2022 Advocacy Project Pitch Competition
Defend Them All’s Virtual Advocacy Internship Program for students interested in exploring animal and environmental law and policy has come to close. The diverse backgrounds and interests of these students have fostered productive conversations and compelling ideas - we are excited to share their project proposals with you!
Protecting Macaw in Canada - Ana Melo
My name is Ana Melo and I am a second-year JD student at the University of British Columbia. I grew up visiting wildlife reservations with my mom and I have always felt very passionately about animal welfare. I am originally from Brazil, and my interest in macaws in particular, stems from watching these beautiful birds fly freely in the sky with their mates and flocks. Macaws are extremely popular birds throughout the world and I strongly believe that there needs to be more legal regulations to protect them.
Art as Advocacy - Linda Tauscher
My name is Linda Tauscher and I am a second-year law student at the University of California Davis School of Law. Although I'm a life-long animal lover (especially when it comes to anything cat-like!) my academic background is actually in art history. This summer was a way for me to combine what I know with what I love, to explore how the art and environmental/animal activism worlds can overlap and gain insight from each other. Hopefully this work will help us have a broader reach and help save more animals and their habitats.
Wildlife Friendly Tourism in Paute, Ecuador - Edward Williams
My name is Eddie Williams and I am a student at the University of San Diego School of Law. I worked as a wildlife biologist for five years before going to law school and my favorite thing to do is to search for wildlife to photograph in the field. I have been in love with animals and nature since I was born, and I am especially passionate about tropical nature. I am fortunate enough to have spent a total of two and a half years in the tropics where I studied, taught, and conducted biological fieldwork, including three months volunteering in Ecuador. I believe that the keys to saving both humans and wildlife from environmental destruction are promoting economic growth, creative teamwork, and inspiring people of all backgrounds to become avid naturalists.
Saving Cave Species - Leonardo Kwak
My name is Leo Kwak and I am a rising 2L at Notre Dame School of Law. My passion for protecting the environment and animals developed from my love and appreciation for them. As I learn more about the threats they are facing and their increasing need for protection, I hope to prepare myself to serve them meaningfully when called to do so.
Congratulations to our winners!
Leonardo Kwak - Saving Cave Species
Linda Tauscher - Art as Advocacy