Intern Update: Lucy Newell

Hi! My name is Lucy Newell, and I am a senior at Indiana University studying Law and Public Policy at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. This past semester I have been the Undergraduate Intern at the Conservation Law Center, working specifically with Andrea Lutz, the Director of Advancement. I have always had an interest in the environment, and conservation in general. Growing up, my dad shared his passion for conservation and Indiana wildlife with me, from teaching me about clean water protection to helping me plant a garden of wildflowers and native Indiana species in our back yard. Since then, I have known that conservation and environmentalism would be a passion of mine. Not to mention, I feel a deep connection (and love for) the state of Indiana and all of the natural beauty it has to offer!

I wanted to work at the Conservation Law Center because I was looking for an organization where I could serve the greater good and make a real change in our community. Prior to joining CLC, I was not sure whether I was more interested in legal work or non-profit work. Thankfully, have not had to choose between one or the other and been able to work with both. I have been able to help with interesting non-profit projects AND learn about some very interesting legal issues. I feel really special that the staff at the CLC has felt confident enough in my abilities that they assign me meaningful and important work!

A few times I have sat in on the law clinic seminar… and WOW! Conservation Law is way more interesting than I ever could have imagined. I have become especially interested in Conservation Easements and the Public Trust Doctrine.

Going forward, I certainly hope to continue to work with conservation related legal issues! Seeing how a small organization can do so much good for our environment gives me a lot of hope for the future. Growing up in a time when climate change is becoming such an urgent and serious issue can certainly be discouraging, and scary at times, but knowing that organizations like the CLC are working hard to protect and conserve certainly makes me feel excited for what’s to come!

Feel free to follow Lucy’s plant friendly Instagram @leplantstagram