Wildlife advocates and conservationists will examine the effects of biodiversity loss and potential solutions for a more sustainable future during a panel discussion following a film screening of "Racing Extinction" at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, in Oakes Hall 007 at Vermont Law School. The event is free and open to the public and press.

The post-film panel, moderated by Don Baur, professor of Ocean and Coastal Law at VLS, will include guests from the PETA Foundation, U.S. Department of Interior, Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, Defenders of Wildlife, and Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) at VLS.

"’Racing Extinction’ connects the dots on the causes of the wave of species extinctions and loss of biodiversity now afflicting the planet—climate change, illegal wildlife trade, unsustainable agriculture, pollution, and a rapidly expanding human population," said Baur. "While the movie forecasts dire results from the interplay of these forces, it also inspires the actions that every person can take in their own lives to make a difference and help nature recover."      

The "Racing Extinction" panelists are:

  • Heather Rally: Wildlife veterinarian, conservationist, PETA Foundation; undercover investigation team member, "Racing Extinction"
  • Holly Wheeler ’96: Attorney, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Fish and Wildlife
  • Joe Roman: Conservation biologist, Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, University of Vermont
  • Jim Stofan: Chief operating officer, Defenders of Wildlife
  • Carrie Scrufari ’16: Fellow, Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, Vermont Law School

​"We are pleased to welcome such esteemed environmental and wildlife advocates to Vermont Law School and encourage our Vermont neighbors to join us for the film and panel discussion," said juris doctor (JD) candidate Jennifer Leech ’17. "I have seen ‘Racing Extinction’ and was particularly moved by the investigative work of PETA’s Dr. Heather Rally. This event is a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the documentary’s key players and other leading voices on biodiversity loss and its effects on humanity."

From Oscar®-winning filmmaker Louie Psihoyos ("The Cove"), "Racing Extinction" utilizes "state-of-the-art equipment" and "a team of artists and activists intent on showing the world never-before-seen images that expose issues of endangered species and mass extinction." For more information about the film, visit racingextinction.com.

A reception with light refreshments will follow the screening and panel discussion at VLS. For more information, email JenniferLeech@vermontlaw.edu or visit the event Facebook page. For more information about VLS events open to the public, visit vermontlaw.edu/news-and-events.

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Vermont Law School, a private, independent institution, is home to the nation’s largest and deepest environmental law program. VLS offers a Juris Doctor curriculum that emphasizes public service; three Master’s Degrees—Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Master of Energy Regulation and Law, and Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy; and four post-JD degrees —LLM in American Legal Studies (for foreign-trained lawyers), LLM in Energy Law, LLM in Environmental Law, and LLM in Food and Agriculture Law. The school features innovative experiential programs and is home to the Environmental Law Center, South Royalton Legal Clinic, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, Energy Clinic, Food and Agriculture Clinic, and Center for Applied Human Rights. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.​