Barry University Law Alumni Spotlight recognizes CEJ Director Jonathon J. Keene (JD '15)

 Jonathon Keene Recognized for Lifelong Advocacy and Legal Impact in Environmental Law

 Barry Law alumnus and faculty member Jonathon J. Keene, JD '15 was honored on August 15 at the 7th Annual Sustainability Conference and Green Visionary Awards Luncheon, hosted by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Keene was recognized for his work as Director of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence at Barry University School of Law. The Center received a Green Visionary Award for its dedication to environmental stewardship through legal education and advocacy.

A lifelong advocate for Florida’s natural environment, Keene has spent more than 30 years raising awareness about issues including reckless watercraft operation, overdevelopment, deforestation, and pollution. From protecting manatee habitats to preserving the aquifer, his commitment to ecological protection has been unwavering.

Originally from Orlando, Keene attended Colonial High School before earning degrees in Humanities from Valencia College and the University of Central Florida. At Barry Law, he became an active member of the Environmental Law Society and began pursuing a future in environmental law.

Following graduation, Keene practiced estate planning and probate and later worked in civil litigation across Florida’s court system. His return to Barry Law marked a turning point as he stepped into a leadership role at the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, where he now mentors students and leads programming centered on Earth-focused legal principles.

Barry Law Environmental and Earth Law Journal Call for Papers 2024-2025

Center for Earth Jurisprudence teams up with grant partners and community volunteers to improve Spring Hill Park in Deland.

On Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18, 2021, the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, along with their grant partners Green Volusia, Spring Hill CRA, the Joyce M. Cusack Resource Center, and Young Bear Environmental; joined together to plant native trees and plants, install raised planter beds with native, sustainable multi-use herbs, fruits, and vegetables, as well as to clean up and improve Spring Hill Park in the Spring Hill community within DeLand, Florida.

Residents and Volunteers plant trees at Spring Hill Park

CEJ Associate Director JT Keene was onsite helping to coordinate the volunteer effort which featured community leaders, Spring Hill residents, members of local churches, as well as several Barry Law students looking to assist in this green infrastructure project designed to not only beautify the park, but to help alleviate localized flooding during and after heavy rains in the area.

Volunteers installing raised planter beds in Spring Hill Park

Over 40 trees were planted over the course of two days, including Live Oak, Pond Cypress, Chickasaw Plum, Persimmon, Pignut Hickory, and Mulberry.  The cypress trees are natural water filters and will help to keep the pond within the park clean for the local animals that call it home.  The Plum, Persimmon, and Mulberry trees provide edible fruit, and the oaks provide acorns which can be ground and used as seasoning and as a flour substitute for the community.

A variety of trees will improve Spring Hill Park, and provide fruit and other resources to the community

The raised planter beds feature a variety of native plants that include peppers, a number of herbs, and three different strains of blueberry, all of which can be harvested and used by the Spring Hill residents. Most of what was planted during this project was chosen after consulting with residents on what they would like to have access to in a sustainability garden, as well as what made sense to grow in the park when considering the year-round climate in north-central Florida.

One of three raised planter beds featuring herbs, grapes, and peppers

Under the direction of project supervisor Daniel Young of Young Bear Environmental, the crew of volunteers overcame the heat, the afternoon downpours, and the hundreds of pounds of pine bark mulch that was spread around each planted tree over the course of three days (including Friday, September 24, when the planting project was completed).

Danny Young (Young Bear Environmental) and Shilretha Dixon (Joyce M. Cusack Resource Center)

This was all a part of an ongoing grant project with a focus on green infrastructure, and how communities can utilize it to both improve water quality and restore native wetlands, as well as help mitigate the effects of climate change within their neighborhoods.  The next segment of this grant project will entail a “Resilience Team Academy” in which Spring Hill residents will attend a five week course to develop a team that will identify potential issues in the community and how to take action to solve those issues as they arise.

Volunteers from the Spring Hill neighborhood, Barry University School of Law, Scouts, and local church organizations took part in this three day effort

Earth Law Becoming A Major Part of Legal Education

In Spring 2021, Director Margaret R. Stewart of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence at Barry University will be teaching one of the first law school courses using Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law— A Guide for Practitioners as the guiding text. This is the first legal coursebook comprehensively addressing ecocentric law and jurisprudence. The Earth Law (Jurisprudence) Survey course is a three credit course that contributes to the Environmental and Earth Law program at Barry University School if Law in Orlando, Florida.

“Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law—A Guide for Practitioners is a book for students and practicing lawyers who seek to preserve a habitable planet and question whether current environmental law is sufficient for the task.”

This is an important step in incorporating Ecocentric legal studies into our educational systems around Mother Earth. Thanks to Anthony Zelle, Grant Wilson, Rachelle Adam, and Herman Greene of the Earth Law Center for spearheading this important endeavor.

Forever Chemicals: Forever Altering the Legal Landscape

Forever Chemicals: Forever Altering the Legal Landscape

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, have become the talk of the town in recent years for good reason. These persistent and dangerous chemicals have been used in a myriad of household and industrial products over the past 60 years and have ended up in the bloodstream of most living beings.

In the latest edition of the Belmont Law Review CEJ’s Director, Margaret R. Stewart, and Barry University School of Law’s Dean, Leticia M. Diaz, published an article discussing the potential health and safety concerns surrounding PFAS. The authors compared the United States’ regulatory approach of similar toxic environmental justice issues and proposed potential solutions that invoke the precautionary principle. Due to the scientific uncertainty surrounding the extent of PFAS contamination and its effects on human health and the environment, precaution must be taken when legally addressing these forever chemicals to prevent its continued negative impacts until the requisite data is collected.

The ever-developing nature of this imminent environmental concern has produced many updates since the article, found HERE, was submitted. For example, since February 2020, the EPA has been reviewing public comments to determine future potential rule making pursuant to PFAS and the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Furthermore, dozens of pieces of legislative have been proposed at the federal and state levels to increase regulation of these forever chemicals.

Stay tuned for more updates regarding one of the greatest environmental justice concerns to date.

For an informative and entertaining summary of PFAS chemicals and the harm they pose, check out this piece from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah which aired March 5, 2020.

CEJ Director Speaks with Tampa Bay Times on Preemption in Florida

“This illusion that human good can be achieved at the expense of everything else in the ecosystem, it’s just crumbling before our eyes,”

CEJ's Director, Margaret Stewart, spoke with the Tampa Bay Times about the Florida legislature's attempts to circumvent the efforts of local advocates and ban any recognition of the rights of Nature in the state. This article can be found here.

CEJ Director Speaks with Florida Record on Rights of Nature

The piece can be found here.

Call for Papers!

The Barry University School of Law’s Environmental and Earth Law Journal is calling for submissions! Please see the following request from CEJ’s Earth Law and Policy Fellow and Editor-In-Chief, Marcela Romero Mosquera.

The Barry University School of Law Environmental and Earth Law Journal (EELJ) promotes new visions and perspectives on Social and Ecological Justice, as well as facilitates an enlightened discourse on issues and topics affecting human populations and the natural world. The Journal strives to publish articles that are valuable research tools for students, attorneys, judges, and legal scholars.

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Good afternoon fellow Environment Enthusiast:

The Environmental & Earth Law Journal is seeking papers that advance the application and practice of Environmental Law to be published on its 10th Volume, Summer 2020.

Call for Participation:

For our Tenth Volume, we seek a broad range of participants - including scholars, practitioners, elected officials, activists, community leaders and students. Paper topics should address the following areas of academic inquiry:

• Environmental Justice

• Earth Law

• Earth Jurisprudence

Submission Guidelines:

If you would like to be considered for publication in our 2019-2020 Volume 10 Issue, please submit your article through the Environmental and Earth Law Journal Digital Commons page located at http://lawpublications.barry.edu/ejejj/ 

Once you have accessed the link provided, please click on “Submit Article.” We will notify all selected participants by mail or email, depending on the submission information provided. We request that all participants provide both an email address and a mailing address.

Selected contributors must submit finished papers to the Journal no later than March 1st, 2020. If selected, Final Submissions may be of any length up to a maximum of 50 pages, in a double-spaced, 8.5 x 11-inch page format with 12-point font (10-point for footnotes). You will receive a confirmation by e-mail.

General Submission Rules:

Submitted articles cannot have been previously published, nor be forthcoming in an archival journal or book (print or electronic). Please note: "publication" in a workingpaper series does not constitute prior publication. In addition, by submitting material to Environmental and Earth Law Journal, the author is stipulating that the material is not currently under review at another journal (electronic or print) and that he or she will not submit the material to another journal (electronic or print) until the completion of the editorial decision process at Environmental and Earth Law Journal. If you have concerns about the submission terms for Environmental and Earth Law Journal, please contact:

Chase Leonard at chase.leonard@law.barry.edu or 

Marcela Romero Mosquera at marcela.romeromosquera@law.barry.edu

Selection:

Submitted articles will be judged on the following criteria: relevance to the practice of law in the specified areas, timeliness and importance of selected topic, organization, quality of legal analysis, quality of legal research, and quality of the overall writing.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Chase Leonard

Lead Articles Editor

Environmental and Earth Law Journal

chase.leonard@law.barry.edu

Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation. 

 Sincerely,

Marcela Romero Mosquera

Editor-in-Chief

Environmental and Earth Law Journal

CEJ Seeking Communications Consultant!

The Center for Earth Jurisprudence is seeking a Communications Consultant to help us develop and implement a more strategic internal and external communication plan to ultimately fulfill our mission of advancing law, policy, and governance systems aimed to legally protect the sustainability of life and health on Earth.

As the inadequacies of the current regulatory environmental law system become clearer and more pronounced, CEJ is witnessing an increased interest in the philosophy of Earth jurisprudence and the recognition of the intrinsic rights of Nature. CEJ believes the time for action is now. However, with such a small operation, collaboration and a solid communications infrastructure are key to successful change.

CEJ’s main goal is to advance law, policy, and governance systems aimed to legally protect the sustainability of life and health on Earth. We do this in a variety of ways, but our main goals are (1) to promote the cultural and legal shifts necessary for the recognition of Nature’s rights and (2) to cultivate the future advocates for Mother Earth.

CEJ believes that a stronger communications strategy and infrastructure will allow us to realize more significant impacts from our advocacy efforts.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and examples of previous work to mstewart@barry.edu.

Ecological Expression Contest!

The Center for Earth Jurisprudence announces its first Ecological Expression Contest!

In order to live in harmony with our Earth community we must understand and appreciate all beings that make up the natural world. That appreciation comes in many forms. The Center for Earth Jurisprudence is accepting your submissions depicting your appreciation of the natural world. Send us your photos or depictions of your original works of art showing your love for our Earth community!

“Nothing is art if it does not come from Nature. ”

— Antoni Gaudi

CEJ will choose the top three submissions who will receive $100.00 (first prize), $50.00 (second prize), and $25.00 (third prize) gift cards to EarthHero, an eco-friendly online marketplace where you can pick from products that are sourced, manufactured, and shipped in a way that protects our planet’s future.

Submit your photo or work of art to mstewart@barry.edu with the subject line "CEJ ECOLOGICAL EXPRESSION CONTEST" by October 31, 2019 for a chance to win and to have your photo appear on all of our online platforms. Please submit your photo or work of art with the following information:

1. Your Name

2. Your Preferred Email

3. Your Preferred Phone Number

4. Your Submission (.jpeg file format recommended)

5. Any Caption to Accompany the Submission

6. Any Social Media handles and/or website information

Through artistic expression, let’s show what it is we are fighting for!

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Contest Details

By entering this photo contest, you are granting the Center for Earth Jurisprudence permission to use your photo on our site and our other media channels in conjunction with this contest without any additional written permission. Unless otherwise instructed, the Center for Earth Jurisprudence reserves the right to use photo submissions on our site and other media channels aside from the contest. If you do not wish to give the Center for Earth Jurisprudence permission to use your photo aside from the current contest that you are participating in, please let us know within your email submission by stating, "No, I do not want to give the Center for Earth Jurisprudence permission to use my photos in other media aside from the current photo contest that I am participating in." Credit will always be attributed to the original entrant.

• Photo submissions must be original work of the contest entrant.

• The winners’ names will be announced alongside the winning submissions.

• Photos that have already been submitted to other contests currently ongoing or have already won prizes in other contests are not eligible.

• For a photo in which a person is recognizable, you must be prepared to provide a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian, to the Center for Earth Jurisprudence upon request.

• Image files created through any device capable of taking still images, such as smartphones and digital still cameras, will be accepted.

• Color and monochrome images are valid for entry.

• After judging concludes, the winners will be notified by email sent to their listed email address. The EarthHero gift cards will be sent to the same listed email address.

• The Center for Earth Jurisprudence will not share your personal information with any third parties aside from the announcement of the contest winners which will include your name. We will include your social media information if you request.

Disclaimers

• The Center for Earth Jurisprudence reserves the right to void entries that depict brand logos or other intellectual property, whether on electronic signs, posters, or in other forms, or that in its judgment are harmful to public order, go against standards of decency, or are conflicting to the goals of the contest.

• The Center for Earth Jurisprudence is not responsible for the resolution of legal issues arising from the entrants' submitted photos and will not pay any costs thereby incurred.

• The Center for Earth Jurisprudence does not bear any costs to the entrants that are incurred by entering the contest.

• Submitted entries may not be withdrawn or returned.

• The Center for Earth Jurisprudence reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, the Center for Earth Jurisprudence reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. The Center for Earth Jurisprudence reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules or other applicable law or regulation; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.

CEJ Receives Grant for Sustainibility

CENTER FOR EARTH JURISPRUDENCE AT BARRY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW RECEIVES GRANT FROM SOUTHEAST SUSTAINABILITY FUND

–The grant totals nearly $300,000 and is designed to help the CEJ promote community resilience.–

Orlando, Fl. (Dec. 11, 2018) – The Barry University School of Law’s Center for Earth Jurisprudence (CEJ) received a grant of nearly $300,000 from the Southeast Sustainability Director’s Network (SSDN) to promote community resilience.

In a partnership with the Green Volusia Program, CEJ was awarded the grant of $299,600 over two years through the Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund. According to the SSDN, the fund is an attempt to accelerate the adoption of sustainable best practices in Southeast communities. These practices include: mitigating and/or adapting to climate change; fostering equity and inclusiveness; leveraging community partnerships; strengthening local government commitment; and demonstrating innovation and scalable solutions.

“With this grant, we are able to provide additional scholarship opportunities for our students,” said Leticia M. Diaz, Ph.D., J.D., dean and professor of law, Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law. "Our commitment to environmental resilience is a great example of how Barry University can help make a positive impact in our community.”

Margaret R. Stewart, CEJ’s director, noted the funding will help the Center “promote law and policy that protects the integrity and resilience of the entire Earth community.”

“This grant will strengthen our regional partnerships and support the creation of additional educational opportunities for Barry students,” Stewart added.

CEJ is part of Barry Law’s Center for Advanced Study of Environmental and Earth Law, which is a leader in environmental law. Through the Center, Barry offers students a comprehensive array of environmental programs, including the Environmental and Earth Law Clinic, the Environmental and Earth Law Certificate Program, the Environmental and Earth Law Journal, multiple student organizations, and the Environmental Responsibility Committee.

The Southeast Sustainability Director’s Network is a consortium of sustainability officials representing more than 50 local government officials in the Southeastern U.S. Its mission is to build capacity for community sustainability in the Southeast. The Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund is a partnership between The Kendeda Fund and The Kresge Foundation and the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network.

ABOUT BARRY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW:

Established in 1999, the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando offers a quality legal education in a caring, diverse environment. A Catholic-oriented institution, Barry Law School challenges students to accept intellectual, personal, ethical, spiritual, and social responsibilities, and commits itself to assuring an atmosphere of religious freedom. Barry University School of Law is fully accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654, (312) 988-6738.

ABOUT CENTER FOR EARTH JURISPRUDENCE:

The Center for Earth Jurisprudence furthers the mission of Barry University by extending respect, protection, and legal consideration to all beings that constitute the natural world; this includes consideration of the rights of future generations.

Their work is based on the concepts that: 1) humans are an integral part of nature; 2) we have a fundamental responsibility to protect the long-term health of nature; and 3) our current legal systems fail to recognize nature's rights to exist and flourish.

Media Inquiries:

Angelo Milone

321.206.5722

amilone@barry.edu

CEJ Recognizes Indigenous Peoples' Day with Discussion on Environmental Justice

CEJ recognized #IndigenousPeoplesDay with a discussion on social justice and how it intersects with environmental advocacy. Front-line communities and people of the global majority are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, so it is important that we take these opportunities to not only acknowledge this, but work towards solutions resulting in a more equitable world.

“Each Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.”

— President William Jefferson Clinton, upon signing of Executive Order #12898 in 1994

We were joined by Barry University School of Law’s Nadia B. Ahmad. Professor Ahmad’s research explores the intersections of energy siting, the environment, and sustainable development and draws on international investment law and corporate social responsibility. She has published over 30 scholarly articles and book chapters. In 2016, she was recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree for her leadership and community involvement.

In 1991 at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, Dorceta Taylor, an environmental sociologist known for her work on both environmental justice and racism in the environmental movement, proposed the Principles of Environmental Justice (pictured below). In these 17 principles she identified 25 different issues, including protection from contamination and polluting industries, environmental policy based on mutual respect, and demands for numerous rights and other capabilities: equal participation, self-determination, ethical and sustainable land use, a healthy community and work environment, and social and environmental education. These original principles explicitly identified indigenous issues, such as treaty responsibilities and relationships between culture and nature.

Please follow the Center for Earth Jurisprudence for more discussions with local experts on issues affecting our relationship with Mother Earth and our fellow members of the Earth community.

Meet Our Summer 2018 Earth Law and Policy Fellows!

CEJ is pleased to introduce our Summer 2018 Earth Law and Policy Fellows! To learn more about these incredible Barry University School of Law students and our Fellowship program, head over to our Fellowship page.

Become an Earth Law and Policy Fellow Today!

Become an Earth Law & Policy Fellow Today!

 ¨ Do you want to enact positive change locally, nationally, and internationally?

¨ Do you want practical experience in the field of law and policymaking?

¨ Are you a Barry Law 2-3L?

 If you answered “Yes” to the above, apply for the

Center for Earth Jurisprudence’s Earth Law and

Policy Fellowship and join our team!

For more information and to apply please visit CEJ Earth Law and Policy Fellowship.

2017-18 Fellows Arlene Cuellar & Kathryn Avila; CEJ Associate Director Kelli McGee; Barry Law Dean Leticia Diaz; CEJ Director Margaret Stewart; and 2017-18 Fellows Samantha Koempel & Lizaida Guadalupe. 

Associate Director Search!

CEJ is looking for an Associate Director to help advance laws, policies, and governance systems aimed to legally protect the sustainability of life and health on Earth.

The Center for Earth Jurisprudence (CEJ) is the only Center situated within a U.S. law school fully dedicated to the advancement of legal consideration of the inherent rights of nature and the inclusion of Earth Jurisprudence courses within the law school curriculum. The Associate Director will primarily assist the Director in the design, implementation, and management of multiple aspects of the Center including research and publications, programming, public presence, enhancement of visibility and social media presence, and resource acquisition.

The Associate Director will be joining CEJ at a time of renewed vision and commitment in addressing legal, cultural, and ethical responses to the increasing global impacts of climate change and vast ecological and human suffering.

For more information and to submit your application for consideration, please visit CEJ Associate Director Search.

Cocktails, Hors D'oeuvres, & Springs Talk!

On October 18, 2017, the Center for Earth Jurisprudence hosted the Wekiva River and Springs Public Forum at the Orlando Science Center. With the Florida Springs Institute and the League of Women Voters of Orange County, CEJ welcomed over 100 members of the community to discuss the current state of our precious springs as well as what legal remedies are available to us to ensure their restoration and protection.

Attendees mixing and mingling during the cocktail hour. Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel.

The evening began with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and lively conversation between local leaders and citizens concerned about the current state of Florida’s springs.

Reps from the League of Women Voters! Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel.

CEJ Director Margaret Stewart, CEJ Fellow Kathryn Avila, and CEJ friend and volunteer Juan Palerm. Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel.

CEJ’s Director, Margaret Stewart, welcomed the night’s attendees and introduced the program, beginning with Dr. Robert Knight of the Florida Springs Institute. Dr. Knight discussed the current state of our springs, specifically in Central Florida, and shared some actions we can all take to help mitigate damage and restore them to healthy levels.

Dr. Robert Knight, Florida Springs Institute, Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel

CEJ’s Director returned to the stage to explain the legal remedies and protections currently available to our springs and what the requirements are for each. While this discussion was cut short due to time constraints, the overall conclusion was that while the Wekiva River Basin is one of the most heavily protected water bodies in the state, the execution of these protections is still wanting and stronger, more comprehensive approaches are needed.

CEJ Director, Margaret Stewart, Photo courtesy of Katrina Garvin Shadix

Panelists Drew Bartlett, Marty Sullivan, and Aliki Moncrief.

The evening concluded with a panel made up of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Deputy Secretary of Ecosystem Restoration Drew Bartlett, Marty Sullivan of the League of Women Voters, and Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director of the Florida Conservation Voters (Unfortunately, Senator David Simmons was unable to participate as promised).

The Panel was moderated by Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine who opened with an extended prologue on his work to address the septic tank problems in Central Florida. Following this, the panel picked up with the question posed at the end of the legal discussion: How is the Comprehensive Water Bill working so far?

The panel discussed at the length the pros and cons of the Bill as well as the need for proper appropriations of Amendment 1 funds. The questions posed by the audience were indicative of the widespread concern for the health and longevity of our springs.

Attendee asking a question of our esteemed panel. Moderator Lee Constantine, Panelists Drew Bartlett, Marty Sullivan, and Aliki Moncrief. Photo courtesy of Katrina Garvin Shadix.

CEJ remains committed to spreading awareness of the problems facing our ecosystem locally, nationally, and internationally through educational outreach programs such as the Wekiva River and Springs Public Forum. Stayed tuned for more programs coming soon!

Barry Law Students. Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel.

Volunteer Susan Burhoe welcoming our guests. Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel.

Barry Law Environmental and Earth Law Clinic students with director, Rachel Deming. Photo courtesy of CEJ Fellow Samantha Koempel.

Wekiva River and Springs Public Forum

Please join us TOMORROW for an evening of food, beverages, and Springs education!

The Center for Earth Jurisprudence, the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, and the League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida invite you to join us for a free informational program on restoring the Wekiva River and Springs. 

The event will feature speakers on current springs science and policy. Dr. Robert Knight, Executive Director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, will kick off the forum with an update on the science and current environmental health of the Wekiva River and Wekiwa Springs. Margaret Stewart, Director of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, will address current springs protection laws and what progress has been made to restore our local springs. 

The event will conclude with a panel discussion featuring local and state leaders on water initiatives for the upcoming 2018 legislative session.
 

Moderator

Commissioner Lee Constantine
Seminole County Board of Commissioners District 3

Panelists

Senator David Simmons
Florida Senate, Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee

Drew Bartlett
Deputy Secretary for Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Aliki Moncrief, Esq.
Executive Director, Florida Conservation Voters Education Fund

Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m.

Please register at lwvoc.org. We hope to see you there!

CEJ Leadership Transitions

With equal sadness and excitement, CEJ would like to announce our current Director, Traci Deen, is transitioning into a new role as Executive Director of the Conservation Trust for Florida. There, she will be overseeing state-wide land conservation efforts to protect Florida’s wild and working lands. Please join us in congratulating her as she enters this new and exciting chapter!

Margaret Stewart, CEJ’s Associate Director, has accepted a promotion to serve as CEJ’s Director. She has been with CEJ since early 2016, has her J.D., her LL.M, and a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management.  She currently serves on the Executive Committee and as Legal Chair for the Florida Springs Council. She is on the Board of the Orange County League of Women Voters and serves as the Natural Resources Chair. She’s a member of the Florida Bar, the Central Florida Women Lawyers Association, the Orange County Bar Association, and is a member of the Environmental & Land Use Law and Public Interest Law sections of the Florida Bar.

In her time at CEJ, she has created educational forums throughout the United States and abroad, worked with the team in the generation of strategic partnerships, assisted with CEJ communications, including social and print media, and oversaw the well-being of the Center in many ways. Margaret is responsible for the identification and application of grants and other fundraising initiatives that have supported the Center’s continued work. She also serves as the key Advisor to three law students that work with the Center as Earth Law & Policy Fellows.

While in law school herself, Margaret earned her Environmental & Earth Law Honors Certificate, served as Secretary of the Environmental Law Society, Senior Editor of the Environmental & Earth Law Journal, and worked two semesters in the Environmental and Earth Law Clinic. There, her research focused mainly on the Public Trust Doctrine’s application in Florida and issues regarding fracking. She was awarded the Charles A. Modica Student Mentor Award in recognition for her care and compassion on mentoring fellow students, an acknowledgment she takes great pride in. As an Honors Board member of the Moot Court team, Margaret argued in the Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, advancing to the semifinals in 2015.

We have no doubt that she will excel in this role, and will continue to bring her passion for environmental protection to the table as she leads the CEJ team. We will be hiring an Associate Director to fill her position in the near future.

We are confident that CEJ will remain strong and healthy as we transition into our new roles, due in no small part to our Advisory Board, our incredible staff, and the support of Barry University.

Thank you all,

The CEJ Staff

Earth Law and Policy Fellowship!

CEJ is looking for motivated and enthusiastic Barry Law students to work with us this semester!

For more information about this competitive, paid fellowship please visit https://barryu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/BarryUStudentJobs/job/Orlando--Law-Campus/Earth-Law---Policy-Fellow_R0001815-1

Application Deadline: August 21, 2017.

Wekiva River and Springs Public Forum