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
NOW HIRING: DEPUTY DIRECTOR
WELC is growing, and we need a thoughtful, kind, and passionate deputy director to help broaden our positive impact across the western U.S. Come join a perennial Outside Magazine Best Place to Work, Oregon Business Best Green Workplace, and Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics recipient! Read more
NOW HIRING: DEPUTY DIRECTOR
WELC is growing, and we need a thoughtful, kind, and passionate deputy director to help broaden our positive impact across the western U.S. Come join a perennial Outside Magazine Best Place to Work, Oregon Business Best Green Workplace, and Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics recipient! 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.
Legal warning challenges plan to log thousands of acres of Oregon’s old-growth forest reserves
A coalition of Oregon conservation organizations notified the Bureau of Land Management today it intends to sue the agency to protect marbled murrelets and coastal martens from a plan by the agency to log thousands of acres of old-growth forest in areas designated as...
Wildlife advocates to challenge new, inadequate federal Mexican gray wolf recovery rule
Today, Western Environmental Law Center, on behalf of group of conservation organizations that includes WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Project, Wildlands Network, New Mexico Wild, and Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife...
Lawsuit challenges Biden’s resumption of oil, gas leasing on public lands
Climate and conservation groups filed a lawsuit late Tuesday challenging the Biden administration’s resumption of oil and gas leasing on public lands today — the first auctions since the president paused leasing shortly after taking office. The lawsuit challenges the...
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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