Defending the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the full power of the law to defend and protect the American West’s treasured landscapes, iconic wildlife, and rural communities. We combine our legal skills with sound conservation biology and environmental science to address major environmental issues in the West in the most strategic and effective manner.
Defending the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the full power of the law to defend and protect the American West’s treasured landscapes, iconic wildlife, and rural communities. We combine our legal skills with sound conservation biology and environmental science to address major environmental issues in the West in the most strategic and effective manner.
Defending the West
Defending Wildlands
Protecting Wildlife
Safeguarding Climate
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the full power of the law to defend and protect the American West’s treasured landscapes, iconic wildlife, and rural communities. We combine our legal skills with sound conservation biology and environmental science to address major environmental issues in the West in the most strategic and effective manner.
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We fight in court to defend the American West on behalf of our clients free of charge, but we can’t do it without your support!
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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.
WELC statement on Charlottesville violence, hate in America
Taos, NM – Today, we acknowledge our responsibility to stand in solidarity with all people and communities of good conscience who oppose hatred and discrimination. Heather Heyer’s murder at the hands of a white nationalist in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend was...
Court halts expansion of largest proposed underground coal mine in the country
BILLINGS, Mont. - A U.S. District Court judge ruled Monday that the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) improperly approved the expansion of Signal Peak Energy’s Bull Mountain coal mine, south of Roundup, Montana. The judge ordered that mining immediately stop in...
Court upholds agreement protecting imperiled lynx from trapping
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Montana Trappers Association’s appeal of a settlement agreement between Friends of the Wild Swan, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, WildEarth Guardians, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that protects lynx from being...