We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.
We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.
We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands
Protecting Wildlife
Safeguarding Climate
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.
Support Our Work!
We fight in court to defend the western U.S. on behalf of our clients free of charge, but we can’t do it without your support!
EXPLORE WAYS TO GIVE
PODCAST: STORIES OF KINSHIP
We envision a thriving, resilient future for western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. The Stories of Kinship podcast shares key updates as we we work toward this vision, connecting our efforts across subject matter and state lines. Click here to learn more and subscribe!
PODCAST: STORIES OF KINSHIP
We envision a thriving, resilient future for western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. The Stories of Kinship podcast shares key updates as we we work toward this vision, connecting our efforts across subject matter and state lines. Click here to learn more and subscribe!
Defending Wildlands
The 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 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 western communities, lands, rivers, and wildlife. But, as the saying goes, in every crisis lies opportunity.
Court orders changes to controversial water quality certification, delaying destruction of sacred Tribal resources
A panel of judges today sided with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation) and Columbia Riverkeeper, and the Western Environmental Law Center, ordering the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) to rewrite a portion of a...
Conservation groups to challenge Trump administration’s move to banish bison from public lands
Western Watersheds Project, represented by the Western Environmental Law Center, on Wednesday filed a complaint in Montana Federal District Court against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for revoking American Prairie’s permits to graze bison on public lands in...
Lawsuit challenges Trump’s decision to stop protecting species’ habitat
Today, conservation groups and a fishing guide filed suit in federal court in San Francisco to challenge the Trump administration’s new interpretation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that “harm” to species does not include destroying their habitat. The new...




