ELC in the News
2026
The Wildlife Society: “Amazonian Municipalities Grant the Right to Bee” January 2026
Nation of Change: “Local ordinances grant legal rights to native stingless bees in Peruvian Amazon” January 2026
ABC Sociedad: “Stingless bees from the Amazon become the first insects in the world to have rights.” January 2026
2025
Discover Magazine: “How Stingless Bees in the Amazon Became the First Insects with Legal Rights.” December 2025
People: “Rare Stingless Bees in the Amazon Become Some of the First Insects to Receive Legal Rights.” December 2025
The Guardian: “Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first.” December 2025
Yale Climate Connections: “Does nature have rights?” November 2025
The Durango Herald: “Fort Lewis College students propose water justice for Animas River.” November 2025
Peoples Gazette: “Environmentalists urge FG to designate Katampe hill, waterfall as a national park.” October 2025
Inside Climate News: “Tonga Poised to be the First Country to Recognize Rights of Whales” June 2025
The Washington Post: “A logging protest in the treetops ends in terror, activists say” June 2025
The Seattle Times: “Activist climbs tree near Port Angeles to block cut of older WA forest.” May 2025
Raincoast Conservation Foundation: “Raincoast presents at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference.” May 2025
International Rivers: “A River’s Voice, A Woman’s Courage: Honoring Mariluz and the Marañón” April 2025
International Rivers: “River Defender Mariluz Canaquiri Murayari Wins Goldman Environmental Prize” April 2025
The Aspen Times: “Nature advocacy law center to protect rivers via art, legal innovation with Valentine’s Day series” February 2025
Sopris Sun: "Natures Voice: Law & Spiritual Ecological" February 2025
The Aspen Times: "Nature advocacy center looks to protect rivers through art, legal innovation with Valentine's Day series" February 2025
Boston College Law School: "Voice for the Earth" February 2025
Sustainable News: "Editor's note: Gangrenous growth" January 2025
Peninsula Daily News: "Tree Sale is Approved for Auction" December 2024
Durango Herald: "Natures Legal Advocate Headquarters in Durango" November 2024
Peninsula Daily News: "Groups Advocate for Timer Cancellation" November 2024
EIN Presswire: "University Lab Reveals Methods for Plants and Animals to Participate in US Elections" November 2024
Boston College Law School: "Voice for the Earth" February 2025
2024
Peninsula Daily News: “Groups Advocate for Timber Cancellation.” October 2024
The Durango Herald: “Nature’s legal advocate headquarters in Durango.” October 2024
Press Reader: “Advocates push ‘rights of nature’ laws.” October 2024
Eco-Business: “Legal rights for nature boost biodiversity conservation.” October 2024
EINPresswire: “Patent Filed on Democracy Ahead of 2024 Election as Defense Against Political Shenanigans.” October 2024
Oregon Public Broadcasting: “Washington Commissioner of Public Lands race centers on how to manage forests in the face of climate change.” October 2024
KSUT: “KSUT Conservation: Elizabeth Smart on surviving abuse.” October 2024
Kawsachun News: “Countries Pushed to Enhance Biodiversity by Protecting Nature’s Rights.” October 2024
Common Dreams: “Nations Urged to Bolster Biodiversity Plans by Enshrining Rights of Nature.” October 2024
The Monitor: “Not just a train, and certainly not Mayan.” October 2024
Kashmir Reader: “World Rivers Day 2024: Rivers Beyond the Natural Resource of Water: A Matter of Deep Introspection.” September 2024
International Rivers: “PRESS RELEASE: Breaking News: The Bíobío River becomes the first ecosystem in Chile to have a Declaration of Rights.” September 2024
Common Dreams: “Landmark Declaration of Rights Safeguards Bíobío River in Chile.” September 2024
City Buzz: “Ancient Tale ‘The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity’ to Make Stage Debut at Climate Week NYC.” August 2024
24-7 Press Release: "The Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity" to Premiere at Earth Law Center's Climate Week on Sept. 23rd, Highlighting the Global Movement to Give Animals Legal Representation.” August 2024
Natural Products News: “Faith In Nature launches the world’s first product line co-created by nature.” July 2024
KSUT: “KSUT Conversation: The Good Medicine Confluence returns to Durango with workshops and celebrations.” July 2024
Yahoo News: “Constitutional amendment draft could make history by granting rights to nature: 'Protection at the system level is necessary’.” June 2024
Rocky Mountain Community Radio: “RMCR Regional Roundup: Episode 54.” June 2024
Common Dreams: “Treaty Negotiations Should See Plastics for What They Are: an Ocean Justice Crisis.” May 2024
