Professor of Practice Dr. Alaí Reyes-Santos and third-year law student Abigayle Mitchell presented their research on La Piedra del Sapo, a significant Indigenous site in Puerto Rico, at the UO Center for Latino/a & Latin American Studies' spring symposium, "Roots & Rhythms: Afrodescendencia, Indigenous Heritage, and Community Empowerment in Mexico and Puerto Rico. "
As part of her fellowship with ENR's Global Environmental Democracy Project, third-year law student Corinne Gibson has created an infographic, "NCS Action Plan — Climate Superfund Bills: Funding Sky Cleanup," as a digestible public resource for understanding how the framework of Natural Resources Damages might be applied to advance carbon drawdown efforts.
We celebrated Earth Day with our traditional cake in the Wayne Morse Commons, followed by a discussion focused on the history and environmental justice implications of the Kinzua Dam, the construction of which flooded entire communities within the Seneca Nation.
This year, Clayton R. Hess Professor of Law Adell Amos gave the Frank & Elvira Jestrab Distinguished Lecture on Water at the University of Montana. A recording of her address, "State Water Code Reform: Lessons for Oregon from Across the West," is now available.
The 2025 Oregon Law Leadership Awards, also known as the "Duckies," saw Clayton R. Hess Professor of Law Adell Amos and ENR Program Assistant Madi Prue recognized as "Pillars of the Community." Madi also received the Native American Law Students Association's "Unsung Hero" Award for her contributions to the organization's mission.
Associate Professor Greg Dotson has accepted a new appointment to the Oregon Climate Action Commission. He is now supporting the Commission in their work to track trends in greenhouse gas emissions, recommend ways to coordinate state and local efforts to reduce emissions, and help prepare communities for the effects of climate change.
"[...]the U.S. Attorney General cannot stop enforcement of state or local laws simply because the Administration has different policy preferences," Associate Professor Greg Dotson told The Oregonian for an April 9th article, "Trump seeks to halt state, local climate laws, puts Oregon mandates at risk."
On Friday, April 11, the UO Green Business Initiative will present the annual Green Business Symposium with this year's theme, "Sustainable Transportation: Driving the Future of Green Business." Attend in person at UO Portland or via Zoom webinar.
The 2025 U.S News & World Report rankings place Oregon Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center at #7 in the nation, marking ENR's twentieth year as a top-15 program.
Greg Giunta, JD '24, a former fellow with the ENR Center's Energy Law & Policy Project, was recently published in LSU's Journal of Energy and Resources with his article, "Climate Change as a National Emergency: Exploring Executive Powers."
