Rights of Nature Toolkit

Local communities lead the way to Rights of Nature wins. Cities and towns across the United States and around the world have adopted laws and policies that recognize the human right to a healthy environment and Nature’s own right to be healthy.

Earth Law Center (ELC) and partners have released a Community Toolkit for Rights of Nature you can use to learn how your own local government can harmonize its environmental programs with the needs of Nature. (Updated edition forthcoming by the end of 2026.)

You can also visit the Earth Law Portal in order to see legal templates for your local community that can advance the Rights of Nature!

Example community: Crestone, Colorado

On July 16, 2018 the Town of Crestone’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the Rights of Nature. In conceiving and drafting the resolution, Crestone consulted numerous experts, including ELC, longtime Crestone visitor and Earth jurisprudence advocate Myra L. Jackson, and Marsha Moutrie, Esq. Additionally, the local newspaper fostered important community dialogue on the initiative.

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