The Cool Down: “Family empowers community to join mission in protecting critical insect species: ‘We are all involved’.” May 2024
People’s World: “Washington State tree lovers celebrate forest preservation victories.” May 2024
Yahoo News: “Court stuns the world with historic ruling n the rights of river: ‘A transcendental milestone’.” May 2024
ResponseSource: “Business school collaborates on new platform to support sustainable entrepreneurship.” April 2024
The Cool Down: “State lawmakers seek to block movement that would give nature ‘legal personhood’: ‘We should be promoting innovation to give nature a voice’.” April 2024
NBC Bay Area: “San Francisco attorney fights to gain legal rights for forests.” April 2024
Common Dreams: “After Years of Indigenous-Led Campaigning, Court Grants Peru’s Marañón River.” March 2024
International Rivers: “Landmark ruling: The Peruvian Court of Nauta recognizes the rights of the Marañón River and the Indigenous communities as its guardians.” March 2024
GARN: “Historic ruling: The Peruvian Court recognizes the rights of the Marañon River.” March 2024
Daily Kos: “What Are The Rights of Nature?” March 2024
Inside Climate News: “Aruba Embraces the Rights of Nature and a Human Right to a Clean Environment.” March 2024
Peninsula Daily News: “Cancellation of Power Plant sale celebrated.” March 2024
KSUT: “Grant Wilson of the Earth Law center on making nature the core of our legal system.” March 2024
Daily Tidings: “Bill to Prohibit Captivity And Captive Breeding of Orcas And Other Whales Introduced.” February 2024
NOEMA: “A Clock In The Forest.” February 2024
Cannon Beach Gazette: “Wyden introduces legislation to end capture, breeding of whales.” February 2024
Lexology: “Appointing Nature to the Board - can it be done?” February 2024
Inside Climate News: “Ireland Could Become the Next Nation to Recognize the Rights of Nature and a Human Right to a Clean Environment.” January 2024
People’s World: “Win for environment: Timber sale on Elwha River canceled.” January 2024
Adam Schiff: “Schiff, Wyndham, Huffman, and DelBene Introduce Legislation to End Future Capture And Breeding of Whales for Public Display.” January 2024
The New York Times: “In Peru, a Mission To Save the Stingless Bee.” January 2024
2023
New Times San Luis Obispo: “Responding to unravelling.” December 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “State set aside 2,000 acres of forestland.” December 2023
Radio Pacific, Inc.: “Friday Hearing Will Attempt to Stop Timber Harvest Along Elwha River.” November 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “Judge denies motion to stop Power Plant harvest.” November 2023
Sequim Gazette: “Judge denies motion to stop PA timber harvest.” November 2023
Common Dreams: “‘Huge Win for the Planet’ as Panama Court Shuts Down Massive Mine.” November 2023
Aporrea: “Ecomunitarismo y Pachamama.” October 2023
Usbek & Rica: “La nature est le premier fournisseur du monde économique.” October 2023
Masina: “Komitet Bernske konvencije će razmatrati „rudarsku groznicu“ u Srbiji.” October 2023.
Sustainable Brands: “Integrating the value of nature into business is crucial; but it must been seen as an opportunity, not just a risk.” October 2023
Yale Climate Connections: “College campuses launch new ‘climate studies’ majors.” October 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “LETTER: DNR Powerplant Sale.” October 2023
IUCN: “IUCN WCEL joined the “Expert Consultation on Rights of Nature” in Nairobi.” October 2023
People’s World: “In Washington State, activists right to save Elwha River watershed from clear-cut logging.” September 2023
Nautica News: “The Ocean Race call for rights of the ocean.” September 2023
BVM Sports: “The Ocean Race, Cabo Verde Government, and Earth Law Center Push for Recognition of Ocean Rights.” September 2023
Sail World: “The Ocean Race and global partners call for recognition of inherent rights of the ocean.” September 2023
UN Web TV: “The Ocean Race Summit.” September 2023
KNKX: “Controversial timber sale near Elwha River moving forward.” September 2023
IUCN: “The Ocean Race Summit: Presenting Ocean Rights.” September 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “Contested timber sale advancing.” September 2023
News-24: “La loi sur les droit de la nature au Panama vise à protéger les tortues luths.” August 2023
Fernandina Observer: “Tokitae: A Captive Orca Who Never Forgot Her Mother’s Song.” September 2023
News-24
South Seattle Emerald: “Tokitae the Orca Dies; Washington and Canadian Wildfires Continue to Rage.” August 2023
Washington Post: “Countries are starting to give wild animals legal rights. Here’s why.” August 2023
