On October 20th at Pace Law School, Professor John Nolon will demonstrate how local governments can preserve natural resources, maintain critical environmental functions, respond to climate change, and build sustainable communities. His presentation coincides with the launch of his new book on local environmental law, Preserving the Environment Through Land Use Law: Standing Ground, and his receipt of a prestigious award from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Demonstrating his commitment to involving students in his work, the luncheon ceremony is being co-sponsored by the Land Use and Sustainable Development, Real Estate, and Environmental Law Societies.
David Yassky, Dean of Pace Law School said, “John Nolon’s Land Use Law Center is known nationwide for developing practical experience for students, pursing rigorous and relevant scholarly endeavors, and serving the community and profession. We are proud to join Professor Nolon in the launch of his latest book, and we join ICMA in honoring him for his contributions to the legal and local government professions.”
Jason Czarnezki, Executive Director of Pace Environmental Law Programs, “The nationally ranked Environmental Law Program at Pace Law School has pushed the boundaries of environmental law for decades: redefining its practice and preparing the next generation of lawyers for the serious challenges ahead. Professor Nolon’s work with local governments contributes greatly to expanding the field of environmental law. He has sparked much progress by his innovative interpretations and applications of local land use authority. His new book demonstrates this in granular detail, and this award from the ICMA is a well-deserved recognition of his contributions to professionalism in municipal government nationally.”
Standing Ground looks at the legal foundations of local environmental law within the federal legal system. It establishes a comprehensive framework for understanding how local land use protects the environment, and outlines policies to make urban neighborhoods environmentally sensible and livable. Standing Ground also demonstrates the Pace Land Use Law Center’s innovative work since Professor Nolon founded it in 1993. The Center fosters the development of sustainable communities and regions by promoting innovative land use strategies and dispute resolution techniques. For the last 20 years, Professor Nolon and the Center have offered training programs, conferences, seminars, clinics, continuing education classes, and frequent publications and resources on land use, real estate, affordable housing, and environmental issues.
Robert J. O’Neill, ICMA Executive Director, said, “ICMA’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build sustainable communities that improve people’s lives. ICMA Honorary Membership is awarded to recognize an individual outside of the local government management profession for his or her distinguished public service and contributions to improving and strengthening local government. For his numerous contributions to increasing local governments’ capacity to build sustainable communities, it is our great pleasure to award Professor Nolon Honorary Membership in the ICMA.”
Paul Beyer, Director of Smart Growth, New York State Department of State, “I have seen the positive influence of John Nolon’s work at the local level throughout the state, as well as on state agency programming. I call him the State’s Dean of Smart Growth and Sustainable Land Use Planning and am delighted to hear about this well-deserved award from the ICMA.”
“In the Preface and Acknowledgements to the book, Professor Nolon makes clear his appreciation for the students who worked with him in its production and the contributions of the staff attorneys of the Land Use Law Center. He mentions by name nearly two dozen students who labored with him over the past two years to create Standing Ground. We are so pleased that the ICMA is honoring his contributions to the profession of municipal government since that is precisely what the book achieves,” said Jessica A. Bacher, Executive Director of the Land Use Law Center.
The ICMA award will be presented by ICMA Member and Pace Law Student J. Justin Woods, JD/MPA Candidate, (2016). Woods and Meredith Robson, the incoming Village Manager of Ardsley, New York, collaborated to nominate Professor Nolon for this award.
Robson said, “For over 20 years, Professor Nolon and the Land Use Law Center have been training local leaders in smart growth and effective municipal planning strategies. Their resources, seminars, and publications on land use, affordable housing, and local environmental issues have provided treasured counsel to countless local officials and citizen volunteers.”
“Professor Nolon and Pace Law School have built an extraordinary Center for Pace Law students to engage in innovative land use law practice focused on sustainable development. I am so grateful to work with Professor Nolon and the Center staff, and I am proud to be part of honoring Professor Nolon for all he has given to the field of planning and local government, and more importantly, for the service he provides to Pace Law students and local communities,” said Woods.
Standing Ground is published by West, the Environmental Law Institute, and the American Planning Association. All royalties are dedicated to the Land Use Law Center, and will be used to support the work of Pace Law students engaged in the Center’s programs. Standing Ground can be ordered from the Environmental Law Institute website at www.eli.org/eli-press-books.
For more information:
Any questions about the event can be directed to J. Justin Woods, Land Use & Sustainable Development Fellow at the Pace Land Use Law Center, at jwoods@law.pace.edu.
Media inquiries can be to Pace Law School through Joan Gaylord, Manager of Pace Law External Affairs, at (914) 422-4389 or jgaylord@law.pace.edu.
Any questions about the ICMA or the ICMA award can be directed to Michele Frisby, ICMA Director, Communications & Public Information, at mfrisby@icma.org.