School’s Legacy of Environmental Leadership Rewarded by Anonymous Donation
SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. (May 29, 2025) — A testament to its global impact in environmental law and policy, Vermont Law and Graduate School has received its largest-ever donation — $10 million.
An anonymous international foundation dedicated to solving environmental challenges will award VLGS this impactful gift over a three-year period to reinforce and grow the school’s expertise in agriculture and food systems and animal protection policy.
In addition, the funding will advance a new aquaculture project. With a focus on research and advocacy, this endeavor aims to examine and tackle the environmental implications of aquaculture.
“This extraordinary support is a testament to the hard work and expertise of the faculty, staff and students at Vermont Law and Graduate School,” Board of Trustees Chair Glenn Berger JD’78 said. “We appreciate the opportunity to further the research and advocacy around these vital environmental issues and continue to lead in this space.”
Through scholarships and expanded experiential learning opportunities, this investment offers VLGS students increased access to unparalleled legal and policy training, further equipping the next generation of environmental changemakers with actionable skills.
“This generous gift is an incredible vote of confidence in the VLGS Animal Law and Policy Institute’s pathbreaking work to train tomorrow’s animal advocacy leaders,” said Professor Delcianna Winders, director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute. “We’re excited to further enhance the offerings of the world’s fastest growing animal law and policy program.”
Recently U.S. News and World Report again ranked VLGS among the top environmental law schools, cementing the institution’s place on the global stage of environmental education, law and activism. It remains the nation’s most comprehensive environmental law program, with six legal clinics, seven centers and programs and more than 75 faculty committed to the environment.
“We are profoundly grateful for this gift to the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems,” said Laurie Beyranevand JD’03, Pescosolido Professor of Food and Agricultural Law and Policy and director of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. “At a time when severe weather, economic disruption, and strained supply chains stress the food system, this support empowers us to expand our work and deepen our impact. Together with our partners and students—future law and policy changemakers—we’re tackling these urgent challenges head-on through research, education, and outreach to advance a more resilient food system.”
For additional details or media requests, contact Jessie Forand: jessie@junapr.com or 802-370-0611.
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Vermont Law and Graduate School, a private, independent institution, is home to a law school that offers ABA-accredited residential and online hybrid JD programs and a graduate school that offers master’s degrees and certificates in multiple disciplines, including programs offered by the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment, the Center for Justice Reform and other graduate-level programs emphasizing the intersection of environmental justice, social justice and public policy. Both the law and graduate schools strongly feature experiential clinical and field work learning. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, Facebook and Instagram.