Seattle Times: “Controversial WA timber sale near Elwha River rankles conversationalists, Port Angeles leaders.” July 2023
The Revelator: “Protect This Place: World-Renowned Elwha River Threatened by State Logging.” July 2023
The Orcasonian: “Arcata, CA proclaims support in recognizing rights of Southern Resident Orca.” July 2023
Durango Herald: “Rotary Club of Durango meet July 18.” July 2023
The Spokesman-Review: “Off the Grid: Navigating the complex waters of river rights.” June 2023
Oregon Coast Beach Connection: “Depoe Bay Signs Declaration to Help Southern Resident Orcas along West Coast, Oregon.” June 2023
The Ocean Race: “Denmark’s Finance Minister urges the international community to fight for the ocean.” June 2023
The Inertia: “A new ‘Rights of Nature’ Law in Panama Gives Rights to Sea Turtles.” May 2023
The Ocean Race: “The Ocean Race Summit Newport urges recognition of the inherent rights of the ocean.” May 2023
Inside Climate News: “Aruba Considers Enshrining the ‘Rights of Nature’ in Its Constitution.” May 2023
Energia A Debate: “Reconocen atrasos en la Agenda 2030.” April 2023
La Jornada: “Correo Ilustrado.” April 2023
Little Black Book: “Advertising is Making Our Climate Emergency Worse: How Can We Serve the Future?” April 2023
The Ocean Race: “Indigenous voices lead calls for the ocean’s rights to be recognised.” April 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “DNR investigates gate vandalism on day of Caldwell timber protest.” March 2023
The Orcasonian: “Pierce County joins in proclaiming support for legal recognition of rights of Southern Resident Orcas.” March 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “Organizers: Rally to urge protection of old-growth forest.” March 2023
Seattle Times: “‘Rights of Nature’ movement gains steam in Pacific Northwest. Can it help species on the brink?” February 2023
Inside Climate News: “Nearly 200 Countries Approve a Biodiversity Accord Enshrining Human Rights and the ‘Rights of Nature’.” January 2023
Peninsula Daily News: “In one month, three cities proclaim rights for Southern Resident Orcas.” January 2023
2022
CBC: “U.S. cities declare inherent rights for endangered orcas that swim in the Salish Sea.” December 2022
Down to Earth: “Two United States cities declare support for orcas’ legal rights.” December 2022
The Seattle Times: “Port Townsend recognizes rights of endangered southern resident orcas.” December 2022
KNKX Public Radio: “Port Townsend recognizes legal rights of southern resident orcas”. December 2022
King 5: “Should orcas have rights? Port Townsend says yes.” December 2022
Inside Climate News: “Two Towns in Washington Takes Steps Toward Recognizing the Rights of Southern Resident Orcas.” December 2022
Good Men Project: “Should the Ocean Have Legal Rights?” November 2022
Inside Climate News: “Celebrating Victories in Europe and South America, the Rights of Nature Movement Plots Strategy in a Time of ‘Crises’.” October 2022
Mongabay: “Proposal to grant the ocean rights calls for a sea change in legal framework.” October 2022
The Revelatory: “Should the Ocean Have Legal Rights?” October 2022
Noema Magazine: “Giving Trees a Vote.” September 2022
Trend Watching: “Innovation of the Day: Concepts, campaigns, and companies worth tracking. Selected by our experts, delivered daily.” September 2022
Nautica News: “The Ocean Race for ocean rights.” September 2022
The Ocean Race: “Growing number of countries get on board The Ocean Race’s journey for ocean rights.” September 2022
The Guardian: “Eco Beauty company ‘appoints nature’ to its board of directors.” September 2022
Orlando Sentinel: “Giving nature rights might save us from ourselves".” August 2022
Warp News: “Nature gets rights in Panama.” August 2022
LA Progressive: “Balancing Constitutional Limitations with the Rights of Nature.” July 2022
The Conversation: “Giving rivers rights aims to protect the ‘voiceless’ - but there’s a catch.” July 2022
Observer: “Water scientist discusses importance of conservation.” July 2022
Live Sail Die: “UN Ocean Conference: The Ocean Race calls for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights.” July 2022
Balkan Green Energy News: “Bern Convention’s Bureau closely monitors possible relaunch of Jadar project in Serbia.” June 2022
Hospitality Net: “The Role of the Hospitality Industry in Achieving 30x30.” April 2022
Fair Planet: “Panama and Chile Recognize Nature's Rights.” March 2022
Down to Earth: “Chile poised to grant rights to Nature; could become 2nd such country besides Ecuador.” March 2022
2020
KBOO Podcast: “Freeing Lolita & Sharks: The Latest Victims of COVID-19.” October 2020.
The Garden Island: “Giving Nature a Voice on Kaua’i.” October 2020.
Sierra: “In Case You Missed It; a weekly roundup.” October 2020.
