Panama Decree Creating the Saboga Wildlife Refuge
On September 22, 2024, Panama's Ministry of Environment passed a resolution creating The Saboga Wildlife Refuge, which includes habitats for endangered sea turtRead More →
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This page allows you to access the original legal documents and other information associated with initiatives in the Eco Jurisprudence Tracker. You may filter your search based on the parameters and search bar below. To access the legal documents, click the “Read More” button for an initiative and scroll to the bottom of the initiative summary.
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Canadian Case Seeking Personhood for Lake Winnipeg
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is taking Manitoba Hydro and the Government of Manitoba to court. Decades of poor decision-making and Hydro friendly rRead More →
Porteirinha Brazil (state of Minas Gerais) municipal law on the rights of the Mosquito River
On April 15, 2024, the Mosquito River in Minas Gerais, Brazil, was recognized as a subject with rights, marking a significant step in the Rights of Nature movemRead More →
Spain Constitutional Court ruling on the Mar Menor Act of 2022
On November 20, 2024, Spain's constitutional court ruled that the Mar Menor Act of 2022 establishing legal rights of the Mar Menor Lagoon is constitutional.Read More →
Chile Declaration of Rights of the Biobío River
In September 2024, the Biobío River becomes the first ecosystem in Chile to have a Declaration of Rights, recognizing its rights to exist, flow, and regenerate.Read More →
Lucerne Switzerland constitutional amendment on the rights and legal personhood of the Reuss river
The Swiss association, Rechtsperson Reuss, aims to enshrine rights and legal personhood for the Reuss River in the Constitution of the Canton of Lucerne.Read More →
City of Everett, Washington (USA) municipal law on the rights of the Snohomish River
In November 2024, voters in Everett, Washington approved a ballot initiative that grants the Snohomish River legal rights to “exist, regenerate, and flourish”.Read More →
Rappahannock Tribal Constitution recognizing the rights of the Rappahannock River
On October 2024, the Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia became the first tribal nation in the U.S. to adopt a Tribal Constitution recognizing the rights of nature.Read More →
Colombia law on the rights of the Rancheria River
On August 8, 2024, the Congress of Colombia passed a law declaring the Rancheria River a subject of rights.Read More →
Nigeria River Ethiope Rights Act
In 2019, the Earth Law Center and River Ethiope Trust created the River Ethiope Rights Act – a draft law to grant legal rights for the River Ethiope in Nigeria.Read More →
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 →
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 Linhares (Brazil) Law on the Rights of the Waves
In June 2024, the municipal council of Linhares in Brazil approved a bill that recognizes the waves at the mouth of the Doce River as entities with 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 →
Town of Lyons, Colorado U.S. Resolution to Protect the St. Vrain Creek Watersheds and Ecosystems
On November 20, 2023, the town of Lyons, Colorado adopted a Rights-of-Nature like resolution to protect the St. Vrain Creek watersheds and their ecosystems.Read More →