As a summer intern at East Coast Environmental Law ("ECEL"), I conducted legal research on wetland legislation and policy in Nova Scotia, across Canada, and internationally. Through my research, I identified gaps in Nova Scotia’s current wetland protections and identified best practices in other jurisdictions. The goal of the work was to contribute to advocacy for more effective wetland stewardship in Nova Scotia using law and policy.

This summer I had the opportunity to join East Coast Environmental Law as a Legal Research Assistant. My interest in environmental law stems from a dedication to protecting the environment, which grew from my academic experience at the University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Law. Courses such as “Environmental Law” and “Global Climate Change and Governance” provided me with an understanding of analytical law and policy frameworks for evaluating environmental issues, which helped me in my research at East Coast Environmental Law.

The global biodiversity crisis, characterized by the rapid decline of species and the degradation of life-sustaining ecosystems, will have severe consequences for human wellbeing. Governments around the world must act quickly to halt biodiversity loss and achieve transformative change in the way humans interact with the environment. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and to protect and restore the world's biodiversity.

This blog post by Tricia Barry, founding Board member and current Board Secretary, is the fourth and final instalment in a Tribute and Celebration series that reflects on 15 years of East Coast Environmental Law and pays tribute to our friend and colleague Meinhard Doelle, who was instrumental in establishing the organization and encouraging advocacy for a more just and sustainable world.

This blog post by Jessie Irving, former Board Chair of East Coast Environmental Law, is the third in a Tribute and Celebration series that reflects on 15 years of East Coast Environmental Law and pays tribute to our friend and colleague Meinhard Doelle, who was instrumental in establishing the organization and encouraging advocacy for a more just and sustainable world.

This blog post by Jessie Irving, former Board Chair of East Coast Environmental Law, is the third in a Tribute and Celebration series that reflects on 15 years of East Coast Environmental Law and pays tribute to our friend and colleague Meinhard Doelle, who was instrumental in establishing the organization and encouraging advocacy for a more just and sustainable world.

This blog post by Lisa Mitchell, Executive Director & Senior Lawyer at East Coast Environmental Law, is the first in a Tribute and Celebration series that reflects on 15 years of East Coast Environmental Law and pays tribute to our friend and colleague Meinhard Doelle, who was instrumental in establishing the organization and encouraging advocacy for a more just and sustainable world.

This summer, I got to intern at East Coast Environmental Law. I was particularly excited about the opportunity because it was a chance to learn more about environmental law and policy in Atlantic Canada. Having grown up on the prairies, this was my first exposure to many local concerns on the east coast.