Welcome to Tom Darin

by Mac Blewer and Nancy Debevoise

In early January, WOC welcomed Tom Darin as its new public lands and resources programn director.

Raised in Chicago, Tom graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in political science and received his law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law. After law school, he worked as an associate for law firms in Aurora and Rockford, IL and clerked for a judge on the U.S. District Court in Rockford. Last year, he moved to Missoula, MT, where he worked as a pro bono attorney for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and pursued a Master’s Degree in Resource Conservation at the University of Montana.

While at NWF, Tom focused primarily on public interest and environmental law projects involving the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. He was lead counsel in a successful lawsuit brought against the National Resource Conservation Service by the Federation for the agency’s violation of numerous federal laws in adopting new wetlands mapping criteria in South Dakota.

Tom France, Senior Counsel and Director of the NWF’s Northern Rockies Office, has high praise for Tom. "He’s a great guy and a great lawyer. WOC is fortunate to have Tom, not to mention the Lander community and the state of Wyoming."

"Joining WOC’s staff is an exciting challenge," says Tom. "I believe that near-sighted policy and management decisions which favor resource extraction over other important public-lands values will be the biggest threats facing Wyoming during the next decade."

Tom says he looks forward to working on a host of issues that affect the health of the state’s public lands. "Heedless oil and gas development, inappropriate timber sales and livestock overgrazing clearly jeopardize Wyoming’s bountiful wildlife, air and water quality and recreation opportunities. I am totally committed to helping ensure that Wyoming’s public lands are managed properly for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations."

Tom is an avid fly-fisher, hiker and camper who has recently taken up snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. "I know I’ll really enjoy living within a stone’s throw of the Wind River Range and the Red Desert," he says. "I can’t think of a better combination than loving what you do and loving where you live."

"Tom’s commitment to conservation, his expertise in environmental law and his passion for the outdoors are an unbeatable combination," says WOC executive director Dan Heilig. "We’re very fortunate to have lured Tom to Wyoming. I know he’ll be a tremendous asset to WOC."