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Our Mission
Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law organization dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment.
Earthjustice Fast Facts
Did you know? We've provided legal representation at no cost to more than 1000 clients, from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Wilderness Society to community-based coalitions. Here are some more facts about us:
- Founded in 1971 as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund
- Name changed to Earthjustice in 1997
- Headquartered in San Francisco, CA
- Number of employees: ~180
- President: Trip Van Noppen
Read about our regional offices
Your donation at work
Explore a special feature on our history
Our History
Earthjustice, founded in 1971 as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, first used the courts as a conservation tool when it saved the pristine Mineral King Valley in California's scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains from becoming the world's largest ski resort.
How We Work
Earthjustice works through the courts on behalf of citizen groups, scientists, and other parties to ensure government agencies and private interests follow the law. On Capitol Hill, we work to protect and strengthen federal environmental laws and preserve special places, like the Arctic.
Offices and Staff
Earthjustice's employees work out of nine regional offices around the country, which include an international program in San Francisco, CA and a policy and legislative team based in Washington D.C. Our regional offices and attorneys each have a unique focus, often local and national.
Our Victories
Earthjustice's victories illustrate our unique, tremendously effective strategy for success: big-impact litigation strengthened by savvy policy work and hard-hitting media communications.
While our top notch attorneys remain the tip of the spear, we also marshal the resources needed to provide political and public support for our legal wins to ensure their longevity.
Learn about some of our key victories
in two special interactive features:
In the Win Column:
A Year of Victories
At the close of 2012, Earthjustice with our partners and clients had won broad victories on a number of fronts in the past year. Read about three of these achievements—and the dozens of other victories from that year.
Earthjustice was born amid the national passion that marked the first Earth Day in 1970 and launched the modern environmental movement. Since then, we've scored hundreds of victories on behalf of the environment. Read about forty of our proudest accomplishments.
Special Feature: The Foundation Of Modern Environmental Law
Earthjustice is committed to the legacy of Mineral King: Using the law to protect the wildlife and landscapes that shape our nation's character.
The microenvironments of Mineral King Valley are a beautiful portal into the diversity of Earthjustice's work throughout the world.
Immerse yourself in Mineral King Valley—and the work Earthjustice is engaged in to preserve similar areas throughout our country.
Featured Videos
180 Seconds of Coal Ash Problems. Coal ash is the hazardous waste that remains after coal is burned. Dumped into unlined ponds or mines, the toxins from coal ash readily leach into drinking water supplies. Coal ash is the second largest industrial waste stream in America and is essentially unregulated.
Learn about coal ash
50 States United for Healthy Air. Clean air should be a fundamental right. Every year, many Americans young and old get sick because of air pollution. Thousands die. But our bodies don't have to be the dumping ground for dirty industries. Clean Air Ambassadors from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to defend our right to breathe.
Explore interactive feature