Instructor Spotlight: Elizabeth Pollock
Elizabeth Pollock is a Senior Associate for Remy Moose Manley, LLP. Over the course of her 11-year career, Ms. Pollock’s practice has focused on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, natural resources, endangered species, air and water quality and other land use and environmental statutes.
Prior to joining Remy Moose Manley, LLP, Ms. Pollock worked for six years as a Deputy Attorney III for the California Department of Transportation, and for one year as an Environmental Circuit Prosecutor for the Circuit Prosecutor Project. During her time working for Caltrans, she did a one-year rotation with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, where she assisted with drafting revisions to the CEQA Guidelines.
Ms. Pollock teaches the Planning and Environmental Law course, which is also a required class in the Land Use and Environmental Planning Certificate.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is interacting with and learning from the students. I spend much of my professional life in an office working at a computer, so I especially appreciate the opportunity to step away from the office and engage with folks at many different stages in their careers. The students have so much valuable insight and they definitely keep me on my toes!
How would a student describe your teaching style?
I’ve learned from past teaching experience that student interaction and discussion are key to creating a fun, educational classroom experience. I think my previous students would say my teaching style is relaxed, and that I foster discussion and critical thinking.
California has always taken a lead when it comes to environmental compliance and law. Why do you think that is important?
California is a tremendously diverse state in every sense of the word. We have over 3,000 miles of coastline, 300-foot tall redwood trees, one of the purest large lakes in the world, the Sierra Nevada mountains, vast deserts and millions of acres of agricultural land. California is also home to nearly 40 million people, over half of whom are people of color. We are in the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis, and many of our most vulnerable community members do not have access to critically necessary support or services. To thrive in such a diverse environment, it is critical that we as a state continue to be a leader in environmental compliance and law.
In your opinion, what separates UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Land Use and Environmental Planning Certificate from similar certificate programs?
UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s [land use and natural resources] program stands out, in part, because of the networking opportunity that comes from participating. The instructors and the students are generally professionals in the field, with a diverse range of relevant experiences. The opportunity to connect and learn with others in the same or similar careers, but with varying levels of experience, is invaluable.