The Sink or Swim Project

When I decided to apply to the dual degree graduate program through the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy here at the University of Miami to pursue my law degree and a Ph.D., I honestly had no idea just how inspirational my legal education would be. Like most prospective law students I anticipated spending endless hours each week reading countless law textbooks and cases and writing legal briefs, and while all of that was a significant part of my studies, I could never have anticipated the amazing hands-on experience that the School of Law provided as I traveled all over Florida and the world beyond.

I mean, where else can a young law student deeply interested in the world’s climate crisis and our environment be selected to attend the United Nations’ annual Conference of the Parties (aka COP) meetings as part of their education by traveling to the far corners of the world, Egypt in 2022 and then Dubai in 2023, the latter of which while acting as the Head of Delegations? Just amazing, life changing experiences.

The words “thank you” are simply insufficient for my gratitude towards Dr. Jessica Owley not only for selecting me to participate in these incredible educational experiences, but for leading so many of the environmental courses that I enjoyed during my time on campus. I also owe her a special “shout out” for hosting an environmental symposium at the School on Earth Day in 2022 where my friend and famed environmental constitutional lawyer Andrea Rogers and I talked about my historic 2018 climate case, Reynolds v. Florida, and her impactful work at Our Children’s Trust when I was just a 1L (22-year-old first year law student) or, for that matter, recently awarding me the Inaugural University of Miami School of Law Environmental Writing Award.

Dr. Owley, thank you for being such a powerful supporter of my work and an inspiration as a lawyer, doctorate, academic, professor, and woman.

Where in the world can you attend law school and as part of your curriculum board an airboat to explore issues facing the Everglades, kayak through Big Cypress National Preserve to learn about endangered species, cruise the waters of Lake Okeechobee that’s vital to South Florida’s fresh water supply while hearing from the South Florida Water Management District leadership, meet with Elders from both the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to learn about their environmental concerns or spend a day hiking (“mucking” about as it’s called) waste deep (ok, chest deep in my case!) in the brown waters of Big Cyprus while vividly experiencing the environment while you are literally submerged in it? Well, those are just some of the awe-inspiring experiences that Professor Kelly Cox’s Everglades Law course gave to seven of my classmates and me. You can read more about that course and my adventures in it in an article the University recently published that you’ll find here.

I have an endless list of people to thank for supporting me over the last three years but want to mention a couple who have played an extra special role and that begins with my dear family (mom Juli, dad Bob, and brother Owen). Thanks as well to the Abess’ Director, Dr. Kenny Broad, for his confidence in selecting me to join their program; to Jennifer Jacquet, Abess’ Graduate Program Director; and my PhD advisor, Dr. Catherine Macdonald for her never ending support and wisdom.

So what’s next?

The dual degree program through the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy is fairly unique in all of higher education and with my law school element complete I am excited to focus on my Ph.D. candidacy over the next three years. My thesis focuses on the viability of proposed manmade climate change solutions for South Florida, what their environmental and societal impacts are/might be as we continue to come up with different ways to protect our coastlines, and how we might utilize technologies others around the world have developed. You can learn more about the Dual Degree graduate program at the University of Miami in a recent article about me and some of my colleagues that you can find here.

In addition to my Ph.D. related academic work, I will be acting as a Teacher’s Assistant for Dr. Wanless’ Climate Change/Sea Level Rise and Landscape, Habitation, and Society classes this fall, preparing for the Florida Bar exam before sitting for it early next year, and working on a range of environmental projects through The Sink or Swim Project including some very big news later this year, while also serving on both the CLEO Institute and CAVU Boards.

But first, I am excited about the prospects of a nearly summer-long trip to 19 more of America’s National Parks and other special natural places all over our incredible country like the one I took in 2023. I will look forward to sharing the details about those adventures late this summer with you and, until then, hope you have a truly fantastic summer that allows you to also get out into our amazing natural environment.