activities · 39
what they do
advocacy · 34
- Advocacy Against Destructive Land Use Practices Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionEngages in advocacy to stop destructive land use practices, including shutting down major timber operations, securing orders to remove cattle from vulnerable desert streams, and preventing uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.
- Advocacy Against FrackingWorks to oppose fracking in various regions, including California and offshore areas, to protect watersheds and wildlife from contamination and habitat disruption, and has helped ban fracking in multiple California communities.
- Advocacy Against Legislative Weakening of Environmental Protections Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionDefeats legislative efforts to weaken environmental protections, such as the Endangered Species Act, by providing scientific and statistical analysis to policymakers.
- Advocacy Against Plastic Pollution Plastic Production Reduction CampaignsLaunches national campaigns to regulate and limit plastic production, successfully blocking the construction of large plastic-making plants.
- Advocacy Against Toxic Substances and Pollution Environmental Litigation & Regulatory AdvocacyWorks to defend biodiversity and human health from toxic substances by advocating for stricter regulations on pesticides, mercury in seafood, and air pollution from coal mines, and by challenging lead contamination.
- Advocacy Against Toxic Substances and Pollution Environmental Litigation & Regulatory AdvocacyEngages in advocacy to protect biodiversity and human health from toxic substances, including a Pesticides Reduction Campaign, efforts to limit mercury in seafood, and legal challenges against coal production plants.
- Advocacy Against Toxic Substances and Pollution Environmental Litigation & Regulatory AdvocacyWorks to defend biodiversity and human health from toxic substances and pollution, including campaigns to reduce pesticide use, limit mercury in seafood, establish national limits on air pollution from coal mines, and prevent mercury contamination from mining.
- Advocacy for Climate Change MitigationWorks to safeguard species and habitats from climate change through efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, including securing the first Endangered Species Act listing for species threatened by global warming and compelling the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
- Advocacy for Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Justice Renewable Energy Policy AdvocacyEngages in advocacy and litigation to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and advocating for energy justice, including compelling government agencies to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant and challenging anti-solar utility practices.
- Advocacy for Endangered Species Act Protections Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionAdvocates for and secures Endangered Species Act protection for species and their critical habitats, including over 760 species and more than 700 million acres of critical habitat, leveraging a legal success rate of 83 percent.
- Advocacy for Endangered Species Act Protections Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesAdvocates for and secures Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection for species and their critical habitats, including over 760 species and more than 700 million acres of critical habitat. This includes marine species, carnivores, and species threatened by climate change.
- Advocacy for Endangered Species Act Protections Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionAdvocates for and secures Endangered Species Act protection for species and their critical habitats, including over 760 species and more than 700 million acres of habitat, leveraging a legal success rate of 83 percent.
- Advocacy for Energy Justice and Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Policy AdvocacyConducts legal and grassroots campaigns to advance a rapid transition toward energy justice, including advocating for 100% renewable energy by 2030, opposing utility rate hikes, and challenging anti-competitive practices by utility companies.
- Advocacy for Energy Justice and Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Policy AdvocacyConducts legal and grassroots campaigns to advance energy justice and a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy, including challenging utility monopolies, opposing anti-environment trade groups, and advocating for policies that support public ownership and prevent utility shutoffs.
- Advocacy for International Species Protection Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesProtects global biodiversity by applying U.S. law where applicable and monitoring U.S. actions that impact endangered species abroad, including securing a seafood import ban to protect vaquita porpoises and seeking protection for various international species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
- Advocacy for Marine Species Protection Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionSecures legal protections for endangered marine species and their habitats from destructive fishing gear and practices, including sea otters, leatherback sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, humpback whales, and North Atlantic right whales.
- Advocacy for Marine Species and Ocean HabitatsConducts species protection efforts in marine environments, including securing legal protections for endangered marine species from destructive fishing gear and challenging offshore oil drilling expansion.
- Advocacy for Predator Species Protection Mexican Wolf Recovery & AdvocacyUses science-based advocacy to defend predator species from exploitation and extinction, including efforts to reintroduce Mexican gray wolves and protect grizzly bears.
- Advocacy for Predator Species Protection Mexican Wolf Recovery & AdvocacyDefends predator species, such as wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and Humboldt martens, from exploitation and extinction through science-based advocacy, legal challenges, and efforts to maintain or restore protections and critical habitat designations.
- Climate Change Advocacy and LitigationEngages in advocacy and litigation to combat climate change, including securing Endangered Species Act listings for climate-threatened species, compelling government agencies to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and challenging policies that undermine climate action.
- Climate change litigation and policy advocacy Renewable Energy Policy AdvocacyAdvances climate action through strategic litigation and policy advocacy, including compelling federal agencies to regulate greenhouse gases, blocking fossil fuel projects, and securing court mandates for climate impact analyses in federal decision-making.
- Energy justice and renewable energy transition Renewable Energy Policy AdvocacyAdvocates for a just transition to 100% renewable energy by challenging utility monopolies, opposing fossil fuel infrastructure, promoting community solar, and drafting policy initiatives to end utility shutoffs and public utility debt.
- International Species and Habitat Protection Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesProtects global biodiversity by applying U.S. law to international issues, monitoring U.S. actions abroad, and securing international trade protections for threatened species. This includes efforts in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, North and South Poles, and specific actions related to vaquita porpoises and African wildlife.
- International Wildlife and Habitat Protection Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesProtects global biodiversity by applying U.S. law to international issues, monitoring U.S. actions abroad, and securing international trade protections for threatened species, including efforts in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, North and South Poles, and specific campaigns for vaquita porpoises, leopards, giraffes, and pangolins.
- Land use and habitat defense on public lands Legal & Advocacy Opposition to Industrial ProjectsDefends public lands from industrial threats including logging, uranium mining, and border wall construction through litigation and grassroots campaigns, particularly in the Southwest and Arctic regions.
- Legal and Grassroots Campaigns Against Destructive IndustriesConducts legal and grassroots campaigns to oppose and halt environmentally destructive industrial activities such as large-scale logging, offshore drilling, fracking, uranium mining, and the construction of plastic-making plants, particularly in sensitive ecosystems and public lands.
- Legal and Grassroots Campaigns Against Destructive IndustriesConducts legal and grassroots campaigns to oppose and halt environmentally destructive industrial activities such as large-scale logging, cattle grazing in sensitive areas, offshore oil drilling, uranium mining, fracking, and the construction of large plastic manufacturing plants.
- Marine species and ocean habitat protection Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesProtects marine biodiversity through legal actions to safeguard species from destructive fishing practices, offshore drilling, and climate change, securing protections for species such as sea otters, right whales, and vaquita porpoises, and blocking oil drilling in sensitive Arctic and Gulf waters.
- Pesticides and toxic substances regulation Environmental Litigation & Regulatory AdvocacyRuns campaigns to reduce pesticide use and regulate toxic substances by petitioning federal agencies, challenging harmful practices in court, and advocating for limits on pollutants such as mercury and lead that threaten wildlife and human health.
- Plastic production regulation and pollution prevention Plastic Production Reduction CampaignsLeads a national campaign to limit plastic production, including blocking major plastic manufacturing projects and advocating for policies to reduce plastic pollution's impact on wildlife and communities.
- Predator Species Conservation Mexican Wolf Recovery & AdvocacyDefends predator species from exploitation and extinction through science-based advocacy, including reintroduction efforts for Mexican gray wolves, protection of Yellowstone grizzly bears, and legal challenges against inhumane killing methods and wildlife-killing contests.
- Protection of Marine Species from Destructive Fishing Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesSecures legal safeguards and protections for endangered marine species, including sea otters, sea turtles, seals, and whales, from entanglement in destructive fishing gear and from harmful fishing practices such as gillnets, trawling, longline hooks, and crab/lobster pots.
