Boyd Law Students Explore Natural Resources Law
When studying natural resources law, reading case law captures only part of the story. To truly grasp how water rights, land use, and environmental policies ripple across communities and ecosystems, law students benefit from experiencing those impacts firsthand.
Students from the William S. Boyd School of Law recently participated in Professor Bret Birdsong’s six-day Natural Resources Field Seminar. Setting up a home base at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Tahoe campus, the group engaged in a hands-on exploration across the Truckee River Basin, often referred to as the most litigated river basin in the United States
From Lake Tahoe down to Pyramid Lake, the course plunged students into the core issues shaping natural resources today, including water rights allocation, land use management, forest health and restoration, and endangered species protection. The seminar connected legal theory with real-world practice through immersive experiences. Students met directly with natural resources professionals, land-use practitioners, and environmental advocates and attorneys working around Lake Tahoe. Time spent with tribal leaders and indigenous scientists provided insight into traditional ecological knowledge and Tribal efforts to protect the fish that have always been essential to their culture. The group also toured a data center to consider the intricacies of modern industrial water demands, and attended a mixer hosted by law firm Parsons Behle and Latimer, where students connected with Boyd Law alumni, including Justina Caviglia, Ashley Nikkel, and James Bolotin, who are practicing in the field. In one of the trip's most memorable moments, Professor Birdsong led an active class discussion while students kayaked on Lake Tahoe with Laura Patten of Keep Tahoe Blue.
"I teach this field seminar because natural resources law truly comes alive when students are in the field," Professor Birdsong explained. "When we stand on the shore of Pyramid Lake or speak directly with tribal leaders and resource managers in the field, the legal doctrines become tangible. Engaging with these complex issues in the landscapes where they happen shows students the real-world impact they can make as attorneys and how the law shapes the way we live in the American West."
For the participating students, the seminar offered a candid look at practicing environmental law. One piece of advice a front-line professional shared was the importance of mastering Administrative Law, since much of the day-to-day work revolves around regulatory agency frameworks. Getting out into the field gave students fresh motivation as they work toward their future legal careers. Beyond the academic rigor, unique moments like holding class on kayaks highlighted the dynamic and engaging side of legal education at Boyd.
As a trip observer with twenty-two years in legal education noted, the seminar demonstrated the value of bringing academic theory into real-world practice. It gave students a direct look at the reach of natural resources law and the difference thoughtful legal practice can make.
