This fall, University of Iowa College of Law launched the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative for environmental law students, after receiving a $5 million donation.

The gift, donated by Iowa Law alumni Charlotte Beyer Hubbell and Fred Hubbell, supports academic and professional development, partnerships and engagement opportunities for students in environmental law. The Hubbells believe this donation will aid students in changing current and future environmental issues.

Professor Shannon Roesler has played a significant role in starting the initiative. Roesler is excited about the possibilities to “add to the curriculum and enrich the environmental law experience at Iowa.”

“When you care about climate change, you feel an urgency,” Roesler said in a release.

The initiative will support conferences and academic workshops, expand its network of environmental experts, and prepare students for careers in the expanding field of environmental law.

Iowa Law has always environmental efforts a priority according to Brian Farrell, associate professor of instruction and the associate director of the law school’s Center for Human Rights.

The Climate Legacy Initiative, a partnership between Iowa Law and the Vermont Law School looks at the human rights consequences of climate change. It was established in 2009 by the late Burns Weston, a co-founder of UICHR and former professor at Iowa Law.

The new initiative provides financial support to environmental law students, including grants for students working in related internships this fall or in the summer.

Farrell points out that there are a number of grave effects of climate change, including migration, access to food and water, and economic inequality. He notes that his students are especially passionate about these issues lately.

“Every day in the news, we’re getting this reinforcement that this is a serious issue,” Farrell said.

More information can be found about the initiative and upcoming summer scholarships at https://law.uiowa.edu/news/2022/01/introducing-hubbell-environmental-law-initiative.