Sail-world: “The Ocean Race Summits Newport Brings Leaders Together to Focus on Ocean Health.” September 2020.
The Guardian: “Native Americans Honor Lolita the Orca 50 Years after Capture: 'She was Taken' September 2020.
YubaNet: “Environmental Groups Ask Ecuador’s Highest Court to Protect Los Cedros, Enforce Constitutional ‘Rights of Nature.’ September 2020.
Public Herald: “Proposed DNC Platform Takes Bold Step Towards the Rights of Nature.” August 2020.
2019
Stateline: “Cities, Tribes Try a New Environmental Approach; Give Nature Rights.” Pew Charitable Trust. October 30, 2019.
Common Dreams: “Could Rights of Nature Laws Help Save Endangered Orcas?” by Yes!Magazine August 31, 2019.
Sealives.org: Ships, Sharks, and the Rights of Nature- Part 1 and 2. August 29, 2019.
City News: “Should Orcas have the same rights as people?” The Big Story, August 12, 2019.
The Walrus: “Whales are People too; Could granting legal personhood save an endangered species? July 29, 2019.
Seeing the Woods: “On Environmental Grief and the Rights of Nature.” A blog by the Rachel Carson Center. May 3, 2019.
Idaho Statesman: “Earth Day reminds us of our duty to nature, including protecting its wild creatures”, Discussion of nonhuman animal rights on Earth Day, April 26, 2019.
The Conversation: “Why the southern resident killer whales should have the same rights as people”, Rise of Rights of Nature as seen through the fight for Southern Resident Orca rights, April 25, 2019.
Voices for Biodiversity: “Fighting for the Rights of Southern Resident Orcas.” April 3, 2019.
Idaho Statesman: “Humans have practically doomed the orca. We must save them via new legal protections.” March 28, 2019.
The News Tribune: “Legal personhood for Northwest orcas? Only radical thinking may save them.” March 23, 2019.
Mongabay: “Tear down the dams: New coalition strives to enshrine rights of orcas”, New coalition including ELC fights to preserve Southern Resident Killer Whales, March 19, 2019.
Longmont Times Call: “Boulder Rights of Nature looks to ignite a new environmental rights movement“, Boulder Rights of Nature, a citizen group, hosts first symposium on rights of nature, February 1, 2019.
EcologicalCitizen.net: “Rights of rivers enters the mainstream”, Grant Wilson and Darlene Lee introduce Earth Law as the next great rights-based movement, January 4, 2019.
2018
World Ocean Forum (Medium): “An Introduction to Ocean Rights: Solutions-based approaches to management and protection”, Michelle Bender introduces oceans rights and a new way to approach ocean conservation, October 22, 2018.
EarthX: Michelle Bender, Ocean Rights Manager at ELC, talks on EDTx about ocean rights. June 5, 2018
ECO Magazine: "Puget Sound Initiative: Securing Rights for Southern Resident Killer Whales", Earth Law Center's initiative to gain legal rights for the entire Puget Sound, May 8, 2018.
South by Southwest (SXSW) panel (audio): "Answer with Action: A New Activism Platform", Darlene Lee and other speakers discuss sustainability and taking action at the community level.
NBC Miami: "'Nature as an Asset': Coral Reef Insurance May Be a Sea Change for Conservation", Asher Klein writes on insurance for coral reefs and Michelle Bender voices her opinion on the initiative, April 18, 2018.
UK Environmental Law Association (newsletter): "Earth Law", featured article (p. 19) by Samantha Orenstein discusses Earth Law, its current status and potential prominence.
Rights for Nature Sweden (recorded webinar): Michelle Bender - Advancing Holistic and Ocean Rights-Based Governance, March 29 7:00 pm CET, 2018. Learn more about ELC’s Ocean Rights initiatives and strategies.
TreeHugger.com: River Ethiope could be first waterway in Africa recognized as a living entity, March 12, 2018.
2017
MPA News: If MPAs had a legal right to be managed well, would that end the problem of paper parks? December 13, 2017.
Law and Nature Journal: http://nomosphysis.org.gr/17240/dikaiomata-tis-fysis-mia-nea-enallaktiki-gia-tin-e-e/, November 2017
International Union for Conservation of Nature: Call for UN to Recognize and Protect the Ocean’s Rights, October 11, 2017.
Mother Earth News: What is Earth Law and Why Does it Matter? September 4, 2017.
The Ecologist: We Need Rights of Nature Legislation Now to Protect our Home Planet, July 7, 2017.
Law and Nature Journal: http://nomosphysis.org.gr/17240/dikaiomata-tis-fysis-mia-nea-enallaktiki-gia-tin-e-e/, November 2017