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.
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WOLVES BELONG
Dive into wolves’ story of survival, learn more about their role as a keystone species, and find your path to action
From the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park to the hills of eastern Oregon, we’re working to protect vulnerable wolf populations across the West. Learn more about why this iconic species matters so much, the threats they face today, and how you can take action to support their recovery here.
Defending Wildlands
The western U.S. 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 western U.S. 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 communities, lands, rivers, and wildlife of the western U.S. But, as the saying goes, in every crisis lies opportunity.
OR, WA wolf counts illustrate the impact of human-caused mortality on PNW wolves
Oregon and Washington released the results of state wolf surveys for 2024 this week, presenting a contrast in how the species is recovering in the Pacific Northwest. In Oregon, wolf population increased 14% in 2024 over 2023 levels while in Washington, wolf population...
NM community groups strongly support bill to codify 10-mile mineral withdrawal surrounding Chaco
New Mexico community groups today express their strong support for the revival of a 2023 bill backed by the state’s entire Congressional delegation to codify into law a 10-mile buffer zone restricting new oil and gas extraction around Chaco Culture National Historical...
Water Quality Control Commission poised to adopt rule prohibiting discharge of oil, gas wastewater to ground, surface waters
Rule would allow dangerous exception for “pilot projects” to discharge 84,000 gallons per day of treated fossil fuel waste to groundwater, risking public health Following a day and a half of deliberations, the Water Quality Control Commission is poised to adopt...
WELC Land Acknowledgement
The Western Environmental Law Center acknowledges that we live and work on the homelands of Indigenous Peoples across the western United States. We honor these original peoples who have long stewarded these lands, and we celebrate their resilience and richness of their languages, traditions, and cultures. Read more here.
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