- Securing Endangered Species Act protections and critical habitat designations Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionSecures legal protections for endangered species and designates critical habitats through litigation, petitions, and negotiations, resulting in protections for over 760 species and hundreds of millions of acres of terrestrial and marine habitat, including polar bears, sea turtles, and marine mammals.
- Wildlife trafficking and international species protection Legal Protection for Endangered SpeciesSeeks international protections for threatened species through petitions, litigation, and trade bans, targeting wildlife trafficking and unsustainable imports of species such as pangolins, giraffes, and primates, and enforcing environmental agreements like USMCA.
research · 4
- Research and Policy Development Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesConducts research and publishes scientific articles, comprehensive reports, and policy materials on topics such as species recovery, effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act, zoonotic disease risks, and sustainable energy to inform advocacy efforts and accelerate a just energy transition.
- Research and Policy Development Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesPublishes scientific articles and comprehensive reports on species recovery, the effectiveness of environmental laws, zoonotic disease risks, and policy materials to accelerate a just energy transition, including a community solar toolkit.
- Research on Environmental Issues Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesPublishes scientific articles and comprehensive reports on species recovery, the effectiveness of environmental laws, zoonotic disease risks, and the impacts of energy policies, often in partnership with academic institutions.
- Scientific research and policy reporting on biodiversity and energy Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesConducts and publishes scientific research on species recovery, zoonotic disease risks, and energy policy, including reports on wildlife trafficking, pandemic impacts on utilities, and tools for community solar development.
capacity building · 1
- Internal organizational equity and inclusion initiatives Internal DEI Committee DevelopmentAdvances justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion within the organization through a dedicated committee established in 2015.
strategies · 24
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Addressing Systemic Threats to Biodiversity systemic_threat_mitigationThe organization tackles biodiversity threats by addressing their root causes, including unsustainable human population growth, climate change, and domestic stressors, through a comprehensive and integrated approach.
- Anti-poaching enforcement and support anti-poaching enforcement supportSupports the identification and prosecution of carnivore poachers through targeted outreach and funding, strengthening legal enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
- Climate Litigation and Policy Development climate_litigation_and_policyThe organization uses precedent-setting litigation under existing environmental laws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocates for the development of new legal frameworks to mitigate climate harms and advance a just transition to clean, renewable energy.
- Climate Litigation and Policy Development climate_litigation_and_policyThe organization utilizes existing environmental laws for precedent-setting litigation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocates for new legal frameworks to further reduce emissions and climate harms, while strengthening current environmental protections.
- Climate litigation and clean energy legal strategy climate_litigation_under_existing_lawUses litigation under existing environmental laws and develops new legal frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, challenge utility opposition to clean energy, and advance a just transition to 100% renewable energy.
- Ecological health and interconnectedness framework ecological health frameworkBases conservation efforts on the principle that human health is fundamentally linked to the health of all species, promoting environmental protection as essential to collective well-being.
- Energy Justice Advocacy energy_justice_advocacyThe organization combines strategic litigation, administrative petitions, regulatory interventions, community mobilization, and policy advocacy to combat utility corruption, promote distributed and community solar, and advance robust energy justice policies at various governmental levels.
- Energy Justice through Integrated Advocacy integrated_energy_justice_advocacyThe organization combines strategic litigation, administrative petitions, regulatory interventions, community mobilization, and policy advocacy to combat utility corruption, promote distributed and community solar, and advance robust energy justice policies at various governmental levels.
- Equitable organizational practices equitable employment practicesAdvances equity internally through fair recruitment, promotion, compensation, and inclusive workplace culture to reflect and support broader justice goals.
- Global Advocacy and Coalition Building for International Conservation global_coalition_buildingThe organization engages in global policy advocacy and builds coalitions with local conservation groups and Indigenous communities to influence international wildlife protection standards and advance cross-border species protection.
