School of Law Brings Learning Beyond the Classroom Through Field Experiences
May 19, 2026
At the UNM School of Law, experiential learning is an impactful part of the student experience that extends far beyond the classroom. Through immersive field trips and community engagement, students in clinical and natural resources courses are gaining firsthand insight into the legal, environmental, and cultural issues shaping New Mexico.
Professor Cliff Villa recently led students in the Natural Resources and Environmental Law (NREL) clinic on a field trip to Mora, New Mexico. Students met with the New Mexico Acequia Association to present the legal research they had conducted throughout the semester. The visit provided students with the opportunity to see how their work directly supports community organizations and addresses real-world challenges.
While in Mora, students also toured areas impacted by the devastating Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, one of the largest wildfires in New Mexico’s history. The group was guided by members of the local volunteer fire department and witnessed the lasting effects of the fire on the landscape and local communities.
In another hands-on learning experience, Professor Warigia Bowman led her Natural Resources and Property students on a field trip across northern New Mexico. Students met with leaders from the Jemez Pueblo and Pecos Pueblo, gaining valuable perspective on tribal lands, water law, forest management, rangelands, endangered species, national monuments, wildfires, and renewable energy.
The group also toured the Valles Caldera National Preserve and hiked along the East Fork of the Jemez River. These experiences brought classroom concepts to life, connecting legal concepts with the physical landscapes and communities they impact.
These field-based learning opportunities reflect the School of Law’s commitment to preparing students not only as legal scholars, but as thoughtful practitioners equipped to engage with complex, real-world challenges.
