Talking Conservation is a public lecture series in Bloomington, Indiana, exploring the ideas, people, and legal frameworks shaping the future of land, water, wildlife, and healthy communities.
This series is designed to be welcoming, practical, and rooted in real-world challenges and solutions—grounded in Indiana, while connected to broader regional and national conversations.
Each lecture is free and open to the public. We encourage RSVPs to help us plan and communicate details.
2026 Lecture Schedule
The Legal Toolkit for Land Conservation
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Location: Upland Woodshop, 354 W 11th St, Bloomington, IN 47404
New Sycamore Land Trust Executive Director Alex Sienkiewicz, JD, PhD, will share insights from more than two decades of leadership in conservation, wildlife habitat management, and public lands stewardship.
Connections and Consequences: Federal Environmental Policy and State-Level Impacts
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Maurer School of Law, Room 123
Former U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe will discuss how federal environmental policy decisions shape real-world outcomes at the state and community level.
Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline and the Public Trust Doctrine in Action
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Location: TBD
Retired Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent Paul Labovitz will explore how the public trust doctrine shapes access, protection, and stewardship along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline.
More lectures may be announced. Check back or subscribe to updates.
What to Expect
Engaging Speakers: Attorneys, researchers, community leaders, and practitioners working on the front lines of conservation and environmental law.
Accessible Conversations: No prior legal or technical background required.
Interactive Format: Events will include time for audience questions and facilitated discussion.
Timely Topics: Each lecture will fall into one or more of the following broad themes: Land Conservation & Use, Water as a Public Resource, Biodiversity & Habitat Protection, Public Interest Lawyering for the Environment.
Community Connection: An opportunity to meet neighbors, students, professionals, and partners who care about our shared environment.
- Recorded & Archived: Most lectures will be recorded and added to the Conservation Law Center’s online resource library for on-demand viewing and educational use.
Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Accessibility & Language Access
The Conservation Law Center is committed to making Talking Conservation accessible and welcoming. If you have accessibility needs, interpretation requests, or other accommodations, please contact us in advance so we can do our best to support your participation.
Contact: Katie Beck, katbeck@iu.edu, 812-855-2350
Stay Connected
Learn more about our work protecting land, water, and communities.
- Follow the Conservation Law Center for updates and future events.
