The Law of People and Place 2026

WHO WAS THIS COURSE CREATED FOR?

The Law of People and Place is a week-long field course in natural resource and Indian law, offered in collaboration with the University of Montana's Blewett School of Law‘s Summer American Indian and Indigenous Law Program and the University of Washington School of Law. The field course is cross-listed for graduate credit in the University of Montana’s Master of Public Administration Program and open to students in Native American studies, journalism, environmental studies, social work and others who are interested in the course content. Attorney and practitioner participation may also be available for those seeking CLE credit or professional development.

The Law of People and Place is a good fit for people who are:

• excited to do serious learning outside, in community, while moving through a wild landscape.
• interested in exploring the nexus of culture, geography, and the law through experience and dialog.
• curious and open to new ideas and adventures.
• willing to contribute positively to a diverse group of learners and leaders.

ABOUT THE FIELD COURSE

This place-based learning experience focuses on the Salish Sea ecosystem and the myriad natural resource, environmental, governmental, legal, policy, and practical issues embedded in the region. We approach these issues by immersing ourselves in the place and working to understand the ways in which law and policy interact with it. Aside from the course faculty, students will hear from tribal representatives, private conservationists, federal land managers, and other stakeholders involved in management of the Salish Sea bioregion, including the Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula. Themes explored include the myth and reality of public lands; river restoration and dam removal; wildlife management across jurisdictions; whaling treaties; water law; cooperative management; and the intersection of tribal rights, sovereignty, and interests with federal, state, and private interests, both historical and continuing.

COURSE DETAILS

Tentative itinerary:

JUNE 27 | Travel from University of Washington campus to Port Angeles, on the Olympic Peninsula. 

JUNE 28 |  Visit the Elwha River Dam site and the river's delta. Visit with tribal leaders and river restoration specialists. 

JUNE 29 | Travel to Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island. After an orientation to sea kayaking, paddle to Turn Island.

JUNE 30 - JULY 2 | Sea kayak between islands in the San Juan archipelago. Each day features classroom sessions, discussions, and exercises oriented around the intersection of law, policy, and management in the Salish Sea bioregion. Each night, sleep under stars and beneath madrona trees, share protected coves with seals and eagles, and watch for whales from the cockpit of your boat.

JULY 3 | Paddle the home stretch, back to San Juan Island. Travel from Friday Harbor to return to the UW campus.

Your program cost includes:

• the fully accredited course, materials, and associated academic credits (Note that the University of Montana charges an additional credit processing fee, payable through CyberBear.)
• transportation from the University of Washington campus to the field and back
• all meals and snacks from dinner on June 27 through lunch on July 3
• professional, licensed sea kayak guides, boats, gear, and all paddling safety gear
• all permitting, camping, and access fees

Because we pay our instructors, facilitators, support staff, and guides an equitable wage, we do not offer individual discounts that compromise the integrity of those wages. If you need financial support, please consider applying for our scholarships, or pursue funding through your academic institution, firm, or organization. Freeflow courses may be taken for professional development or continuing education, including CLE for law practitioners, and we're happy to help you craft a proposal for support.

Space on this adventure is limited to 12 participants. We will close registration once the roster is full. Please apply early. Registration is also subject to instructor approval, based on review of the applicant’s essay (not more than 500 words) describing their interest in the course.

Participants must bring their own camping gear (tent + sleeping bag + sleeping pad). These items may be rented from UM’s Campus Recreation Outdoor Program or, in the case of tents, borrowed from Freeflow. (Please tell us if you need any camping gear and we will help you track it down!)

UM STUDENTS | $2150 subsidized tuition for enrolled University of Montana students

PRACTITIONERS | $3350 for practicing attorneys, educators, administrators, journalists, writers, and other professionals

Sea kayak guide gratuities are not included in the program cost. Please budget in order to share a gratuity with our guide crew. We are happy to discuss norms for tipping – just ask.

All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Payment plans are available. Payments can be made by mailing in a good old-fashioned check, or by credit card or bank transfer via our online payment system. Read more about the registration process and payment options here.

CLAIM YOUR SPACE

Click APPLY NOW to begin your adventure. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION TO THE LAW OF PEOPLE AND PLACE:

Registration for this field course is subject to instructor approval, based on review of a personal essay of 500 words or less. We strongly suggest you type your essay elsewhere, save it, and then copy and paste into the proper field of this electronic application. Here's what you'll be asked to write: "Please describe your interest in the course. Be sure to share with us why this field course is essential for YOU, your work, your education, and/ or your personal development."

We can’t wait to share a creative adventure with you.