About Us

The Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center is a unique partnership between the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension, and James E. Rogers College of Law.  We promote collaborative partnerships between experts and communities to address complex legal and policy analysis needs of the natural resource community in Arizona and the West. Students in our programs make a difference today, while also developing the skills to become our next generation of natural resource science professionals, lawyers, agency heads, politicians, and judges. The Center promotes innovative approaches to working with students, partners and stakeholders who are actively addressing the needs of natural resource users and the communities throughout Arizona.

Objectives

• Train students to critically evaluate complex natural resource law and policy matters in real time:
  • using a hands-on approach to learning (i.e., learning by doing) including on the ground natural resource industry practices
  •  providing access to legal and technical support for individuals and businesses, involved in natural resource management, that may not have access either due to economic, cultural and/or social constructs.
• Combine the science-based knowledge of CALS students and the legal skills of law students to promote responsible stewardship of natural resources.
• Build relationships among collaborative partners and the larger community.
• Increase the law, policy, and economic analysis capacity of Cooperative Extension.
• Support a public interest law clinic on matters involving the regulation and use of natural resources.
• Provide an undergraduate level core-knowledge survey course highlighting presentations from legal experts serving the agricultural and natural resource industries.