Maddy Munson Named Wyss Scholar

Lewis & Clark Law School is pleased to announce that Maddy Munson ’21 is the third Wyss Scholar to be selected from the law school. As a Wyss Scholar, Maddy will receive a stipend for a summer position after 2L year with a nonprofit or public sector conservation organization dedicated to the Intermountain West, membership in the Wyss Scholars network, generous tuition assistance for her 3L year, ability to apply for a Wyss Scholars’ Small Grants Program to propose professional development events, and two post-graduation payments upon entering in a qualified career position.

The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable organization dedicated to western public lands issues, and its Scholars Program supports graduate-level education for the next generation of leaders in western land conservation. In early fall of 2017, the Wyss Foundation selected Lewis & Clark and its Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law program as one of the first law schools to be included in the Wyss Scholars Program. JD students in their second year at Lewis & Clark who are interested in natural resources and public lands issues on western lands, may apply to serve as Wyss Scholars. Cooper Rodgers ’19 was selected as the inaugural Wyss Scholar in January of 2018 and Hannah Clements was selected as the second in February 2019.

Maddy grew up in the Rocky Mountains exploring beautiful mountains and pristine glacial lakes in Glacier National Park, Montana as well as hiking, camping, and skiing in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. An alum from The University of Oregon in the field of Environmental Studies with a minor in Public Policy, Planning, & Management, she was also a member of the Climate Justice League Organization.

Maddy came to law school to learn to become “a better environmental advocate.” Her clarity and focus on this goal is demonstrated by her top grades, leadership, and career path. While at Lewis & Clark Law School, Maddy has been a law clerk for the Oregon Natural Desert Association and an active volunteer for the Northwest Environmental Defense Center. With the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, she serves as both a Student Board Member and a Project Coordinator for the Public Lands and Wildlife Group, creating projects and overseeing volunteers.

Maddy’s commitment to western conservation is lifelong: “The West is not just where I am from; it is an inherent part of who I am.”

Lewis & Clark’s Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy law program is proud to work with the Wyss Foundation in cultivating passionate and driven students, like Maddy, who will be the leaders and change-makers in western land conservation.