Field Trips and Activities

The Oregon LL.M. brings academic learning into the field, so that its students encounter actual environmental problems and the people who are working to solve them through the use of legal tools. One student described one of the field trips as "the best experience of my life." Oregon's LLM students relish their experiences outside the classroom, renewing their spirits, relaxing with nature, and reinvigorating their passions for pursuing environmental work.

LL.M. student from Spain, Telmo Esteban Fernandez, and UO law school alumna, Marianne Dellinger, join Prof. Kravchenko at the UN's Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Telmo provided research assistance for Prof. Kravchenko, Vice-Chair of the Compliance Committee for the Aarhus Convention, on a case from Spain.	Professors and LL.M. students hold international environmental law "moot court" in Eugene (above), while others participate in real hearing in Geneva (below)
LL.M.s begin a field trip to explore the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area as a model for management of a transboundary natural resource through "land use federalism."	LL.M. students find a secret spot to relax in one of the side canyons of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area during a field trip.
After meeting with Bonneville Dam officials to discuss salmon bypass devices, LL.M. students pose in front of giant hydroelectric power facility.	Encounter with one of the "small" White Sturgeons at the Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery. Serious predation by Stellar sea lions threaten the survival of Columbia River sturgeon -- yet the sea lions are an endangered species. LL.M.s discussed protection strategies for the sturgeon with Bonneville personnel.
On the road to investigate a protected archeological area where the world's oldest "sandals," made by Native American Indians more than 12,000 years ago, were found.	LL.M. students visit Newberry Crater National Monument in Central Oregon, to discuss geothermal energy potential and consensus processes for creation of protected areas.
Diamond Lake poses a difficult environmental law question: should poisons be used to remove invasive fish species that crowd out native fish? Here, the lake was drained after such a pesticide treatment.	LL.M. class inspects the protected Rogue National Wild & Scenic River.
Paul Engelmeyer, National Audubon Society, a conservation group, discusses the long-distance migration of species dependent on marine waters off the Oregon Coast.	Public interest forestry expert Tim Lillebo of Oregon Wild discusses collaborative processes to restore old growth forest conditions after long-term fire suppression.
LLM students from Chile, Ukraine, Washington, Spain, and Texas learn cross-country skiing from Prof. Kravchenko.	Creative thinking sometimes requires solitude. Students in the LL.M. program find time for that as well.
	LL.M. students and one J.D. student participate in a United Nations meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Christopher Smith commented that sitting in on the meeting of the Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Public Participation Convention "brings what you have been studying to life in a vibrant way that allows you to appreciate the complexities of international environmental law." Brook Meakins afterwards wrote that "attending the Compliance Committee Meeting was eye-opening and inspiring. The Committee works on a mix of highly academic, complex legal, sensitive diplomatic, and lofty environmental issues. Even just being in the United Nations building reminded me that my legal career possibilities are limitless." Yige was impressed by the openness and transparency of the Committee and the role of non-governmental organizations. Professor Svitlana Kravchenko is Vice-Chair of the committee.
LL.M. student Zhang Yige performs a traditional dance at the EMU ballroom in celebration of Chinese New Year.	LL.M. student visits Klamath Tribes headquarters to discuss Indian treaty rights, fish, and water supplies.
Klamath National Wildlife Refuges official explains system for obtaining water from irrigation project for wildlife needs.	Tulelake farmer discusses relationships between wildlife needs and agricultural production.
Canada geese heading south from wildlife refuge to spend winter in California.	Tribal lawyer describes competing claims on Klamath Basin resources.
LL.M. students relax at Crater Lake National Park, home of seventh deepest lake in the world.	LL.M. students from China, Rhode Island, Oregon, Korea, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Uzbekistan.
LL.M. student from China experiences a quiet moment before the day's activities.	LL.M. Professors John Bonine and Svitlana Kravchenko take a break from serious discussions.
LL.M. students from Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and foreign countries on tour of endangered watersheds.	LL.M. students from Korea and Uzbekistan try to measure a 400-year old Douglas Fir tree.
Students discuss planned research papers with LL.M. Interim Director Prof. Svitlana Kravchenko.	Professor Kravchenko takes the learning into the field at Cape Perpetua on the Oregon Coast.
Newport resident Dave Shellshear describes citizen participation efforts that protected water quality near the Hatfield Marine Science Center.	LL.M. students pose with seals protected under Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Paul Engelmeyer, Manager of the Ten Mile Creek Preserve, lectures LL.M. students on species dependent on recovery efforts at West Coast biological reserves for survival.	Star water lawyer from Uzbekistan meets some of Oregon's stars.
A light moment with a shark's jaw at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.	Professor and LL.M. student pursue "higher" education.
LL.M. Seminar class takes a break at Smith Rock State Park, a protected area in Oregon's "High Desert."	Students inspect Native American salmon nets at Columbia River treaty fishing site. LL.M. seminar with Oregon Natural Desert Association, discussing new wilderness legislation.
LL.M. field trip visits Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to discuss protected areas legislation.	Alumnae Su Jeong Suh and Dinara Ziganshina celebrate reaching their goals with Professors John Bonine and Svitlana Kravchenko, after a year of hard work in Oregon's LL.M. program.