Oregon Wild is excited to once again participate in the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC) in Eugene next week! As the largest and longest-running event of its kind, this conference brings together activists, advocates, attorneys, scientists, government officials, and concerned citizens from around the world to share knowledge and strategies for protecting the environment and advancing social justice. Best of all, it’s free and open to the public!
PIELC is packed with inspiring panels, big ideas, and important conversations, and it’s a fantastic way to connect with like-minded advocates. That’s why we’re hosting a special Wild Ones Meet-Up at McMenamins East 19th St Cafe on Thursday, March 12th at 2pm! This meet-up is designed to make it easier (and more fun) to navigate the conference, and find new friends to explore all it has to offer with. We’ll connect, compare schedules, and help everyone find a panel buddy so no one has to experience the conference alone. We’ll also share some updates on how you can plug in to our most pressing public lands campaigns!
Space at McMenamins is limited, so make sure to RSVP!
This conference is a great chance to learn more about Oregon Wild’s work and how you can get involved. Check out the schedule below for panels featuring our staff, and don’t forget to stop by our table in the law school lobby to say hello!
Here’s a snapshot of this year’s conference schedule:
Thursday, March 12th
Wild Ones Meet-Up (Space is limited: Make sure to RSVP through this form!)
2:00-3:30 PM | McMenamins East 19th St Cafe
Each year, PIELC brings together some of the most passionate environmental advocates in the country, and we want you to experience it! That’s why we’re creating space for Wild Ones to gather first. This meet-up is a chance to ground ourselves in community, connect with fellow grassroots leaders, and head into the conference ready to make the most of it.
The Joy in the Fight: Building Grassroots Power Through Community and Courage
4:00-5:30 PM | EMU 119
In a political moment that demands both courage and creativity, this session explores how joyful resistance, community-building, and strategic collaboration can strengthen our collective ability to fight back. Guided by lessons in joy, courage, and real-world campaigns that challenge local representatives, we’ll highlight how we can grow our movements by meeting people where they’re at and empowering them.
Friday, March 13th
Fighting Old-Growth Logging Sales Post-Seven County
10:45-12:15 AM | Law 241
Panelists will share examples and experiences from active cases where Seven County has come up during litigation challenging old-growth logging sales in Oregon. Panelists will share ways to counter the narrative that Seven County dramatically altered the viability of NEPA claims and judicial review.
The Other Public Lands — The plight of America’s oft-forgotten state-managed forests and the urgent need to reform state land law and policy
10:45-12:15 AM | LAW 142
This panel of experts from across the US will explore the peril and promise of state land management, from efforts to increase transparency and accountability to expanding protections for state lands from threats of resource extraction and development.
NEPA’s Perfect Storm: Regulatory Retreat, Environmental Risk, and the Path Forward
1:30 – 3:00 PM | Law 184
This panel will give a holistic overview of the many recent changes by Congress, the administration, and courts that have reshaped NEPA.
Saturday, March 14th
Pitch perfect: A panel with journalists on environmental news
8:30-10:00 AM | EMU 146
At this panel, reporters from various outlets and perspectives will answer questions about what it takes to get a story, what makes a good pitch, and how to give a good quote. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the media tick so your story gets heard.
Forever 21? Fighting Trump’s Renewed Attack on Eastside Old Growth
8:30-10:00 AM | EMU 230
Conservation wins are often temporary and losses permanent. The Eastside Screens—protecting the largest 3% of Eastern Oregon’s trees—helped end the “timber wars,” but have been relentlessly attacked by the timber industry and their allies. This panel examines what this ongoing fight can teach lawyers and advocates about defending hard-won gains.
Defending the Roadless Rule
10:15-11:45 AM | Law 184
This panel will cover the history of the Roadless Rule, the Trump administration’s current efforts to rescind it, and the national effort to defend it and ensure permanent protections for roadless areas across the country.
Public Lands Management at a Crossroads
2:30-4:00 PM | EMU Ballroom
This panel will explore a brief history of Public Lands Management in the United States, discuss challenges with the current management framework, and discuss the need to think about big transformational changes to build back from the destruction of the Trump administration.
