We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.
We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands | Protecting Wildlife | Safeguarding Climate
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.
We Defend the West
Defending Wildlands
Protecting Wildlife
Safeguarding Climate
We use the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate.
Get Updates
Subscribe to WELC publications in the mail here.
Receive monthly email updates on our work defending the West:

Support Our Work!
We fight in court to defend the western U.S. on behalf of our clients free of charge, but we can’t do it without your support!
EXPLORE WAYS TO GIVE
PODCAST: STORIES OF KINSHIP
We envision a thriving, resilient future for western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. The Stories of Kinship podcast shares key updates as we we work toward this vision, connecting our efforts across subject matter and state lines. Click here to learn more and subscribe!
PODCAST: STORIES OF KINSHIP
We envision a thriving, resilient future for western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. The Stories of Kinship podcast shares key updates as we we work toward this vision, connecting our efforts across subject matter and state lines. Click here to learn more and subscribe!
Defending Wildlands
The West is defined by its natural heritage of wildlands, rivers, forests, and wildlife. Since its inception, WELC has worked hard to preserve and restore these unique characteristics.
Protecting Wildlife
The West depends on its iconic wildlife. WELC protects native animals while preserving and restoring the healthy, functioning natural ecosystems they call home.
Safeguarding Climate
Our world is warming, with dire consequences to western communities, lands, rivers, and wildlife. But, as the saying goes, in every crisis lies opportunity.
House committee marks up SPEED Act that would renounce, not reform, environmental protections nationwide
Today, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources is set to vote on the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776). The Western Environmental Law Center urges members of the committee to vote no on this deceptively titled...
Agricultural groups challenge Montana DEQ for sidestepping public input on coal permit changes
Today Bull Mountain Land Alliance and Northern Plains Resource Council, represented by the Western Environmental Law Center, challenged the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) over the agency’s practice of approving coal mine permit changes behind closed...
5,000 oil and gas leases potentially invalid: Letter warns BLM reckless use of CRA has thrown legal foundation of public lands management into question
Six organizations sent a letter to the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), warning that at least 5,033 oil and gas leases — covering nearly 4 million acres — may now be legally invalid. The letter asks the agency to halt all new leasing and...


