Earth Law Signature Summer Course

June 1 - June 24, 2026

Live • Virtual • Global

registration for professionals
registration for students

Student registration requires proof of current enrollment.

Full and partial scholarships available.
Scholarship applications accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here.

A message from Earth Law Center’s Executive Director on why Earth law education matters now!

It’s time to give Nature a voice in the legal system.

Join a global community of lawyers, students, educators, and advocates committed to advancing Earth law and the Rights of Nature worldwide.

The Earth Law Center Signature Summer Course brings together experienced practitioners, scholars, and changemakers to explore emerging legal frameworks that recognize Nature as a rights-bearing entity.

Through live instruction, real-world case studies, and collective learning, participants gain conceptual grounding and practical insight into the future of law.

Whether you are deepening your legal practice, preparing to teach Earth law, or exploring new pathways for environmental justice, this course offers a rigorous and accessible foundation.

“Best introduction to Earth law, bar none.”

“As a law student, I would tell other law students that it helps you learn a critical perspective on environmental law.”

“As an environmental lawyer, I would say to keep an open mind and embrace the various approaches to environmental protection. It is not just black letter law, but also a lot of legal theory, politics and economic considerations.”

“I am a Master’s student and lawyer. I would say this is a frontline course about the rights of nature.”

“As an environmental policy professional, I will recommend the course given its rich content and innovative approaches being covered, where one will be able to consider current anthropocentric laws in a more refreshing perspective.”

“As an Assistant Professor, I found the materials engaging and important. They will help with teaching on these materials to other students.”

“I am a development anthropologist working on biodiversity conservation. I'd urge local Developing World leaders to enroll in the course and explore how they might implement Earth Law in their own countries or bioregions.”

THE COURSE

Dive into captivating narratives, visual aids, and real-world case studies that demystify legal concepts and showcase the profound impact Earth law can have on our daily lives.

This live, fully virtual course includes 8 classes over 4 weeks and is based on our book: Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law—A Guide for Practitioners. 

Our carefully curated selection of reading and viewing materials is designed to make the complexities of legal jargon more accessible and engaging for all participants.

Whether you're a seasoned legal professional or a newcomer, our resources will enrich your understanding, spark thought-provoking discussions, and empower you to champion environmental justice with newfound clarity and confidence.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

In last year’s course, we explored how every area of law can be reimagined through an ecocentric lens—from family law (guardianship of Nature) to constitutional law (Rights of Nature), corporate law (Nature on the Board), and beyond.

This year, we will go deeper. In response to student feedback, the course will feature in-depth explorations of six real-world cases from around the globe, offering practical detail and rigorous analysis of how Earth-centered law works in practice.

Each case study will include perspectives from a legal expert, a community leader, and a policymaker or judge. Your lead instructor, ELC Executive Director Grant Wilson, will provide the introduction and conclusion for each module and facilitate the discussions throughout.

professional registration
Student registration

FACULTY

  • Grant Wilson, Executive Director of Earth Law Center, standing confidently in a professional setting, advocating for environmental justice and nature’s rights

    Grant Wilson

    Executive Director, Earth Law Center
    Course Moderator

  • Professor Herman Green, educator at Earth Law Center, teacher of the History of Earth Jurisprudence and advocating for legal rights of nature

    Herman Greene

    Earth Law Center

  • "Alexandra Pimor, Lecturer at Earth Law Center, Presentor of an Overview of Recent Earth Law Developments and advancing legal frameworks for nature’s rights.

    Alexandra Pimor

    Earth Law Center

  • Constanza Prieto Figelist

    Earth Law Center

  • "Kelsey Leonard, Expert in Indigenous Ocean Rights, In natural surroundings, Smiling.

    Kelsey Leonard

    Earth Law Center

  • "Kevin Schneider, lecturer at Earth Law Center, with the legal and ethical question 'Is an Elephant a Person?' in his discussion on animal rights and personhood.

    Kevin Schneider

    Earth Law Center

  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS TO BE ANNOUNCED!

