The Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment is working to advance sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. With a specific focus on the American West, the center aims to influence natural resources law and policy involving land, water, climate change, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Tribes.
Commitment to legal education
The organization also focuses on educating and mentoring future lawyers and advocates dedicated to justice and equity.
Colorado River Basin concerns
Recent updates from the center highlight ongoing concerns regarding the Colorado River Basin. A paper analyzing the system notes that stored water reserves in the Colorado River continue to decline due to a mismatch between natural supply and overall basin water use.
Honoring environmental law pioneers
The center's name honors two significant figures in the environmental law history of the law school, David Getches and Charles Wilkinson.
Recent regional event participation
The center recently participated in several regional events. On May 1st and May 2nd, the Getches-Wilkinson Center, alongside the Gina Guy Center for Land and Water Law and the Wind River Water Resource Control Board, hosted the 2nd Annual Wind River Water Forum at the Frank B. Wise.
Guest speaker recent hosting
Additionally, the center recently hosted Steve Bloch, the legal director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, on April 1st with support from the Wyss Foundation.
Upcoming scheduled events for the center include the 2026 Conference on the Colorado River held on June 4 and 5. Other scheduled programming includes the Schultz Lecture in Energy with Amy Bowers Cordalis on September 17 and the 2026 Martz Symposium on Public Lands on October 22 and 23.
