The ELC work makes it so easy for me to promote UVic Law as the “best” school to attend if you want to study environmental law and gain practical public interest advocacy skills along the way.
Janet Person is not only the Faculty of Law’s long-standing Admissions Officer, she is a monthly ELC donor. She was happy to learn about a recent Clinic project addressing roadside brushing.
“Reading the report on roadside brushing reinforces my decision to continue to support the ELC,” says Janet. “I make those monthly donations in memory of my dad, who was one of the original environmental activists in the north from the early 70’s. The recommendations in the roadside brushing report would have made my dad so happy. He was a birder from the time he was a little boy growing up on Annacis Island in the Fraser River.”
Janet believes that the biggest public service the ELC provides is accountability.
“Accountability of government, corporations, and communities – making sure the public is aware of what’s going on, otherwise people often don’t know,” says Janet. “For example, when I tell people about the road brushing project, they are flabbergasted to hear that this activity happens during nesting season. Even the operators who are doing work contracted for the government don’t know.”
Janet says she wishes more people knew about the differences that the ELC’s work makes – big or small – and that the Clinic Program “doesn’t just give students ‘busy’ work, they do really important ground-breaking work.”
It’s another reason she supports the ELC.
“Charitable donations have to come from the heart to support something you believe in,” says Janet. “If you can’t give time, give money to support people with the skills to do the work to make change. It doesn’t have to be a big splash – if 100 people donate a small amount on a monthly basis, it adds up to a huge budget contribution.”
To join Janet and become a monthly ELC donor, click here