Annual Environmental Law Section Executive Committee Planning Retreat

In February, the Section’s Executive Committee gathered for its annual planning retreat—an energizing session focused on shaping the future of our flagship event, the 35th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite^®, which will take place October 15–18, 2026, at the beautiful Tenaya Lodge along the borders of Yosemite National Park.

A significant portion of the retreat was devoted to crafting a dynamic and forward-looking conference. Each year, we look for new ways to elevate the conference experience by introducing engaging activities, curating timely and relevant panels, welcoming leading voices in environmental law, and creating meaningful networking opportunities in an unforgettable setting.

We were especially encouraged by the dozens of panel proposals and speaker recommendations submitted by Section members and colleagues. The breadth and quality of these submissions reflect the depth of experience of our membership and the importance of the issues we handle. Your engagement and insight are what make this conference exceptional, and we are confident that this year’s gathering will be one of our most impactful yet.

In addition to conference planning, Executive Committee members reviewed Section finances and budgeting priorities, mapped out educational programming and other activities for the year ahead, and explored new initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall membership experience. A highlight of the retreat was a hands-on beach cleanup, where members put their commitment to community stewardship into action.

We are grateful to Section members for the trust they place in Section leadership. We encourage and welcome your input, and hope you will participate fully in all that the Section has to offer.