Vermont Law School forms partnership with National Wildlife Federation
SOUTH ROYALTON — Vermont Law School’s Environmental Advocacy Clinic will serve as legal counsel to National Wildlife Federation.
National Wildlife Federation’s legal advocacy director, Jim Murphy, also will serve as director of the Environmental Advocacy Clinic.
The clinic’s first case for the federation is a legal challenge to Pebble Mine, a proposed copper and gold mine that threatens Bristol Bay, Alaska, the world’s most productive wild salmon fishery, according to a news release from the law school.
“This exciting partnership will strengthen the National Wildlife Federation’s legal capacity to address the wildlife crisis and ensure our bedrock environmental laws are applied and enforced to protect habitat, people, and vulnerable communities,” Murphy said in the release. “Whether it is protecting America’s most treasured places like the rich salmon fisheries of the Bristol Bay, advancing responsible stewardship of our public and working lands, or protecting our most vulnerable communities, this partnership will help the National Wildlife Federation and its 52 state and territorial affiliates ensure our wildlife and natural resources endure for future generations.”
Formerly known as the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, the Environmental Advocacy Clinic will continue as Vermont Law School’s in-house clinic that operates as a public interest law office and teaches students how to be lawyers by representing clients in need, according to the release.
“The National Wildlife Federation is an iconic figure in the U.S. National Wildlife Federation’s national scope and deep history of natural resource conservation make it the perfect NGO partner for our Environmental Advocacy Clinic,” Jennifer Rushlow, Associate Dean for Environmental Programs at Vermont Law School, said in the release. “By representing NWF, our students will co-pilot key policy and environmental outcomes across the country.”
Thetford, Fairlee town clerks honored at conference
FAIRLEE — Thetford Town Clerk Tracy Borst and Fairlee Town Clerk Georgette Wolf-Ludwig were recognized for being the first clerks to earn a Certified Vermont Clerk, Summa Cum Laude, designation during the annual Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association conference in Fairlee.
Borst and Wolf-Ludwig earned the designation by completing continuing education courses, attending workshops, participating in the association and serving “with distinction” in their towns, according to a news release from the clerks and treasurers asssociation. In order to earn Summa Cum Laude, Borst and Wolf-Ludwig completed a three-year program at the New England Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy, served on the Vermont association’s executive board or education committee, and served on a regional or national board that represents clerks.
Wolf-Ludwig has been Fairlee’s town clerk since January 1994, when she was appointed after having served as assistant Town Clerk beginning in 1990. She was elected in March 1994 and is the president of the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association.
Borst has been town clerk in Thetford since March 2003 and was appointed town treasurer in June 2018. Borst is the first vice president of the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association and will become board chairwoman of the New England Municipal Clerks Institute in November.
CHELSEA — Safeline was awarded an $8,810 grant from the Couch Family Foundation to support its advocacy program for children and families undergoing the investigative interview process for allegations of sexual or severe physical abuse.
Safeline, a domestic violence and sexual abuse advocacy and support services nonprofit, has advocates who accompany children and their families to the Orange County Special Investigations Unit/Child Advocacy Center (SIU/CAC) interviews initiated by reports from the police and the state Department for Children and Families (DCF), according to a news release from the organization.
“We are tremendously grateful to the Couch Family Foundation for their recognition and support of Safeline’s work to help children and families reeling from an abusive situation,” Safeline Executive Director Linda Ingold said in the news release “Our advocates serve as calm, knowledgeable and empathetic guides to families struggling through what is often one of the worst moments of their lives.”
— Staff reports