We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the power of the law to safeguard the public lands, wildlife, and communities of the American West in the face of a changing climate. We envision a thriving, resilient West, abundant with protected public lands and wildlife, powered by clean energy, and defended by communities rooted in an ethic of conservation.
We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the power of the law to safeguard the public lands, wildlife, and communities of the American West in the face of a changing climate. We envision a thriving, resilient West, abundant with protected public lands and wildlife, powered by clean energy, and defended by communities rooted in an ethic of conservation.
We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands
Protecting Wildlife
Safeguarding Climate
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the power of the law to safeguard the public lands, wildlife, and communities of the American West in the face of a changing climate. We envision a thriving, resilient West, abundant with protected public lands and wildlife, powered by clean energy, and defended by communities rooted in an ethic of conservation.
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EXPLORE WAYS TO GIVE
Defending Wildlands
The American West is defined by its natural heritage of wildlands, rivers, forests, and wildlife. Since its inception, WELC has worked hard to preserve and restore these unique characteristics.
Protecting Wildlife
The American West depends on its iconic wildlife. WELC protects native animals while preserving and restoring the healthy, functioning natural ecosystems they call home.
Safeguarding Climate
Our world is warming, with dire consequences to the American West’s communities, lands, rivers, and wildlife. But, as the saying goes, in every crisis lies opportunity.
Stamping out “accidental” grizzly deaths
People sometimes shoot threatened grizzly bears, confusing them for black bears. Bear baiting stations frequently result in these tragic and most often lethal cases of mistaken identity. We’re working to prevent these unnecessary and unacceptable incidents. Learn more here.
New Keystone XL lawsuit: Montana’s response to anticipated protests in question
Today, the ACLU of Montana, Western Environmental Law Center, and the Bahr Law Offices challenged two Montana state agencies’ refusal to release public records relating to the Keystone XL Pipeline. The documents in question pertain to the government’s plans in...
NM Supreme Court: Energy Transition Act applies to San Juan Generating Station abandonment
Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled the state Public Regulation Commission (PRC) must apply the Energy Transition Act (ETA) to Public Service Co. of New Mexico’s (PNM) abandonment of its remaining interest in the San Juan Generating Station. A key element of...
Communities raise concerns regarding federal agency determination that shuns protected species to promote Jordan Cove LNG
Oregonians across the state responded today to the determination on Jan. 13 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that the proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline would not jeopardize protected...
Extinction’s Opposing Counsel
Wildlife attorney Matt Bishop has dedicated his career to fighting extinction. He focuses on predators – keystone species whose importance to ecosystem health can’t be overstated. Likewise, Matt’s success in defending those species has had an outsized impact across the West. Matt’s fellow WELC attorney Laura King wrote a profile on Matt, offering a look inside our Montana office and what drives extinction’s opposing counsel. MORE>>
