We are building a global movement for the rights of nature.
The founders of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CDER) are pioneers in the work of establishing the rights of nature.
CDER has catalyzed change in the legal status of nature from being property – without even the most basic right to exist – to nature being recognized as a living entity with legal rights.
Donate to CDER today and help us advance the Rights of Nature!
Discover Some of Our Groundbreaking Programs
-
Ecuador
In 2008, we met with delegates to Ecuador’s Constituent Assembly which was drafting the country’s new constitution. The focus of the discussions was on the rights of nature – or Pacha Mama - and the need to do something different to protect the fragile, remarkable ecosystems of Ecuador. In September 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to enshrine the rights of nature in a national constitution.
-
Tribal Rights of Nature
Through our Tribal Rights of Nature Program, with our partners we are developing and advancing laws and constitutional frameworks that strengthen and protect the rights of tribes and the rights of nature. And, we are working with them to uphold, implement, and enforce these frameworks. Further, we are conducting education, trainings, and knowledge sharing, engaging with Indigenous organizations, tribal lawyers, tribal officials, and tribal members.
-
Ireland & Northern Ireland
In both Northern Ireland and Ireland, the growing environmental crises are being recognized as matters of “all island” concern.
Central to the response to these crises are growing calls to recognize the legal rights of nature in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We partner with and assist people and organizations like yours.
We invite you to contact us to learn how we can work together to make change.
Recent News & Updates from CDER
You may have seen us featured in:
-
![]()
"A Lake in Florida Suing to Protect Itself"
-
![]()
"Nature Lawyers Up"
-
![]()
"Rights for the rivers: Groups fight for recognition of natural entities' legal rights"
-
![]()
"Could 2024 be the year nature rights enter the political mainstream?"
-
![]()
"Could the ‘rights of nature’ save Yasuní and keep its oil in the ground?"
-
![]()
"Ireland’s countryside may be given ‘human rights’ to provide legal protection for natural landscape"
-
![]()
"Ireland could give nature constitutional rights"
-
![]()
"Indigenous principles inspire Rights of Nature movement to combat environmental threats"
-
![]()
"Legislation that provides nature the same rights as humans gains traction in some countries"
Join the Movement for the Rights of Nature.
Make your tax-deductible donation today.
At CDER, we believe that nature is a living entity that should have recognized legal rights of its own.
As we face overlapping environmental crises — from climate change, to accelerating species extinction rates, to ecosystem collapse — it is clear that we need to make a fundamental shift in how we govern ourselves toward nature. Therefore, it is essential to protect human communities and the natural communities upon which we all depend.
We work with governments, tribal nations, Indigenous communities, civil society, and grassroots activists to protect the human right to a healthy environment and establish the rights of the environment itself – the rights of nature. This means securing the highest level of legal protection for humans and nature through the recognition of legal rights.
Together, we are building a powerful movement to protect our planet.
Thank you to our Partners in advancing the Rights of Nature! We’re so happy to feature many of them below:
