The Hubbell Gift

The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) is generating opportunities for the College of Law to deepen and broaden its engagement with environmental issues in Iowa and beyond. 

HELI was created by the vision and generosity of Law Alumni Charlotte Beyer Hubbell (76JD) and Fred Hubbell (76JD) who committed the gift to establish this program. The gift, which is the largest in Iowa Law history, is intended to create an active forum for interdisciplinary engagement on important environmental issues, support law students and curriculum, and ultimately strengthen the environmental law bar in Iowa.

HELI's Strategic Focus Areas

The HELI team focuses on efforts and programs that build upon successes in the following areas: 

Supporting and Expanding Student Experiences

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HELI expands experiential opportunities for future environmental leaders

Friday, May 16, 2025
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Iowa Law Awards 2025 Hubbell Award for Excellence in Environmental Law

Saturday, May 10, 2025
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Iowa Law Environmental Moot Court Team Advances to Quarterfinals at National Competition

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Continuing the legacy of environmental law

Iowa Law is a proud Constituent Law School of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law. 

Learn more about this designation.

Follow HELI on social media:

Upcoming Events and Programming

What’s Changing with the Endangered Species Act promotional image

What’s Changing with the Endangered Species Act

Friday, September 11, 2026 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Boyd Law Building

Join Professor Roesler for an informal student conversation about recent changes to the Endangered Species Act and what they could mean for the future of species and habitat protection. The discussion will explore changes to the definition of “harm,” protections for threatened species, critical habitat, and the broader legal and regulatory questions these changes raise.

The Iowa Raptor Project will be bringing a bird for us to learn about, starting at 12:30. The ESA info session will follow.

ELS Nahant Marsh Meeting promotional image

ELS Nahant Marsh Meeting

Monday, September 21, 2026 12:45pm to 1:45pm
Boyd Law Building

Join us in welcoming Nahant Marsh. Nahant Marsh is a 382-acre preserve in Davenport, Iowa that was once an EPA superfund site. Learn more about the importance of protecting wetlands for conservation and see what a difference advocating can make! Open to 1L, 2L, and 3L.

The Farm Bill as Natural Resource Law: How America's Largest Agricultural Law Shapes Land, Water, and Climate  promotional image

The Farm Bill as Natural Resource Law: How America's Largest Agricultural Law Shapes Land, Water, and Climate

Monday, September 28, 2026 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Boyd Law Building

The Farm Bill is often viewed primarily as agricultural legislation, but it is also one of the nation’s most consequential natural resource laws. Through conservation programs, crop insurance, commodity supports, and other incentives, the Farm Bill influences how millions of acres of agricultural land are managed, and, in turn, affects water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience.

This interdisciplinary panel will explore how federal farm policy translates into decisions...

The Return of the Nuclear: Duane Arnold, Energy Security, and Iowa's Energy Future promotional image

The Return of the Nuclear: Duane Arnold, Energy Security, and Iowa's Energy Future

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Boyd Law Building

As interest in nuclear energy grows across the United States, Iowa has become part of the national conversation with the proposed restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Cedar Rapids. This timely discussion brings together leaders from the surrounding community, industry, government, environmental advocacy, and the scientific community to think through the legal, scientific, economic, and community issues raised by the proposed Duane Arnold restart. The panel will explore how policymakers...

Hidden in Plain Sight: Environmental Law Across Iowa Practice promotional image

Hidden in Plain Sight: Environmental Law Across Iowa Practice

Friday, October 30, 2026 12:45pm to 1:45pm
Boyd Law Building

Environmental law isn't just for environmental lawyers. Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative for a CLE exploring how environmental issues arise across a wide range of legal practice areas in Iowa. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, panelists will discuss environmental due diligence in business and agricultural transactions, farm succession and estate planning, land use and local government decisions, and litigation involving contamination, nuisance claims, and...

Communities as Clients: Challenges in Environmental Justice promotional image

Communities as Clients: Challenges in Environmental Justice

Friday, October 30, 2026 1:45pm to 2:45pm
Boyd Law Building

Environmental justice presents unique legal and ethical challenges that extend beyond traditional environmental law. Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative for a CLE exploring the role of attorneys representing communities affected by environmental harms. Using real-world examples from Iowa, this program will examine environmental justice principles, community lawyering, and the ethical issues that arise in representing individuals, organizations, and coalitions. Topics include...

HELI Faculty and Staff

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Jennifer Terry, JD

Title/Position
Director, Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative
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Blake Rupe

Title/Position
Program Director, Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative
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Shannon Roesler

Title/Position
Faculty Director, Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative, Moderator