Date Chartered: 5/31/1996
Purpose
The Section on Natural Resources and Energy Law promotes the communication of ideas, interests and activities among members of the Section and makes recommendations on matters concerning Natural Resources Law. Natural Resources Law encompasses federal and public lands and resources law (e.g., wildlife, preservation law), mining law, coal law, oil and gas law, timber law, water law, energy law, in terms of the environmental protection component of these natural resources law subjects (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act).
Annual Meeting Programs
2025
- Main Program (Co-Sponsored by Environmental Law, Property Law, and State and Local Government Law)
- Joint Works-in-Progress Program with Environmental Law
2024
- Main Program
- Works-in-Progress
- Environmental Law Field Trip (Co-Sponsored by Agricultural and Food Law, Animal Law, and Natural Resources and Energy Law)
- Environmental Law (Co-Sponsored by Natural Resources and Energy Law)
- Environmental Law (Co-Sponsored by Immigration Law and Natural Resources and Energy Law)
2023
- Main Program
- Joint Works-in-Progress
- Agricultural and Food Law (Co-Sponsored by Animal Law, Natural Resources, and Torts and Compensation Systems)
2022
- Joint Program
- International Human Rights Law (Co-Sponsored by Natural Resources and Energy Law)
- Pedagogy
- Works in Progress
- Networking Session
2021
- State and Local Government Law and Natural Resources and Energy Law Joint Program
- Works in Progress
- Environmental Law and Securities Regulation Joint Program (Co-Sponsored by Natural Resources and Energy Law)
2020
- Administrative Law, Environmental Law, and Natural Resources & Energy Law Joint Program
- Agriculture and Food Law (Co-sponsored by Natural Resources and Energy Law)
- North American Cooperation (Co-sponsored by Natural Resources and Energy Law)
- Field Trip
2019
- Main Program
- Environmental Law, Minority Groups, and State and Local Government Law Joint Program (Co-sponsored by Natural Resources and Energy Law)
- Field Trip
- Works in Progress
Call for Papers
Sections on Environmental Law and Natural Resources & Energy Law
2026 AALS Annual Meeting – New Orleans
The Environmental Law Section and the Natural Resources & Energy Law Section are thrilled to organize a Works-in-Progress (WIP) Program at the 2026 AALS Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
This WIP program is designed to foster constructive, collegial feedback. Participants will be assigned to small groups (typically 2–4 presenters and additional commenters per table). Each WIP presenter will comment on others’ papers and receive feedback from fellow presenters and designated faculty discussants. See below for 1) instructions on submission for those who want to be considered for the WIP presentations and 2) the form to volunteer as commentators.
Both sections encourage submissions from faculty at all stages of their careers, and we especially encourage untenured faculty members to apply. This is an excellent opportunity to refine developing ideas, build relationships, and expand your scholarly network in a supportive setting. Projects already accepted for publication are not eligible.
Our WIP session will be followed by an informal happy hour offsite for attendees who wish to continue the conversation and connect with colleagues.
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To present a WIP, please submit this google form by October 10th. It includes:
- A one-paragraph description of your project (500 words max)
- A statement confirming the work has not been accepted for publication
- Your tenure status (pre-tenure, post-tenure, or non-tenure-track)
- Name and email
Please note: Due to AALS deadlines, we cannot accommodate late submissions.
Selected presenters will be notified by October 20th, 2025, and will be asked to submit a draft of up to 15 pages (by December 1, 2025. If your full manuscript exceeds 15 pages, please indicate which section should be the focus of discussion.
If you do not have anything ready to present, but want to serve as commentator, please fill this form by Nov. 3rd, 2025.