Latin School of Chicago

1 who Leonard Barson '72 what Senior Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy An attorney, Barson lobbies and sometimes battles the legislatures in Washington State and Washington, D.C., on conservation issues ranging from climate change legislation to environmental funding. how Len Barson currently is focused on defeating regulatory takings measures that have appeared on ballots in Washington and other states. Supported by some developers and conservative property rights groups, regulatory takings legislation seeks to rein in governmental regulation by forcing the government to compensate landowners for claimed reductions in property value because of land use regulations. According to Barson, if these measures were successful they would endanger the common-sense land use laws that communities have created over decades to guard against unplanned development and protect open space, clean air and water, and biodiversity. So far, thanks to The Nature Conservancy and other groups, regulatory takings measures have failed or been scaled back in California, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska and Washington. "It wasn't really until I went to Stanford after Latin that I became aware of the environment," says Barson. "Spending so much time outside – going to the beach, the tide pools – made me truly appreciate our natural resources. From there, it was serendipitous that I could combine my interest in the law and understanding of public policy with work on the environment." After graduating from Stanford in 1975, Barson went on to Harvard Law School and a fellowship with the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University. He worked on environmental issues as a legislative aide and committee staffer for Washington Congressman Al Swift. He also worked as counsel to the Washington State Senate and at a private law firm before joining The Nature Conservancy. "Good environmental public policy is a necessary component of our efforts at environmental conservation. I live in Seattle, where we are surrounded by natural beauty. On a clear day, I can see the mountain ranges going into Canada from my home. I feel fortunate that in some way I can have a role in preserving those views for future generations." "It was serendipitous that I could combine my interest in the law and understanding of public policy with work on the environment." 2 who Claire Jahns '99 Graduate student at Yale University, working toward dual master's degrees in environmental management and business administration from the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the School of Management. what how Jahns' research interests include market-based environmental policy and implementation, conservation finance, ecosystem service project development, and interaction between private and public sector environmental policies. Prior to graduate school, Claire Jahns worked as a business development associate at the Chicago Climate Exchange, an environmental commodities exchange (greenhouse gas emissions, sulfur dioxide) and greenhouse gas emissions reduction program. In this position she recruited government bodies, universities and companies from a variety of sectors into the Exchange's emission reduction program, which administered a voluntary climate change cap-and-trade system for utilities, agricultural and manufacturing companies, and others. "I've been interested in environmental issues since I was a kid," says Jahns. "My interest was probably a result of my parents' awareness of these issues, getting to spend a lot of time in the country over the summers, and reading a lot of Ranger Rick Magazine. My interest grew during high school, and I chose Oberlin College for its environmental studies program. While I was there, however, I began to think more about economics and looking at market forces as a valuable tool for achieving environmental aims – from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to smarter use of land resources." "At this time in history, we are finally seeing our neglect of natural resources and disbelief in the consequences of our actions come back to haunt us. I'm an environmentalist because I care about the people and world around me, and I don't want to stand idly by and watch things go down the tubes. Climate change is a reality that can't be ignored any longer because the consequences could be disastrous. Natural resource distribution, particularly availability of fresh water, will significantly impact human development and peace around the globe in this century. There has never been a more important time to be concerned about the environment. Moreover, working on solutions to these problems is intellectually stimulating and fun! When you work within the limits of environmental sustainability you find all sorts of interdependent, innovative policies and practices that have the potential to improve quality of life for people around the globe now and in the future." – Evelyne Girardet 1 Leonard Barson '72 2 Claire Jahns '99 3 David '84 and Robert Mendelson '52 4 Lauren Richter '01 Latin School of Chicago 25

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