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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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
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.
Community, conservation groups successfully defend NM clean air rule from industry challenge
Community and conservation groups successfully defended a “proximity proposal” and other provisions of New Mexico’s ozone precursor rule from an Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM) challenge before the New Mexico Court of Appeals. IPANM’s legal...
Feds finalize Canada lynx recovery plan, propose first-ever habitat protections in CO, NM
Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a recovery plan and proposed new critical habitat designations for threatened Canada lynx, including for the first time areas in the southern Rockies. Conservation groups had prevailed...
House passes bill to weaponize tax code against nonprofits
This morning, the federal House of Representatives voted 219-184 to pass H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. The bill, framed as an anti-terrorism bill, would give the president, via the Secretary of the Treasury, the power...
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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