Institute for Biodiversity Initiatives

Environmental Law - Student Teaching Program

In 2021, the Biodiversity Institute launched its Environmental Law-Student Teaching Program, patterned after a similar course developed by Professor Zyg Plater at Boston College Law. Each fall, Professor Gardner and Biodiversity Fellow Katherine Pratt advise 3Ls in developing curriculum for Environmental Regulation or Environmental Law courses. The students then co-teach their courses as adjunct professors to Stetson University, University of South Florida, and St Petersburg College undergraduate students in the spring.

Applications for the program open in the spring for the coming fall semester and are available to rising 3Ls and equivalent part time students.

Memorandum of Understanding with the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC)

The Biodiversity Institute continues to work with the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), a regional treaty with 16 member countries under a renewed MOU. Stetson students have had the opportunity to review and comment on draft IAC resolutions concerning the harvesting of sea turtle eggs and participate in researching and drafting a review of resolution implementation.

International Wildlife Conference

The International Wildlife Law Conference brings together lawyers, policymakers, scientists, and students interested in wildlife protection efforts. Stetson Law will host the 22nd International Wildlife Law Conference on April 15, 2026 with the theme of de-extinction and rewilding. Information on presenting and registering to attend is available on the website. Conference archives are available.

Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention (or the Convention on Wetlands), signed in 1971, was one of the first international conservation agreements, promoting global wise use of wetlands. Professor Royal Gardner has served as chair for two years.

In July 2025, Stetson students Blair Carlyle and Erika Leaper attended the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention in Zimbabwe as observers to the proceedings.