Consulting Experience

• International dispute resolution research regarding trade and environment issues.

• Consultant for legal and policy advice to technical assistance grant recipients.

• Prepared briefing White Paper for Environmental Defense and SeaWeb on Conflict Resolution for Addressing Climate Change with Ocean Altering Projects.
• Research and technical consultant for a project to test the use of vessel monitoring systems in the Sea of Cortez to enforce the boundaries of marine reserves.

• Consultant on Cuba transition and integration policies.
• Assisted in preparations for the Second International Conference on Privatization in Latin America and for the Latin American Environmental and Hemispheric Technological Cooperation Conference.
• Prepared official report on the privatization conference.

• Prepared briefing paper/talking points for President of the Bank regarding US/Mexico Border Environmental Infrastructure issues for a border infrastructure conference sponsored by the US Department of Commerce and the Mexican Secretary of Commerce and Industrial Development.
• Contracted to assist in research and writing of two reports evaluating the bank’s development projects for the board of directors. Statistical evaluation and policy analysis of the bank’s social sector loans regarding the affect of community participation and the alleviation of poverty.
• Designed study, and researched and wrote report evaluating the bank’s procurement of consultant services.

• Research and drafting of report on third-party laboratory certification of Chinese Traditional Medicine suppliers for compliance with CITES.
• Strategy advice regarding anti-whaling campaign.
• Strategy advice and research support for work to conserve gray whale habitat near Sakahlin Island, Russia.
• Strategy advice regarding protection of Russian World Heritage site in Siberia.
• Prepared strategy and initial business plan for IFAW entry in Latin America.
• Researched and prepared report on whale watching laws in North America.
• Represented IFAW and served as rapporteur at workshop entitled “Legal Aspects of Whale Watching” in Punta Arenas, Chile.

Advisor for the successful campaign to save Laguna San Ignacio

“The most significant [environmental] victory of our generation.”– Cox News

• Designed strategy to halt plans to build industrial saltworks in a Biosphere Reserve.
• Testified before the Mexican Congress’ Chamber of Deputies special Commission to Investigate the Environmental Impacts of the Activities of the Parastatal Exportadora de Sal, S.A. de C.V.
• Represented US environmental groups at Mexican environmental agency hearing regarding the proposed operation of a salt evaporation facility in a gray whale birthing lagoon in the Vizcaķno Desert Biosphere Reserve.
• Researched and drafted report analyzing the socio-economic and political factors related to the proposed salt evaporation facility.
• Researched and drafted legal report analyzing permissible activities in an UNESCO biosphere reserve under international standards and Mexican law.
• Researched and prepared formal request for “World Heritage in Danger” status for the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaķno..
• Represented US and Mexican environmental groups at the annual meetings of the World Heritage Bureau and World Heritage Committee in Kyoto, Japan (1998) and in Marrakech, Morocco (1999). Successfully lobbied for start of process for the World Heritage in Danger designation.
• Liaison between IFAW, NRDC and Mexican environmental NGO partners.
• Fomented formation of coalition of Baja California conservation organizations, Pro Peninsula.

• Conference preparations consultant “NAFTA: Environmental Impacts Beyond the Borders.”
• Editor for book on NAFTA and the Environment.

• Provided advice on location, formation and hiring for new California regional office. (1999)
• Prepared report “NAFTA Plus 5, On the Right Track? An Assessment of the BECC/NADBank Institutions, 2nd Edition.” (1999)
• Prepared report “Promising Potential for the U.S.-Mexico Border and for the Future: An Assessment of the BECC/NADBank Institutions.” (1997)
• Briefing on NAFTA and the environment for NWF annual meeting.
• Assisted in preparation of NWF’s participation in the independent review of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation.