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Class details

  • Course runs from from June 1 through June 24, 2026

  • Eight 2-hour classes held live on Monday & Wednesday 8-10am pacific

  • NEW: 3 additional Friday sessions
    Optional small-group study and application sessions for participants seeking deeper engagement!

  • 200 spaces available

  • Year-long access to all course materials

Pricing

  • Professional rate $495

  • Student rate $295

    • Student pricing is reserved for currently enrolled students or recent graduates (within two years), and eligibility will be verified.

Scholarship

  • Full and partial scholarships available and awarded on a rolling basis

  • Partial scholarships cover 50% of tuition

Group rates

  • Group rates available for law firm and other institutions. Please email info@earthlaw.org for more information.

    • 3-4 participants from a single institution, 15% off each registration.

    • 5+ participants from a single institution, 20% off registration 

Coursebook

  • A limited-time digital version of the textbook is provided during the course

  • Purchase of a physical copy is optional and additional

Register now Professional
Register Now Student

What past participants say

  • “Legal innovation; truly using the law as a tool for protection and conservation is the best approach to Earth Law.”

  • “Understanding the many facets of law that can be reinterpreted to protect nature was eye-opening and inspiring.”

  • “I loved the bits on guardianships and nature guardian company formats; I would love to explore this further within my own advocacy journey.”

  • “So many motivated, bright folks came together to share, brainstorm, and commit to ecocentric perspectives. A privilege and honor to be part of this community.”

  • “I feel armed with more responsibility and more pathways of standing up for nature and giving back to nature.”

  • “I now understand that Earth Law is all about bringing us back to an ecocentric way of living that we need in the face of crises.”

Be part of a movement to take environmental law to the next level

Underwater coral reef scene with sunlight shining through the water, coral in foreground, and small fish swimming in the background.

The Signature Summer Course is more than a class—it is a shared learning experience for people working to reimagine how law relates to the natural world.

Sun rising behind mountains over a lake with rooftops in the foreground.
A landscape of a dense forest with coniferous trees, mist over the ground in the middle, and hills covered with trees in the background under a blue sky.

FAQ’s

  • Is this course for me?
    Yes! The course is designed for lawyers, students, educators, and community members interested in understanding and advancing Earth law. No prior background in Earth law is required. This course is for anyone interested in creating and elevating a robust contribution to the future of our planet.

  • What is the time commitment for this course?
    Classes are held twice weekly, Mondays and Wednesdays, for two hours each, and can be attended live or asynchronously. Outside of class, you should expect to spend roughly one-hour of reading per each hour of class time. The total time commitment for the Earth Law Summer Course will be roughly 8-hours per week for 4 weeks.

  • Do you have scholarships available?
    Yes! We offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships, awarded on a rolling basis.

    If you’re selected, we’ll reach out by email with next steps. While your application is under review, please hold off on registering for the course, as scholarship recipients will receive a separate registration link. You can apply here.

  • Do you offer CLE Credits or a Certificate of Completion?
    Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion. Some states will provide CLE credits for attending the course. Please contact your CLE accrediting body directly.

  • Is the coursebook included?
    A limited-time digital version of the coursebook is provided during the course. Physical copies may be purchased separately from Aspen Publishing.

  • Where are all the video’s and supplemental materials hosted?
    The course community is hosted on Mighty Networks.

  • Will I be able to communicate with faculty during the course?
    Yes! Mighty Networks offers a robust discussion board as well as the ability to interact directly with faculty, hosts, moderators, and other students. Upon joining the course you will gain instant access to the discussion board, even before the Summer Course begins on June 1.

  • What kind of technology will be required?
    A stable internet connection with audio is required. A camera is optional.

  • What is your refund policy?
    We encourage all participants to carefully review the course schedule, format, and time commitment prior to registering to ensure it is the right fit. Refunds are available until the course begins on June 1, 2026. Once the course has started, refunds will not be available.

  • What if I have a question that’s not listed here?
    We’d love to hear from you! Please email Ciara Shea at cshea@earthlaw.org.

    Link to privacy policy.