[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Fullwidth Slider” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_font_size=”45″ header_letter_spacing=”10px” body_font=”|on|||” body_font_size=”15″ background_enable_image=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14″ button_bg_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” button_letter_spacing=”1″ button_font=”|||on|” custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”|||” custom_padding_phone=”|||” auto=”on” auto_speed=”8888″ header_font_size_tablet=”35″ header_font_size_phone=”25″ header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_title=”text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #000;” box_shadow_style=”preset6″ box_shadow_blur=”10px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” remove_inner_shadow=”off” hide_content_on_mobile=”off” hide_cta_on_mobile=”off” show_inner_shadow=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”1″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_letter_spacing__hover=”1″ button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][et_pb_slide heading=”We Defend the West” use_bg_overlay=”on” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.25)” use_text_overlay=”off” admin_title=”We Defend the West” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”||||” body_font=”||||” body_font_size=”16″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CO_iStock_Brooke-Alexander_edit-1.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” button_border_color=”#ffffff” button_font=”|||on|” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” body_font_size_tablet=”16″ body_font_size_phone=”16″ button_text_size_tablet=”15″ button_text_size_phone=”15″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”30px||30px|” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”About Us + 3 paras” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. We envision a thriving West, abundant with protected and interconnected ecosystems, powered by renewable energy, and cared for by communities brought together in an ecology of kinship. WELC works close to the ground, with offices in Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Montana, and Colorado. As a public interest law firm, WELC does not charge clients and partners<\/a> for services, but relies instead on charitable gifts from individuals, families, and foundations to accomplish our mission. WELC integrates national policies and regional perspective with the local knowledge of our 165+ partner groups to implement smart and appropriate place-based solutions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Charity-Navigator-Logo-2024-108×108-1.png” alt=”charity navigator four-star charity” title_text=”Charity Navigator Logo 2024 108×108″ url=”https:\/\/www.charitynavigator.org\/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7418″ url_new_window=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Charity Navigator Four Star Charity” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/1-percent-for-the-planet-200×84.png” alt=”Charity Navigator Four Star Charity” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”1% for the planet” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/aC-seal-H-bbb-large.png” alt=”better business bureau accredited charity” title_text=”aC-seal-H-bbb-large” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”1% for the BBB Accredited Charity” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”40px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px|||” custom_padding_phone=”10px|||” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(106,119,97,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Our Mission” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(142,131,109,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(115,106,132,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Board” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n WELC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of renowned attorneys, academics, and conservationists from across the country.<\/p>\n Meet the board\u00a0\u00bb<\/a> WELC has offices throughout the West. Meet the people who, supported by our donors, do the day-to-day work of defending the West.<\/p>\n Contact our staff \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Workplace Awards” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/oregon-business-best-nonprofits-no-year-transparent-300×247.png” alt=”welc is an oregon business best nonprofit to work for” title_text=”oregon business best nonprofits no year transparent” url=”https:\/\/oregonbusiness.com\/100-best-nonprofits-to-work-for-in-oregon-in-2023-2\/” url_new_window=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Oregon Business bptw image” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ width=”80%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Oregon Business BPTW” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n WELC offers incredible work-life balance and tons of job flexibility, which among other things led Oregon Business Magazine\u00a0<\/em>to award us as one of Oregon’s best nonprofits to work for in 2025. We truly care for one another here, and management takes care of staff not only because kindness is a way of life at WELC, but also because our people are our greatest resource. We want people to stick around, have more fun, and do more good with the WELC team. Read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”nonprofit times best nonprofits” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The NonProfit Times<\/em>, the leading business publication for nonprofit management, named WELC the #6 overall best nonprofit to work for in 2025! This recognition takes into account personnel policies such as salary, vacation, and health insurance benefits. It also measures the cultures of applicant organizations, how happy staff truly are, how dedicated employees feel and how management supports them. We’re proud to receive this recognition, and we are always striving to improve our workplace so our talented attorneys and support staff can make the strongest possible difference for our environment and communities. Read more about this honor here<\/a>!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/nonprofit-times-best-places-2025-website-image.png” alt=”welc is the number 6 best nonprofit to work for in 2025 according to the nonprofit times” title_text=”nonprofit times best places 2025-website image” url=”https:\/\/thenonprofittimes.com\/npt_articles\/npts-best-nonprofits-to-work-for-staff-still-love-their-work-just-not-as-much\/” url_new_window=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”NonProfit Times image” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/M10A8491-Edit_2_Staff-and-Board-Edit-1-scaled.jpg” alt=”WELC staff and board” title_text=”M10A8491-Edit_2_Staff and Board-Edit-1″ url=”https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/culture\/essays-culture\/best-places-to-work-2024\/” url_new_window=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”outside bptw image” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Outside BPTW” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n WELC believes in taking care of people. Our policies provide for generous vacation time, great benefits, and a strong culture of camaraderie. We\u2019re small enough that we all know and care about each other but big enough to take down powerful corporate polluters and government scofflaws. We get to do high-level, large-scale work and execute it in places we know and love to explore. For these reasons and more, Outside Magazine<\/em> named us as a best place to work for the sixth year in a row in 2024<\/a>!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/westernlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Torch-Awards-WINNER.png” alt=”WELC is a law 360 environmental group of the year” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”torch Award image” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Torch Award” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Better Business Bureau selected the Western Environmental Law Center to receive a 2020 Torch Award for Ethics, reflecting our deep commitment to our donors’ and supporters’ rights, our strong measures to protect their privacy and online safety, and the ethics with which we operate on a day-to-day basis. We are thrilled to receive the award, and will work every day to live up to it.Our Mission<\/h3>\n
About Us<\/h3>\n
\n
Board<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(121,141,142,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Staff” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nStaff<\/a><\/h3>\n
WELC: 2025 Oregon Business Magazine<\/em> #3 best small nonprofit to work for in Oregon!<\/a><\/h3>\n
WELC: A 2025 NonProfit Times<\/em> best nonprofit to work for!<\/a><\/h3>\n
WELC: An Outside Magazine<\/em> Best Place to Work <\/a>for the sixth year running in 2024!<\/h3>\n
WELC: 2020 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics Award Winner<\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Law360 award” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nWELC: Law360 Environmental Group of the Year<\/h3>\n