Black Mountain U.S. Town Ordinance for Rights of the Swannanoa River
In 2024, residents of Black Mountain, North Carolina drafted a proposed amendment to the Town Charter to recognize the rights of the Swannanoa River.Read More →
Freshwater Ecosystem
This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives in which the subject of the initiative is a freshwater ecosystem. Examples include watersheds, rivers, lakes, freshwater aquifers, or any type of freshwater wetlands (e.g., ponds, marshes, swamps, etc.).
12th Local Rights of Nature Tribunal: Yesah 2024
In June 2024, the International Rights of Nature Tribunal held its 12th local hearing, the Yesah Tribunal brought against the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).Read More →
Ecuador court case on the rights of the Machangara river
In July 2024, a court in Quito, Ecuador ruled that the Machángara River is a subject of rights and the municipality of Quito has breeched said rights.Read More →
Municipality of Goiás (Brazil) law on the rights of the Vermelho River
On June 13, 2024, the Goiás City Council in Brazil unanimously approved a bill granting legal rights to the Vermelho River in Brazil.Read More →
North Carolina U.S. Rights of the Dan River Ecosystem Act
May 1, 2024, a bill was introduced in North Carolina’s state legislature to grant legal rights to the Dan River, including the right to be free from pollution.Read More →
Hawaii U.S. Bill on the Rights and Legal Personhood of Watersheds
In January 2024, Hawaii introduced a bill to recognize legal personhood and rights of watersheds, in reflection of native Hawaiian traditional beliefs.Read More →
Town of Serra de Outes (Galicia) Spain Declaration of the Rights of the Tins River
In March 2024, Serra de Outes in Galicia adopted a Declaration of the Rights of the Tins River—making it the first river in Spain to have its rights recognized.Read More →
Quebec, Canada Bill to recognize the rights of the Saint Lawrence River
On May 5, 2022, a bill was introduced in the National Assembly of Quebec to recognize the rights and special legal status of the Saint Lawrence River.Read More →