associates, working on behalf of electric and natural gas utilities, air quality and energy agencies and trucking and transit fleets.

Reznik, a bachelor who says, “I’m married to my work,” has a simple explanation for devoting his professional life to environmental concerns. “For me,” he says, “it’s leaving a better world for our children and their children after that. It’s my biggest passion.”

— Manny Cruz