Civil Society

This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives in which one or more of the initiators is a group of people that have come together to support the initiative, but are not in a formally recognized non-governmental organization. These people may either be based in a particular community or be gathered together via a common movement/initiative.

Florida (USA) court case: Loggerhead Turtle v. County Council of Volusia County

Location:Florida, USA

Status:Approved in 1998

Legal Provision:Court Case

Nature Type:Animal, Marine Ecosystem

Citizens who filed a lawsuit on behalf of Loggerhead and Green turtles facing barriers to reach the ocean from county vehicles partially lost the case in 1995.Read More →

USA Federal Court Case: Cetacean Community v. Bush

Location:USA

Status:Failed in 2004

Legal Provision:Court Case

Nature Type:Animal, Marine Ecosystem

In 2004, the “Cetacean Community” (plaintiffs) filed and lost a lawsuit to halt actions by the U.S. Navy that cause harm to Cetaceans.Read More →

Blaine Township (USA) Ordinance: corporate land development and rights of nature

Location:Pennsylvania, USA

Status:Approved in 2006

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Blaine, Pennsylvania passed an ordinance recognizing rights of nature and preventing land development from non-family corporations within the township in 2006.Read More →

North Plainfield (USA) Ordinance: community rights and rights of nature

Location:New Jersey, USA

Status:Failed in 2007

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

In 2007, an ordinance in North Plainfield, New Jersey recognizing rights of nature and prohibiting the use of certain corporations for land development failed.Read More →

Atkinson (USA) Ordinance: community water rights and rights of nature

Location:New Hampshire, USA

Status:Approved in 2007

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Atkinson, New Hampshire passed an ordinance recognizing personhood for nature and residents’ right to use water from sustainable water cycles in 2008.Read More →

Halifax (USA) Ordinance: corporate mining, chemical trespass, community rights, and rights of nature

Location:Virginia, USA

Status:Approved in 2008

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

In 2008, the town of Halifax, Virginia passed an ordinance recognizing rights of nature and opposing corporate mining.Read More →

Mahanoy Township (USA) Ordinance: sewage sludge and rights of nature

Location:Pennsylvania, USA

Status:Approved in 2008

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Mahanoy, Pennsylvania passed an ordinance recognizing rights of nature and limiting the powers of corporations within the township in 2008.Read More →

Nottingham (USA) Ordinance (2008): community water rights and rights of nature

Location:New Hampshire, USA

Status:Approved in 2008

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Nottingham, New Hampshire passed an ordinance recognizing rights of nature and banning corporate water withdrawals for resale within the township in 2008.Read More →