Environmental summit March 10-11 features New Belgium co-founder

When Kim Jordan co-founded New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado, the company’s core values from the start included environmental stewardship. So New Belgium tries to serve as a model of sustainability: using alternate energy sources, looking for ways to recycle, seeking vendors that minimize their environmental footprint.

The craft brewery even partnered with Ben & Jerry’s, which is well-known for its environmental commitment, to develop an ice cream-flavored beer, Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale, donating part of the proceeds to an outdoor-sports enthusiasts’ group that works to limit the negative impacts of climate change.

Jordan, now New Belgium’s board chair and former CEO, will share her experiences in developing one of America’s most innovative businesses, as keynote speaker for the 22nd Annual Tulane Environmental Law & Policy Summit March 10-11.

Her address, set for March 11 at 4:15 p.m., caps off two days of panels on topics as wide-ranging as drinking water safety, the law of shark management and recognizing rights for nature.  

All events are in Tulane University Law School’s John Giffen Weinmann Hall, 6329 Freret St. in New Orleans.  Registration is free and open to the public. Here’s the full schedule.

Lawyers can receive CLE credit (for a fee) for March 10 panels on “Mindfulness and Professionalism” and “Recent Developments in Legal Ethics.” CLE registration ends March 9.

The summit is produced by student members of Tulane Law’s Environmental & Energy Law Society, with guidance from Professor Oliver Houck and Mark Davis, director of the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy. The event attracts hundreds of attorneys, academics, students and representatives from government, industry and nonprofit groups for discussions on critical issues affecting the environment and energy fields.

Other panels include:

— Louisiana Coastal Master Plan and Funding

— Drone Technology and Conservation, featuring National Geographic-sponsored photographers

— Environmental Justice, What Happened to Title IV?

— Sustainable Seafood, featuring New Orleans chef Frank Brigtsen

— Totally Buggin’ Out, an insect panel geared toward non-law students and professionals