Marek is a third-year JD/Masters of Energy Regulation and Law dual degree student at Vermont Law and Graduate School. He grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, living next to a state park dotted with small farms and a creek flowing through it. Marek liked to go hiking, running, and canoeing in the park and still participates in these activities when he visits home. Marek moved to Vermont for law school because of its commitment and focus on environmental, agricultural, and energy issues. Aside from learning about the law, he has a great interest in learning about the local ecology and environment. Marek likes to spend his free time gardening and learning about different plants, and has planted various native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers at home, and combatted incursions of deer undoing his efforts, (to varying degrees of success). Marek ultimately wants to do work in the public interest to help protect our environment against persistent threats from “development.” He is excited to be a part of an incredible team here at CURE that shares my interests and values, and looks forward to contributing to projects that will help protect small communities.