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 western U.S. 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 western U.S. 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 western U.S. 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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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
VICTORY FOR WOLVES
WELC’s Case Restored Endangered Species Protections
Alongside our excellent partners, we restored endangered species protections for wolves across most of the U.S. Wolves in the western U.S. need those protections to return to their role as beneficial ecosystem regulators in places from which they were eradicated over a century ago. Read more
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.
Lawsuit challenges Biden’s resumption of oil, gas leasing on public lands
Climate and conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the Biden administration’s resumption of oil and gas leasing on public lands, the first auction since the president paused leasing shortly after taking office. The lawsuit challenges the Department of...
Supreme Court aborts its credibility
Today’s Supreme Court decision eliminating a woman’s constitutional right to safe, legal abortions lays bare the court’s conservative perspective and eliminates 50 years of freedom for American women and non-binary people to choose what happens to their own bodies....
Groups sue to protect Shasta River coho salmon from NOAA Fisheries greenwashing program
Today, the Environmental Protection Information Center, Friends of the Shasta River, and the Western Environmental Law Center challenged in federal court the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) flawed Shasta River...
WELC Acknowledges Stolen Lands
The Western Environmental Law Center acknowledges that the lands we live and work on across the western United States were stolen from the original peoples that lived here. We respectfully honor the Tribes and original peoples who have long stewarded these lands. Read more here.
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