EARTH LAW CENTER’S IMPACT & ICONIC WINS
Since its founding 2008, ELC has played a crucial role in expanding the movement for the Rights of Nature and ecocentric law.
Featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and numerous other national and international media outlets.
Supported Goldman Prize-winner Maríluz Canaquiri and the Kukama Women’s Federation in their successful lawsuit establishing rights and Indigenous co-guardianship for Peru’s Marañón River.
Helped five cities and three counties in Washington State, along with one city each in Oregon and California, pass proclamations supporting the rights of Southern Resident Orcas.
Helped write Panama’s Law 287, a national Rights of Nature law that went on to win a World Future Policy Award in 2025.
Trained 100+ Indigenous women river defenders about their rights under the Escazú Agreement, empowering environmental defenders (with Defensa Ambiental and other partners).
Helped secure the first corporate Board Seat for Nature within a company, Faith in Nature (with Lawyers for Nature and other partners).
Host an annual online live Earth Law Course, collectively educating 1000+ students from some 50 countries. We also onboard dozens of law school interns, fellows, and volunteers each year.
Received official observer status at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and launched a campaign to secure a seat for deep-sea ecosystems themselves at the ISA.
Served as legal support to the first campaign in the world to win legal rights for a species of insects (Amazonian Stingless Bees).
Won permanent protection for 69 acres of critical legacy forest within the iconic Elwha River Watershed.
Released the first-ever law school coursebook on Earth law, Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law—A Guide for Practitioners (Aspen Series), now taught in law schools in 5 countries.
Header Photo: Unsplash / Adam Willoughby-Knox