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

Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report promotional image

Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Big Grove Brewery Iowa City
Join for a public presentation of findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Resource Assessment (CISWRA) report.
From the Driftless to the Delta: Rethinking Water Protections in the Mississippi River Watershed  promotional image

From the Driftless to the Delta: Rethinking Water Protections in the Mississippi River Watershed

Thursday, October 30, 2025 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Boyd Law Building

Join us for a timely panel discussion exploring how states, communities, and advocates are responding to the regulatory and environmental uncertainties left in the wake of the Sackett v. EPA decision. With a focus on wetlands and water protections across the Mississippi River watershed—from the bluffs of the Driftless Region to the bayous of the Delta—this conversation brings together regional experts to highlight innovative legal, policy, and collaborative approaches for safeguarding critical...

Finding Common Ground: Bypassing Polarization on Energy Issues Fireside Chat promotional image

Finding Common Ground: Bypassing Polarization on Energy Issues Fireside Chat

Monday, November 3, 2025 12:10pm to 1:10pm
Virtual

The Private Sector and the Planet: Environmental Governance Across Industries series presents:

Watch Party – Finding Common Ground: Energy and Bipartisanship
Join us for a live watch party of “Finding Common Ground: Bypassing Polarization on Energy Issues,” featuring former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, a nationally recognized leader in clean energy and pragmatic policymaking. Hosted by Vanderbilt Law School, this conversation explores how collaboration can drive real progress on...

 Student Stories: Reflections on Summer Environmental Law Internships  promotional image

Student Stories: Reflections on Summer Environmental Law Internships

Thursday, November 20, 2025 12:45pm to 1:15pm
Boyd Law Building

Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative and the Iowa State Bar Association for a dynamic session spotlighting Iowa Law students who spent their summer immersed in environmental law and policy work across the state, region, country, and world! Through 3–5 minute lightning talks, these future environmental leaders will share insights from their internships—from litigation and advocacy to research and regulatory practice. This session highlights the real-world impact of HELI’s experiential...

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