- Global and Cross-Border Conservation through Coalition Building global_coalition_buildingThe organization engages in advocacy at the global policy level and builds coalitions with local conservation groups and Indigenous communities to influence international wildlife protection standards and advance cross-border species protection.
- Global species conservation through policy and media global_policy_advocacyAdvances international species protection by engaging in global policy advocacy, influencing international standards, and using creative media campaigns to raise awareness and support for conservation.
- Grassroots and community-powered advocacy legal_and_grassroots_campaignsCombines legal strategies with grassroots organizing, digital advocacy, and coalition-building—especially with local groups and Indigenous communities—to mobilize public support and strengthen cross-border and local conservation efforts.
- Integrated science, law, and media advocacy model science-law-mediaCombines scientific research, legal action (including litigation and petitions), and creative media outreach to secure legally binding protections for species and habitats, drive policy change, and mobilize public support.
- Intersectional Justice and Community-Centered Approaches intersectional justiceThe organization integrates social, economic, and environmental justice principles, recognizing the interconnectedness of these areas for effective environmental protection. This includes promoting equitable employment practices, building coalitions with local and Indigenous communities, and mobilizing communities to advocate for environmental and energy justice.
- Intersectional environmental justice framework intersectional justiceAdvances environmental protection by integrating social, economic, and environmental justice, recognizing their interdependence, and applying this lens across campaigns, policy advocacy, and community engagement.
- Legal and petition-driven species protection strategy legal_and_petition_strategySystematically uses scientific data and legal expertise to file citizen petitions and lawsuits under domestic and international laws—especially the Endangered Species Act—to compel government action for species protection and habitat conservation.
- Multi-faceted Policy and Public Engagement multi-method advocacyThe organization combines policy advocacy, public education, media outreach, and grassroots organizing to build public support, influence government actions, and advocate for conservation policies and new legal frameworks that protect biodiversity and advance environmental health.
- Multi-pronged Advocacy for Species and Habitat Protection science-law-mediaThe organization employs a comprehensive approach combining science, legal action (petitions, litigation), policy advocacy, negotiation, and strategic media and outreach to protect species and their habitats. This includes securing federal protections, monitoring government actions, and engaging the public.
- Public Education and Mobilization through Digital and Creative Media public_education_mobilizationThe organization uses digital advocacy, media outreach, and creative media to educate the public about environmental issues, raise awareness, and mobilize support for conservation campaigns, including the ecological importance of predators.
- Strategic Legal and Scientific Advocacy science_and_legal_advocacyThe organization systematically uses scientific data, legal expertise, petitions, and litigation under environmental laws (such as the Endangered Species Act) to secure legally binding protections for imperiled species and their habitats, influence policy, and address systemic threats like climate change.
- Systemic Threat Mitigation systemic_threat_mitigationThe organization addresses biodiversity threats by targeting their root causes, including unsustainable human population growth, climate change, and domestic stressors, through a comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Systemic Threat Mitigation and Ecological Health Framework systemic threat mitigationThe organization addresses the root causes of biodiversity threats, such as unsustainable human population, climate change, and domestic stressors, by advancing an understanding of the interconnected health of humans and all other species as a foundational principle for environmental protection.
- Systemic threat mitigation for biodiversity systemic threat mitigationAddresses root causes of biodiversity loss—including climate change, unsustainable human population growth, and local stressors like off-road vehicle use—through comprehensive, multi-pronged interventions.
named programs · 18
what they call their work
Endocrine Disruptors Campaign
Works to control endocrine disruptors and reduce their impacts on the environment, wildlife, and humans.
Energy Justice
Legal and policy campaigns to transition to clean, renewable, wildlife-friendly, and equitable energy systems, with a focus on utility accountability and community solar
Energy Justice During Crises
Challenges the fossil fuel-powered, corporate utility status quo and advances clean and renewable energy solutions during crises.
