A law firm specializing in nature advocacy is hosting a Valentine’s Day series in Aspen to celebrate and protect rivers through art, conversation, and legal innovation, according to a news release.

The series hosted by Durango-based Earth Law Center runs Friday and Saturday.

The events are co-hosted by Save the World’s Rivers and Y on Earth Community, the release states. ELC and Save the World’s Rivers have collaborated on key Rights of Nature initiatives across Colorado, including the creation of the first-ever U.S. guardianship body for a river — an achievement later overturned to build a dam. Y on Earth Community has highlighted many such campaigns on its popular podcast. 

The River I Love event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Aspen Shakti, 535 E. Hyman St. No. 105.

Registration is free with donations accepted: https://givebutter.com/RiverLove. Participants will craft love letters and poems to their favorite rivers, working alongside poets and “Earth lawyers.” The event will include brief updates on Earth-centered innovations in Colorado and beyond, with food and drinks. Professor Karen Bradshaw of Arizona State University Law School, author of Wildlife as Property Owners, will be an honored guest speaker. Prior to the event, there will be a gathering at the John Denver Sanctuary for a special “I Think I’ll be a River” song performed by Joe Henry. 

The following morning, at 9:30 a.m., Earth Law Center will host an event at the Aspen Chapel called “Nature’s Voice: Law & Spiritual Ecology.” In addition to exploring the Rights of Nature through a multi-media talk, the event will introduce “The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity,” an eco-fable originally written by an Islamic scholar and later translated into Hebrew at the request of a Christian king. Free to the public with donations accepted.