––Vermont Law School will present “Earth Law for the Next Generation of Environmental Lawyers” with Grant Wilson, directing attorney at the Earth Law Center, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Friday, April 6, in Oakes Hall, Room 110, on the VLS campus. The talk, sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law (VJEL) and the Environmental Law Center (ELC) at VLS, is free and open to the public and press.
Wilson will discuss the origins of earth law, its impact, and how it applies in practice, as well as international laws and policies that embrace rights of nature. He also will discuss the work of the New York City-based Earth Law Center, the mission of which is “to transform the law to recognize and protect nature’s inherent rights to exist, thrive and evolve.” Wilson’s presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
“After decades of regulations, enforcement measures, and lawsuits, we are realizing the limits of our existing environmental laws to stop increasing environmental degradation,” said James Crowder JD’18, VJEL editor-in-chief. “Attorneys and advocates need to explore new paradigms for relationships between people and nature that could lead to a more sustainable environmental legal system. One of these possible paradigms is earth law, an approach involving rights of nature. We invite the greater Vermont Law School community to join us as we learn more about earth law and the important work of the Earth Law Center.”
Wilson’s April 6 talk at VLS will provide an introduction to VJEL’s next symposium, slated for Oct. 19. The symposium will address the rights of nature with speakers from around the world.
For more information about “Earth Law for the Next Generation of Environmental Lawyers,” email JamesCrowder@vermontlaw.edu.
The Vermont Journal of Environmental Law’s mission is to provide an accessible forum to discuss contemporary environmental legal issues. In addition to publishing quarterly issues and hosting an annual symposium and other events, VJEL reaches national audiences through its annual Top 10 Environmental Watch List. For more information about VJEL, visit vjel.vermontlaw.edu.
Established in 1978, the Environmental Law Center at VLS, recognized as the nation’s No. 1 environmental law program, offers more than 50 courses related to the environment and environmental law and provides unique experiential opportunities to JD and master’s students through the work of its clinics and centers. For more information about the ELC, visit vermontlaw.edu/ELC.
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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; four master’s degrees—Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Master of Energy Regulation and Law, Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy, and Master of Arts in Restorative Justice; 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, Center for Applied Human Rights, and Center for Justice Reform. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.