Energy Justice North Carolina
A coalition working to end the Duke Energy monopoly and hasten a just and clean energy transition in North Carolina.
Energy Justice Program
Wages legal and grassroots campaigns to transition to clean, renewable, wildlife-friendly, and equitable energy, challenging utility corruption and advocating for anti-racist energy policies.
Environmental Health Program
Protects biodiversity and human health from toxic substances through strategic legal action, media, policy advocacy, research, and grassroots campaigning.
Fight Harmful Effects of Coal Energy
Addresses the toxic impacts of air pollution from coal-fired power plants, waste from coal mining, and mountaintop-removal coal mining.
Fossil-Free FEMA
Campaign to reform FEMA's rebuilding practices to avoid perpetuating fossil fuel dependence and instead support climate-resilient, clean energy infrastructure
Fossil-Free FEMA Campaign
Advocates for FEMA to rebuild communities after disasters without exacerbating climate and energy justice crises by relying on fossil fuels.
Fracking
Legal and grassroots campaigns to halt fracking in California and beyond, including offshore, to protect watersheds and wildlife from water contamination and methane pollution
Fracking Campaign
Works to fight hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") to protect watersheds and wildlife from water contamination and methane production.
Get the Lead Out
National campaign to replace lead-based hunting ammunition and fishing tackle with safer, nontoxic alternatives and clean up historic lead pollution
Get the Lead Out Campaign
Devoted to replacing lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle with safer, nontoxic alternatives and cleaning up historic lead pollution.
Grand Canyon Uranium Mining Campaign
Fights uranium mining on public lands and aims to limit uranium's toxic legacy, particularly in the Grand Canyon area.
Pesticides Reduction Campaign
Seeks programmatic changes in the pesticide registration process and prevents toxic pesticides from entering fish and wildlife habitats
TVA Can Lead the Way Campaign
Works to transform the Tennessee Valley Authority into a leader for energy democracy, renewable power, and climate justice.
Wild Energy Research Partnership
Collaborative research initiative with the University of California Davis to advance sustainable energy solutions for wildlife and wild places
Wildlife-Friendly Community Power Toolkit
Provides resources to help communities thrive and support animals and plants dependent on clean energy.
relationships · 14
who they work with
- 350.org Partner — Jointly petitioned the EPA to establish a national, science-based CO2 pollution cap of 350 ppm under the Clean Air Act.
- Californians Against Fracking Partner — Collaborated to ban fracking in multiple California communities and build momentum for a statewide ban.
- Endangered Species program Coalition — Internal program of the Center for Biological Diversity focused on species protection.
- Energy Justice North Carolina Coalition — Co-launched the Energy Justice North Carolina coalition to end Duke Energy's monopoly and advance a just clean energy transition through community mobilization.
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Government — Petitioned to stop utility companies from using ratepayer funds to finance anti-environment trade groups.
- Tohono O'odham Tribe Partner — Partnered to file an endangerment petition for El Pinacate and Gran Desierto Biosphere Reserve in Mexico.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Government — Co-petitioned by the Center and coalition to establish national air pollution limits from coal mines.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Government — Engaged in legal agreements and litigation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to secure carnivore protections and recovery plans.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Government — Reached a legal settlement with the Center requiring cleanup of lead contamination on Midway Atoll.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration Government — Subject of a petition by the Center to implement stricter regulations on mercury in seafood.
- U.S. Forest Service Government — Former employer of founders during owl surveys; target of early advocacy due to timber sale practices.
- U.S. Representatives Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush Partner — Collaborated to draft a congressional resolution to transition the national energy system to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and ban utility shutoffs.
- University of California Davis Partner — Co-launched the Wild Energy research partnership to advance a sustainable energy future for wildlife and wild places.
- Wildlife Services Government — Challenged Wildlife Services' practices through litigation and advocacy to stop inhumane killing of carnivores and other wildlife.