VJEL Newsroom

Announcing VJEL’s 2023 Symposium: We’re Bringing Nature Back (Nov. 18th)

By VJEL

November 13, 2023

The Vermont Journal of Environmental Law is pleased to announce its upcoming symposium, “We’re Bringing Nature Back,” on November 18, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s symposium is set to inspire an influential and forward-thinking conversation on the restoration of natural ecosystems as a key strategy to battle climate change and tackle social challenges. This year’s event will have an influential keynote speaker and four dynamic panel discussions, each exploring critical aspects of nature-based solutions.

This year’s symposium features Professor Mary Christina Wood from the University of Oregon Law School as the keynote speaker.

Mary Christina Wood is the Philip H. Knight Professor of Law at the University of Oregon and serves as the Faculty Director of the law school’s nationally acclaimed Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center. She is an award-winning professor and a co-author of leading textbooks on public trust and natural resources law. Professor Wood is a frequent speaker on climate issues. She has garnered both national and international attention for her pioneering sovereign trust approach to global climate policy. Her expertise and contributions to the environmental law field make her a distinguished and influential figure in environmental and natural resources law.

This keynote address promises to offer profound insights into the innovative legal approaches necessary to combat climate change and to effectively restore ecosystems. Additionally, her keynote address is set to appear in Volume 25 of the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.

International Implementation Panel: A Global Perspective on Nature-Based Solutions

The International Implementation panel will scrutinize the diverse definitions and applications of nature-based solutions on an international scale to address climate change. By examining the various approaches and policies adopted by different countries, the symposium aims to lay the groundwork for developing universal best practices for the betterment of our planet.

Moderator: Professor Yanmei Lin, Deputy Director, U.S.-Asia Partnership for Environmental Law, VLGS

Panelists:

Margot Clarvis, Head of Nature Based Solutions, C-Quest Capital

Deandrade Fabiano, Chair, IUCN World Commission

Zhiyu Huang, Associate Professor, Law School of Nanchang University, China

Indigenous Peoples Contributions to Climate Solutions Panel: Honoring Indigenous Wisdom

In many instances, nature-based solutions derive their success from the effective incorporation of Indigenous knowledge. This panel recognizes the indispensable role of Indigenous communities in ensuring the long-term sustainability of nature-based solution initiatives. The panel advocates for empowering Indigenous communities to lead decision-making processes, acknowledging their deep-rooted wisdom as a cornerstone of effective climate solutions.

Moderator: Mia Montoya Hammersley, Director of the Environmental Justice Clinic, VLGS

Panelists:

Missy Crow, Southeast Regional Representative, Indigenous Environmental Network

Rebecca Jim, Founder, Local Environmental Action Demanded (L.E.A.D) Agency

Earl Hatley: Co-Founder and President, Local Environmental Action Demanded (L.E.A.D.) Agency

Vickie Sutton, VLGS: Founding Member of the National Congress of American Indians, Policy Advisory Board

Biodiversity Panel: Safeguarding Diversity for Climate Resilience

The Biodiversity panel will delve into the pivotal role that preserving biodiversity plays in the fight against climate change. Biodiversity is not merely an element of ecosystems, but an indispensable component of nature-based solutions projects’ long-term viability. Considering the alarming exponential loss of species, the symposium will underscore the urgency of conserving as many species as possible to strengthen our collective capacity to combat climate change.

Moderator: Professor Delcianna Winders, Director, Animal Law and Policy Institute, VLGS

Panelists:

Jamey Fidel, JD/MSEL’01, General Counsel and Forest & Wildlife Program Director, Vermont National Resources Council

Mackenzie Landa, LLM’16, Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of the Interior

Jennifer Rubis, Indigenous People Specialist, Green Climate Fund

Amy Sheldon, Vermont State Representative for Addison County

Blue Carbon Panel: Unleashing Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Restoration

The Blue Carbon panel will focus on the many benefits of ocean and coastal ecosystem restoration, shedding light on the broad range of advantages beyond climate change mitigation. The discussion includes insight into how legal frameworks can create a variety of restoration projects that have far-reaching benefits for both humanity and ecosystem health.

Moderator: Pat Parentau, Professor Emeritus, VLGS

Panelists:

Dr. Adam Orford, Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law

Cymie Payne, Associate Professor, Rutgers University

Mark Ram, Lecturer, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, South America

Anastasia Telesetsky, Professor of Law, California Polytechnic State University

Presentations Between Panels: Bringing Nature-Based Solutions to Life

The symposium will also host speakers for short presentations between panels:

Creating Just Transition in Agriculture: the 10 Agroecology Principles

Ilinca Johnson: JD’26

Wetland Function of Chadwick Meadows in Sutton, New Hampshire

Alexander Simoneau MFALP’24

A Vision for Community Based, Collaborative, and Sustainable Farming

White River Land Collaborative

How Municipalities Can Utilize Nature Based Solutions for Flood Resilience

Christina Ramsey JD/MCEP’25 and Ashton Danneels JD/MELP’25, Staff Editor, VJEL

In addition, there will be a silent auction fundraiser running throughout the duration of the symposium. Proceeds will benefit the VLGS Animal Law Society and the White River Land Collaborative. Winners will be announced after the final panel.

The Vermont Journal of Environmental Law’s symposium promises to be an influential event. The symposium will bring together thought leaders, experts, and advocates from diverse fields to explore innovative approaches for addressing climate change, restoring ecosystems, and tackling societal challenges. Through these panel discussions, attendees will gain valuable insights into the pressing issues of our time and contribute to forging a sustainable path forward using nature-based solutions.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, November 18

Time: 8 a.m. registration and opening remarks, panels begin 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

Location: Chase Community Center

Livestream: Available at https://vermontlaw.edu/vjel-2023

For a full schedule of the Symposium, visit the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law’s Symposium page: https://vjel.vermontlaw.edu/fall-2023-symposium.

Questions?

For inquiries, please contact: nbssymposium@vermontlaw.edu

Or reach out to Jennifer Bass at JenniferBass@vermontlaw.edu or Katlyn Schafer at KatlynSchafer@vermontlaw.edu

For more about the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, read our About page.

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