New department head for plants, soils and climate
Professor Paul Johnson, the recently appointed department head of the plants, soils and climate department, plans to implement an undergraduate degree in climate science.
Though there is still no official, finalized plan, Johnson said he sees it coming together in the near future.
“It’s more than just what’s going on in the atmosphere; it’s the relationship between the atmosphere, what’s happening up there and what’s going on down here on the ground,” he said. “It’s more than atmospheric science. It’s how that relates with plants, with soils and what we do as humans too.”
Johnson, who served as interim department head for nine months before fully taking responsibility for the position, has been part of university faculty since 1998, working as an assistant, associate and full professor. Johnson studies plant science, specializing in landscaping, ornamental horticulture and turf.
Johnson is part of the Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping, a group of scientists who work to improve the efficient water use for landscape irrigation, studying the interactions between people, water and plants or, as he said, the “people issues.”
“It’s all intertwined,” he said. “In order to have the urban landscapes we need the water, but it’s also to make the best use of that as we can. So it’s centered around conserving water.”
Johnson is from a small town in Iowa where the majority of land is tilled for farming. His father discouraged him from becoming a farmer, so Johnson found his passion in plants, studying turfgrass at Iowa State University then pursuing a master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota.
“(I) just became fascinated by them as plants and how they’re essential in the urban places we live because they’re one of the few things we can actually trample on, we can play on; we can do things, and they still grow,” he said.
The plants, soils and climate department currently has between 180 and 200 students, more half of whom study at distance campuses in areas like Salt Lake City and Kaysville. Johnson said he loves Utah State University’s smaller campus but also enjoys the opportunity to work with students along the Wasatch Front.
“It might be a little different, (but) we can’t forget them because they are an essential part,” he said. “And they’re great students; it’s fun to teach down there.”
Johnson said he plans to continue interacting with students by reaching out to clubs and being available for all students. His advice for the students in his department, applicable to all, is to be involved with all the happenings at USU.
“Take advantage of all the opportunities here at the institution,” he said. “Just be engaged in everything that’s happening and make the most out of your years here.”
— manda.perkins@hotmail.com
Twitter: @perkins_manda