The Getches-Wilkinson Center and American Indian Law Program are pleased to present the 2024 Ruth Wright Distinguished Lecture.
Public Lands, Water, and Tribal Sovereignty in an Era of Energy Transition
Policies regarding federal public lands and waters must adjust to the reality of climate change and the inevitable trend toward a clean energy economy.Ìý Over the last four years, the federal government has moved sharply to promote solar and wind energy on federal lands, while limiting fossil fuel development. And in a time of rising temperatures and prolonged drought, management of over-appropriated river basins in arid areas requires unprecedented creativity and cooperation. In other regions, like the Columbia River Basin, priorities include restoration of fish habitat coupled with continuing support to regional economies. More than ever before, Indian tribes, treaty rights, and co-stewardship initiatives shape the way in which all of these diverse natural resources are viewed and managed, while groups favored by past policies strive to protect their interests.Ìý This lecture will canvas these and related topics as experienced in the Department of the Interior over the past four years and suggest future paths toward sound stewardship.
Bob Anderson
Solicitor of the Department of the Interior
Bob Anderson is a law professor with extensive experience in American Indian law, public land, and water law. He is an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. He taught at the University of Washington School of Law and directed its Native American Law Center for the past twenty years. For over a decade he has been an annual visiting professor at Harvard Law School. He served as the Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and Counselor to the Secretary under Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. He began his career as a staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund.
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Thurs, September 26th
12-12:50pm Student Lunch with Bob Anderson Room 207 - no registration required
6:00-7:30pm - Lecture: Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom
7:30-8:30pm - Reception for all registered attendees
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to attend and/or receive the livestream link.
In person and Virtual (Zoom) attendance available.
There will be a reception following the lecture. Details will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.
2 General Colorado CLE credits are available for this event.
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Lecture Photographs
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Barb Colombo of captured images of the Ruth Wright Distinguished Lecture. These images are available for .
Lecture Recordings
The lecture recording can be .
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The Ruth Wright Distinguished Lecture in Natural Resources
In 2018, the GWC received a generous gift from the Wright Family Foundation to establish the Ruth Wright Distinguished Lecture in Natural Resources in honor of her inspiring legacy as a leader in western natural resources, land conservation, and environmental policy and advocacy. With this support, we look forward to bringing this free event to our community for years to come.
As a legislator, environmentalist, and historian, Ruth Wright dedicated her career to environmental issues and activism. While a student at Colorado Law, she led efforts to preserve Boulder’s open space and limit the height of buildings in Boulder to 55 feet to protect enjoyment of the unique landscape for the ages. In 1980, she was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, where she represented Boulder until 1994. She was also the second woman ever to become the House minority leader, a role she held from 1986 until 1992. While serving in the House of Representatives, Wright continued to be a strategic champion for the environment, and has been recognized by such groups as the Colorado Wildlife Foundation, the ACLU, the Sierra Club, and Colorado Open Lands.