UO's law confab packs house.

Byline: Lewis Taylor The Register-Guard

CORRECTION (ran March 13, 2007): During a keynote address at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at the University of Oregon on March 1, speaker Robert F. Kennedy referred to the country's "negligent and indolent press." A story that appeared on March 2 on Page C1 contained an incorrect quote.

Two big-name environmental advocates helped kick off the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference on Thursday night, lending some star power to the 25th staging of an event that has become a rite of late winter at the University of Oregon Law School.

Internationally known physicist, ecologist and author Vandana Shiva and environmental lawyer, radio host and author Robert Kennedy Jr. shared the lectern for the opening address of the conference before a packed house in the Erb Memorial Ballroom. Shiva spoke of biodiversity, ecology and what she called the "seed wars" being waged by corporations seeking intellectual property rights for crops. Kennedy discussed the undue influence of big corporations on the U.S. government, the perversion of the free market economy and the failure of what he called a "negligent and indignant press."

Both speakers issued calls for action by those in the audience.

"It's time for those of us who know what it is that makes this nation worth fighting for to stand up and take it back from those that don't," Kennedy said in closing his hour-long speech.

The keynote addresses marked the first day of what was billed as "the premiere annual gathering for environmentalists in the world." The conference continues through Sunday and features a number of keynote addresses including one by two-time vice presidential candidate Winona LaDuke.

Launched 25 years ago by a group of 15 speakers and 75 lawyers, students and activists, the conference has grown into a four-day event that attracts thousands and includes panel discussions, films and workshops. Along with law students and lawyers, the event also draws activists and community members. Law students organize the conference.

"I think this is a fabulous conference because it brings people from all over the world and all walks of life," said Vera Smith, a land-policy advocate for the Wilderness Society, a nonprofit organization in Golden, Colo.

Smith was one of those lucky enough to get a ticket for the opening night speeches. All 750 tickets were snatched up shortly after organizers began offering them in early February. The event was simulcast to audiences in Columbia Hall and two additional rooms in the law school.

Co-organizer Amanda Freeman attributed the big crowds to the presence of the speakers, both high-profile figures in the environmental movement. Shiva's presence attracted the television cameras of PBS' "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer," which plans to air an interview with the anti-globalization activist.

"This year I think that we are celebrating not only the accomplishment of the past 25 years but we are celebrating the fact that there's so much momentum for the future," Freeman said.

Organizers reflected on the history of the conference during a brief series of opening remarks. A moderator introduced Shiva, referencing her numerous books, titles and awards.

In a speech that lasted just under an hour, Shiva touched on a range of subjects including her involvement in the Chipko movement to stop logging in the Himalayas and her attempts to prevent the United States from exerting its influence on Indian farmers. She called for biodiversity on a small scale and referred to the theme of this year's conference, "Cultivating Corridors for the People."

"We have done centuries of damage," she said. "But we don't have the same time to correct this."

While Shiva's address was global, Kennedy stuck closer to home. He issued a blistering assessment of the Bush administration, calling the president the worst environmental president in American history. In speaking about the destructiveness of the mining industry, Kennedy mentioned his father, the late Robert F. Kennedy. In talking about the power of U.S. auto manufacturers, he jokingly referred to "my cousin Arnold" (Shwarzenegger's wife, Maria Shriver, is a cousin of Kennedy's) and applauded the California governor for his tough stance on reducing auto emissions. He urged the audience to fight for the environment and to ignore the labels that are often applied to conservationists.

"There is nothing radical about the idea of clean air and clean water for our children," he said.

Following the address, Kennedy and Shiva took questions from the audience. Jennifer Gleason, a Eugene public interest environmental lawyer who has been attending the event for 14 years, seemed happy with the opening event.

`Every year (the conference) has its own special flavor depending on the students who are putting it on,' Gleason said. "This year we've got some big speakers."

PUBLIC INTEREST ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CONFERENCE

An annual conference organized by law students featuring speakers, films, panel discussions, workshops and other activities addressing environmental law and advocacy

When: Through Sunday at the University of Oregon

Attending: Events are open to the public. On-site registration available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the UO Law School at 15th Avenue and Agate Street. All events are free with a suggested donation of $20.

Information: Call 346-3828. For a complete schedule, go to www.pielc.org/ brochures/PIELC2007 BROCHURE.pdf