In the epic novel “Gone with the Wind,” Margaret Mitchell wrote, “Land is the only thing in the world that amounts to anything, for it’s the only thing in this world that lasts.” It’s a reminder to Chelsea Duke (MLS ’23) of how important her work in natural resources is.
“Land is at the center of everything in natural resources,” she explains. “Without land, we wouldn’t have habitat, and without habitat, we wouldn’t have wildlife.”
As the wildlife lands coordinator at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Duke acquires and manages the state’s wildlife properties to provide wildlife with needed habitat areas. She began working for the State of Utah straight out of college nearly 10 years ago, first as a research analyst and in her current role beginning in 2019.
“What set me on this path in particular is the connection between land and wildlife. Wildlife needs habitat to survive, and being a part of securing land in perpetuity for our state’s wildlife is such a privilege,” she says. “One project I am most proud of is the 2021 purchase of the Cinnamon Creek Wildlife Management Area, an 8,600-acre property in northern Utah that protects critically important summer range for many big game species. I love knowing that I am part of something bigger than myself.”
Forming a foundation in law
Duke received her bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife science from Oregon State University and a graduate certificate in geographic information sciences (GIS) from Utah State University, but still felt something was missing from her education.
“As I progressed in my career, I realized that wildlife management involves much more than the biology I learned as an undergraduate. I saw gaps in my knowledge, skills, and ability to tackle complex issues that intertwined with the law. This led me to look for other opportunities, and Utah Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program seemed like the perfect fit for the growth I was seeking,” she says.
She enrolled in the in-person MLS program, which allows students an opportunity to switch out any non-required MLS courses for JD course offerings. Keen to get the most out of her legal education, Duke took advantage of this benefit and enrolled in several JD courses that fit more closely with her career goals. One of her favorites was Professor Robert Keiter’s course on natural resources law.
“Professor Keiter ensured I got the most out of the class as an MLS student enrolled in a JD course,” she says. “For my final, I wrote a lengthy paper about a real-world legal issue I was facing at work. He helped me with my outline, reviewed drafts, and at the end of the semester I had a paper I was proud of that helped me navigate a complex problem.”
Moreover, she appreciates the support from Utah Law’s community.
“Everyone was dedicated to my success, from the support staff to professors and peers who eagerly helped me achieve this goal,” she says. “I was welcomed with open arms in each JD class and graduated feeling that I had every opportunity to learn about the things that meant the most to me.”
Since her graduation in August 2023—and her return to Utah Law in fall 2025 to enroll in more JD courses—Duke has already seen the rewards of her legal education in her career. She approaches problems with a new set of tools and resources, and she’s accepted more DWR leadership roles, including assistant chief of habitat and assistant legislative liaison.
“The knowledge, skills and confidence I gained from my time at Utah Law all contributed to my growth within the agency,” she says.
Building a career in natural resources
DWR’s recent 50,000-acre purchase in the Book Cliffs Roadless Area in Grand County, Utah, is a highlight of Duke’s career. A unique and important property for wildlife and the public, Book Cliffs is home to elk, deer, bison and many other native wildlife species, and many Utahns have enjoyed hunting and fishing in the area. This purchase was also the largest of its kind on record.
“The process to procure this land was years in the making, beginning with a law passed by the Utah legislature in 2024 that allowed large blocks of Trust Lands Administration land to be sold directly to DWR without going to public auction,” Duke explains.
Finally, the Trust Lands Administration wrote administrative laws to finalize a process for any transactions and completed more than a year of due diligence with the DWR to present the proposal to the Trust Lands Administration Board.
“Everyone was all smiles while sitting in the conference room signing the final paperwork to make the purchase complete,” she says. “It took a lot of hard work and patience, but the payoff for everyone made that moment special and will benefit wildlife in the area for years to come.”
Though still in the early stages of her career, Duke is mindful of the people who have mentored her along the way, particularly Robin Goodman, who works as the Eccles Wildlife Education Center coordinator at DWR.
“Robin took me under her wing when I first started out with the DWR and has helped me significantly in my career. She has always reminded me that I have earned my seat at the table, and that I should be proud to lean into my career and give my very best each day,” Duke says.
Overall, Duke appreciates that there are laws and regulations in place to protect and conserve natural resources—and that she can be a part of that process now.
“At the DWR, our belief is that wildlife is valuable to everyone, and seeing laws that reflect that value is exciting. I have a profound appreciation for natural resources law, because I get to see how we have shaped this field of law to ensure that these resources are available for generations to come,” she says. “I have seen that particularly in my work as the assistant legislative liaison, where I get to work with Utah lawmakers on their ideas to improve our state wildlife laws.”