Educator, conservationist. Biology instructor at San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, Calif. (1945-1982). Author of "Sierra Nevada" (1970), "California Forests and Woodlands" (1994) and many articles on California ecology, with particular emphasize upon Central Valley and foothills regions. Although an active ornithologist early in her career, Johnston's principal scientific concern has been the struggle of California native species for survival in the face of human encroachments. Studied photography with Ansel Adams (1955-1972). Has had one-woman shows of photographs at Oakland Museum (1979) and Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite (1987). Johnston has won a National Wildlife Federation fellowship in writing and photography (1959-60) and a National Science Foundation fellowshipfor study at the Desert Biological Institute of Arizona State University (1963). She was an officer of the Committee for Preservation of Tule Elk (1970s) and has also been associated with the Mono Lake Committee (1980s).
From the description of Verna Johnston Collection, 1953-1992. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 32984653
