Summary
In 2009, Blaine Township in Pennsylvania adopted a charter which recognized “Natural communities and ecosystems, including, but not limited to, wetlands, streams, rivers, aquifers, clouds, and other water systems, possess inalienable and fundamental rights to exist, flourish and naturally evolve within Blaine Township” (7) and considers natural communities and ecosystems as “persons” for the purpose of protecting those rights (101). The charter also recognized the right to water, to establish sustainability policies, to livelihood and home, and to cultural heritage. It said Blaine Township would not recognize any private claim to ownership of natural communities.
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/blaine-township-charter/.
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