Former Botanical Gardens Director Recognized for Contributions to Horticulture Industry

Posted by Johnny Eppich|August 13, 2021

The San Diego County Flower & Plant Association (SDCF&PA) awarded the Industry Icon Award at its recent awards dinner. This year’s award, which recognizes exemplary contributions to the county’s horticulture industry, went to Julian Duval, Former Botanic Garden Director and longtime leader of the San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG).

Duval was the first Executive Director of Quail Botanical Gardens, now SDBG. As a longtime zoo curator and director, he developed an appreciation of floras and faunas from countries including the U.S., the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala before taking over SDBG.

Since making San Diego his home in 1995, Duval has dedicated himself to the county’s horticulture industry. He has been honored with awards, including the San Diego Horticultural Society Horticulturalist of the Year Award, the American Horticultural Society Professional Award, and the Paul Ecke Jr. Award in Excellence.

Duval retired as President and CEO Emeritus of the SDBG in 2019. He and his wife, Leslie Duval, lived on-site at the SDBG for nearly 25 years. They now live in Vista, CA, where both are enjoying retirement, and Duval is absorbed in his own private botanic garden.