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.
TIPSHEET: EPA COVID-19 non-enforcement policy
On March 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a temporary policy of relaxing enforcement of key environmental laws during the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 outbreak has had and will continue to have a profound impact on daily life and...
Thousands call for U.S. Bureau of Land Management to cancel sale of public lands for fracking in New Mexico
A coalition of groups yesterday appealed to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to suspend a proposal to sell public lands for fracking in light of the COVID-19 crisis and the economic collapse of the oil and gas industry. In a formal administrative appeal (also called...
NM advocates welcome PRC’s unanimous approval of plan to exit San Juan Generating Station
A large coalition of New Mexico community, faith, tribal, and environmental advocates today welcomed the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s (PRC) decision to approve Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) request to abandon or exit the San Juan Generating...
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>>