• Consultant regarding Mexican environmental issues.
• Participating in campaign to limit noise pollution in the oceans
  • Lead strategy advisor and research support for the international aspects for campaign to reduce noise/acoustic pollution in the ocean.
• Participation in campaign to protect Okinawan dugong habitat
  • Lead strategy advisor on campaign to prevent construction of floating heliport in sensitive habitat.
• Participated in the campaign to save Clayoquot Sound
  • Prepared briefing materials on the US-Canada softwood lumber trade dispute for the Clinton Administration’s Pacific Northwest Conference (the Forest Summit) and for the Vice President’s meetings with the Prime Minister of British Columbia. Briefed members of Congress regarding policy produced by the Forest Summit.
  • Researched and authored “Trade and the Environment: The British Columbian Timber Trade Example.”
  • Served as escort for six Native American chiefs of the First Nations of Canada in briefing visits to US Senators regarding trade in natural resources.
• General legal/policy research and analysis on international trade and environment issues. Draft reports, position papers, and Congressional testimony for presentations to the executive and legislative branches, as well as the media. Brief senior attorneys and policy analysts on international trade issues. Respond to media inquiries on trade and environment issues.
  • Assisted in coordinating environmental NGO input for Vice President Gore’s National Performance Review (Reinventing Government Task Force) on Environmental Protection Agency issues. Provided advice to the task force on alternative financing mechanisms, pollution prevention, and international environmental issues.
  • Assisted in research and drafting of NRDC’s proposals for a North American Commission on the Environment presented to the US Trade Representative. Acted as spokesperson for NRDC at high-level meetings with the USTR, the EPA, and the Department of Justice regarding the NAFTA environmental side agreement. Drafted proposed language for the side agreement on citizens’ rights-to-know and citizen enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
  • Assisted in research and drafting of NRDC’s proposals related to the Border Environment Cooperation Commission and North American Development Bank.
  • Assisted in research and drafting of NRDC’s follow-up on the environmental aspects of the Summit of the Americas process.
  • Assisted in research and drafting of “Biodiversity Flashpoints in the Americas.”
  • Assisted in research and drafting of “The Greening of North American Trade – Four Years Later: A Report Card on Implementation of the NAFTA Environmental Package.”
  • Co-chaired a roundtable discussion on financing Agenda 21 at the first meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.
  • Work closely with the Consortium for Action to Protect the Earth (CAPE 2000), a coalition of six major US environmental organizations to follow up on the UN Conference on Environment and Development.
  • Prepared detailed listing of threats to natural protected areas in Mexico.
  • Contracted to develop project related to energy and the environment in Mexico.

• Research regarding lessons from NAFTA for the integration of environmental issues into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
• Lecture for conference on APEC and the environment.

• Research support and advice for project to define minimum requirements for project compliance with Border Environment Cooperation Commission sustainable development criteria.
• Advice on US and Mexican and transboundary environmental law and policy regarding technical assistance to communities developing environmental infrastructure for Border Environment Cooperation Commission certification.

• Advice and bilingual facilitation for Biodiversity Conservation tri-national workshop: “Towards the Conservation of Marine Species & Spaces of Common Concern in North America” for the development of the North American Marine Protected Areas Network (NAMPAN).
• Facilitated one-day, tri-national Roundtable on Alien Invasive Species for the Joint Public Advisory Committee.
• Facilitated a two-day tri-national workshop on invasive aquatic species.
• Co-authored report on “North American Boundary and Transboundary Inland Water Management Report.”
• Prepared report on “Standards and Guidelines: Land Use Planning and Zoning” for an Ecotourism Workshop.
• Co-authored study “A Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism in Natural Areas in North America” for the NAFTA/Environment Program.
• Liaison for the Conservation Program on the bi-national pilot implementation of the UNEP’s Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities.
• Prepared report on the “Creation of Environmental Networks” for the Joint Public Advisory Committee.
• Prepared report “Potential NAFTA Effects: Claims and Arguments 1991—1994” for the NAFTA/Environment Program.
• Prepared comments on guidelines for factual submission management and access to information pursuant to Articles 14 and 15 of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation.

• Prepared report on improving transparency, public consultations and community outreach.
• Organized and moderated public consultation meetings throughout the US-Mexico border region.
• Prepared report on how to assist small and poor border communities in pursuing environmental infrastructure needs.

• Contracted to develop a strategic plan for a campaign to foster the creation of a network of marine reserves along the Oregon State coastal area.

• General policy research and analysis regarding recommendations to the North American Development Bank on the use of alternative technologies in NADBank financed border environmental infrastructure projects

• Assisted in research and preparation of comments on successful challenge to an environmental impact assessment regarding a tourism resort complex at San Quintķn, Baja California.
• Advisor on legal issues and fundraising.

• Assisted international health care and development non-profit register and learn to bid for projects financed by the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
• Advisor on US/Mexico border environmental health issues.

• Legal advisor for non-profit ecotourism provider.

• Evaluated the viability of a large scale corporate and markets campaign regarding four major seafood species for SeaWeb and the National Environmental Trust; co-author of campaign plan and related successful grant requests.

• Consultant on expansion of programs to strengthen the financial base of non-governmental organizations and community based organizations.

• General policy research and analysis for Border Environment Cooperation Commission Board Member, Lynda Taylor, on sustainable development and public participation.