Preserving our natural spaces
Indiana trails its neighbors by a significant margin in terms of protected natural land and land available for public use and enjoyment. This gap negatively impacts human health, economic development, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. Conservation Law Center (CLC) is focused on conserving natural spaces in Indiana and ensuring all citizens have access to those spaces.
Our Work
Accelerating Conservation
Conservation Law Center's land program is dedicated to expediting and enhancing land conservation efforts while preserving public access to these areas.
Impressive Impact
Over the past 18 years, Conservation Law Center (CLC) has directly contributed to conserving over 20,000 acres of land in Indiana alone, with a total estimated value exceeding $100 million. And CLC has provided free legal counsel to dozens of land trusts around the country.
Free Assistance for Indiana Land Trusts
CLC provides pro bono support to Indiana land trusts, aiding them with intricate real estate transactions, conservation easement creation and enforcement, and guidance on matters like timber theft and public access.
Programs & Services
Program
Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape
The Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape (SISL) is a diverse partnership that is advancing the pace and scale of conservation throughout a three and a half million-acre swath of south-central Indiana to protect military missions on four critical installations and ranges. Designated in February 2022, the SISL partnership includes federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations working with private and public landowners to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, prepare for drought and flood, and bolster agricultural and forestry economies.
“When I need support during a difficult transaction, I call Christian and he gives me the sword and shield (aka counsel and confidence) I need to fight on for the land, water, and wildlife.”
Julie Borgmann,
Executive Director, Red-tail Land Conservancy
Conservation Law Center Files Amicus Brief Urging the Indiana Supreme Court to Embrace the Federal Doctrine of Associational Standing
212-year-old Family Farm Preserved
Standing Up for Communities in Zoning and Land Use Decisions
331 Acres of Farmland Protected

Strengthening National Security Through Conservation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is putting Farmers First by advancing conservation and working-land stewardship efforts to protect military mission-critical areas through the Sentinel

Can the Indiana Dunes & heavy industry coexist? It’s complicated
Indiana Dunes reach a turning point as preservation efforts and regional growth pressures shape the future of the lakeshore landscape.

New Tools Help Partners Understand and Protect Southern Indiana Landscapes
CLC’s Dr. Raenah Bailey has completed two related projects that help partners better understand southern Indiana’s changing landscapes and make more informed conservation decisions.

Join the CLC Team!
The Conservation Law Center seeks applications for the position of Associate Attorney to join our team based in the beautiful Midwestern college town of Bloomington,

Maurer students draft prescribed burning law, get legal recognition of conservation partnership
Maurer students in the Conservation Law Clinic researched and wrote Senate Resolution 34, to increase awareness of the conservation efforts led by the Southern Indiana

Indiana Senate Resolution to Recognize the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape Partnership
We thank Senator Greg Goode for introducing Senate Resolution 34: “A Senate Resolution recognizing the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape Partnership.” This resolution serves to increase
Executive Director, Glenn and Donna Scolnik Clinical Chair
Three Valley Land Trust
Shirley Heinz Land Trust
Sierra Club – Hoosier Chapter
Red-Tail Land Conservancy
Oak Heritage Conservancy
NICHES Land Trust
Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District
Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Mud Creek Conservancy
Malpai Borderlands Group
Knobstone Hiking Trail Association