This morning, we are reminded of Terry Tempest Williams’ haunting declaration: “Finding beauty in a broken world is creating beauty in the world we find.” In the coming months, we will need—more than ever—to create that beauty. For we now find ourselves, once again, facing a challenging and chaotic political era—a second Trump presidency.
But know this: Our fierce, steadfast, and skilled attorneys and advocates will again hold the line for the West’s lands, waters, and life in court—fighting back against what we expect to be a storm of attacks on bedrock environmental protections. In response to the first Trump presidency, our battle-hardened attorneys:
- Halted a plan to supercharge oil and gas extraction on 4 million acres of public lands
- Secured scientifically backed Endangered Species Act protections for wolves, Yellowstone grizzly bears, and wolverine
- Eliminated a huge post-fire logging loophole
- Restored the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument expansion area
- Stopped a 175-million-ton coal mine expansion in Montana
- Restored critical Clean Water Act protections
- Reinstated 3.4 million acres of threatened northern spotted owl critical habitat
- Reversed the gutting of the National Environmental Policy Act
- Defended rules to protect public health from oil and gas methane emissions
The Trump administration has, of course, learned from its mistakes, and we expect the next four years will be harder than the first. We will need courage. We will need strength. And we will need your help—more than ever. As you ponder this moment, we’d like to offer you a few thoughts.
First, let us witness the beauty of the world around us, whether of the West’s many special wild places or even of the simple quiet of our backyard gardens. In witnessing beauty, we can each find the inspiration to energize the hard work that, together, we must do in the coming weeks and months.
Second, make no mistake: The Western Environmental Law Center will wield the full power of the law to vigorously defend the West’s wildlands, wildlife, and communities. This is not to suggest there will not be loss. But every ounce of pollution we keep from our skies and every acre of public lands we protect is more important than ever before. With proven, battle-tested advocates and a legacy of climate and conservation results spanning more than 30 years, we will withstand the political moment and press forward toward a healthier world.
Third, let us recognize that we are in this together. There is power in community, power in our shared capacities, and power in our shared will to leave the world a better place. We thus commit to you that we will defend the West and build power with you and our 150+ annual partner groups to ensure that the West’s wildlands, wildlife, and communities endure. We ask that you now commit to us your support so that, together, we keep the flame of hope alive. For hope is not delicate. It is fierce. It is strong. It is us.
In solidarity,
Erik Schlenker-Goodrich
Executive Director
Sristi Kamal
Deputy Director
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