We Envision a Future in Which Humans and Nature Flourish Together
Earth Law is the idea that ecosystems have the right to exist, thrive, and evolve—and that Nature should be able to defend its rights in court, just like people can.
Despite decades of environmental legislation, Earth’s health continues to decline. Because our current laws protect Nature only for the benefit of people and corporations, profit usually takes priority over Nature. Even when environmental issues are brought to court, people must prove that the environmental damage violates their own rights since the environment has no rights of its own.
Protect Elwha Legacy Forests
On June 30, 2023, the Earth Law Center, the Center for Whale Research, and the Keystone Species Alliance filed a legal action challenging the “Power Plant” timber sale. This critical, 126 acre stretch of forest in the Elwha River watershed is in urgent need of protection. If this timber sale takes place, it will threaten the river’s restoration, vulnerable orca and salmon populations, and drinking water access.
Our Elwha Protection Legal Team
ELC Director of Legal Advocacy Elizabeth Dunne at the site of the “Power Plant” timber sale. (Credit: © Photos by forest2sea.com).
Elizabeth Dunne, the Earth Law Center’s Director of Legal Advocacy since 2019, has 20 years of experience in the Rights of Nature Movement. Drawing on her experience as lead counsel in public interest class action lawsuits and as a law clerk to US federal District Court judges, Elizabeth is a leading practitioner in the development of litigation strategies that advance Earth Law. She is a highly skilled and determined advocate for the conservation of legacy forests throughout the Pacific Northwest and nationally. She has worked on a number of forest protection cases as counsel of record, and authored amicus curiae in the groundbreaking Conservation NW, et al. vs Commissioner of Public Lands case. Currently, she is providing technical expertise to attorney Steven Turner in the Power Plant case.
Our Work
Rights of Nature in the Convention on Biological Diversity
Our advocacy continues; see our updated recommendation for Rights of Mother Earth (PDF) in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. See also our 2021 recommendation (PDF), with over 200 organizational and individuals signed on in support, and our supplementary report (PDF).
A collaborative declaration from the IUCN Global Youth Summit
The Declaration formed the basis for ELC and GARN requests to the IUCN (PDF) for implementing commitments under Resolution 100.