Colorado River v. State of Colorado

CELDF is a legal advisor in this first-in-the-nation federal lawsuit - the Colorado River seeks recognition of its rights.

Rolling Stone Magazine

Check out CELDF & Grant Twp, PA, in "How a small town is standing up to fracking," by Justin Nobel of Rolling Stone Magazine. Help us support communities like Grant!

Rights of Nature

CELDF is pioneering the advancement of rights of ecosystems, working globally to develop rights-based legal frameworks to protect the environment.

We help communities and groups like yours.

We are not a typical environmental organization. We assist communities to develop first-in-the-nation, groundbreaking laws to protect rights – including worker, environmental, and democratic rights, and rights of nature. CELDF provides free and low cost legal services, grassroots organizing, and education, to communities, states, and countries facing injustice. We help them to assert their rights to fight the harms they face. Learn more about how we work, or call us now at: 717-498-0054.

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Featured Articles

Blog: Taking a Knee on the First Amendment

October 10, 2017

If we take a knee to protest racism in our capacity as employees, our rights under the first amendment are not protected.

Press Release: Colorado River v. State of Colorado: In a First-in-the-Nation Federal Lawsuit, River Seeks Recognition of its Legal Rights to Exist, Restoration

September 21, 2017

For the first time in the U.S., a river and its ecosystem file a federal lawsuit for recognition of rights to exist, flourish, and restoration. CELDF is serving as a legal advisor in the case.

PR: First Right to Climate Law Passes in Colorado

April 5, 2017

Lafayette, CO, is the first community in the state to adopt a right to climate ordinance, recognizing the right of residents to a healthy climate.

CELDF Celebrates 20 Years!

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund turns 20 years old! What began as a mission to help communities fight permits has evolved into a Community Rights Movement for people and nature.

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Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Funds CELDF's Work to Advance Rights to Local, Democratic Self-Governance and Rights of Nature

CELDF receives support from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

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Is it Really ILLEGAL to Think Outside the Box?

What is it that keeps us from getting what we want in our communities? Why can’t we say, “No!” to harmful activities? The short answer is: THE LAW. A handful of legal doctrines make it illegal for communities to govern on important issues like fracking, factory farms, large-scale energy infrastructure projects and commercial water extraction.

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A Problem: Corporations have been granted rights allowing them to wreak havoc in communities for over 200 years.
We can stop this. Here's how...

Immerse yourself in the fundamentals of our current legal system.

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Discover the keys to affect lasting change.

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  • Grant Township, PA: A Stand to Protect Their Water & Their Community

    For more than 3 years, Grant Township, PA, residents have been fighting PGE’s proposed frack wastewater injection well. Now their own Department of Environmental Protection has turned on them as well. Grant residents are unwavering in their commitment to protect their community.

    CELDF is standing with them.

    Show Your Support

  • Ohio Counties Fighting for Their Rights and Their Future

    Ohio residents in Medina, Portage, and Athens Counties are fighting to protect themselves from fracking wastewater injection wells, pipelines, compressor stations, and more. In response, the corporate state is placing people’s environmental and democratic rights in their cross-hairs.

    These communities aren’t blinking.

    Show Your Support