Our Mission
Our mission is to build sustainable communities by assisting people to assert their right to local self-government and the rights of nature.
News from the Grassroots

Press Releases
Columbus, Ohio Residents Strike Back Against “Liquidation of the Right to Local Self-Determination”
Columbus Residents Strike Back Against “Liquidation of the Right to Local Self-Determination.”
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Press Releases
“Can You Handle the Truth?” New Book Features Voices of Dissent and Radical Solutions
The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) is proud to announce the publication of “Can You Handle the Truth? Essays of Hard Truths Aimed at…
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News
CELDF now on Substack: Truth, Reckoning, and Right Relationship
Announcing Truth and Reckoning on Substack, a project of the CELDF. We will be featuring long-form articles, audio, and video podcasts on resistance + resilience…
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Publications
LAST CHANCE AT PRE-ORDER PRICING for CELDF’s Newest Publication – Can You Handle the Truth? E-book and Paperback
Can You Handle the Truth? – Essays of Hard Truths Aimed at Right Relationship with Earth and Each Other
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Blogs
From Standing Rock to the Endangered Species Act: Why the Environmental Movement Can’t Afford More “Victories” That Will Utterly Undo Us
The Endangered Species Act is almost 52 years old now and it is largely ineffectual at actually protecting endangered species. According to a 2016 study published…
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Rights of Nature
Counter Punch: CELDF and the Rights of Nature
There is a critical need for a movement to recognize nature as a legal entity with rights. Just as human rights are enshrined in law…
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Video format more your style?
Our Videos are a great introduction to big ideas and concepts tackled by the Community Rights Movement!
Check out our Fast Facts, Webinars, Community recaps and more to further your knowledge on the topics!
Empowering Communities, Defending Land Rights Against Corporations
Reimagining Earth Day: A Vision for a Sustainable Future
Unveiling Truth The Role of Rogue Journalists
[The Community Rights and Rights of Nature movement] is the beginning of a social movement that is greater than just the oil and gas industry, it is a potential game changer for all of corporate America.
Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico