Quebec (Canada) Law: 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 →
North America
This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives that exist in the United States, Canada, and Greenland. While we acknowledge that Mexico is geographically part of North America, we include Mexico in the Latin American category.
Lyons (USA) Resolution: rights of the St. Vrain Creek watershed
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 →
Potsdam (USA) Resolution: rights of the Raquette River
In November 2022, the Potsdam Town Council unanimously passed a resolution granting rights to the Raquette River, and will work on a local law to secure them.Read More →
Citizen Declaration: rights and responsibilities of the St. Lawrence River
In 2022, North Country (U.S) community members (Haudenosaunee Territory) drafted a sample Bill of Rights of the St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne WatershedRead More →
Buckingham County (USA) Ordinance: community rights and rights of nature
In August 2022, a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance recognizing the rights of ecosystems of Buckingham County, VA was submitted to the Board of Supervisors.Read More →
New York State (USA) Law: Lake Erie Bill of Rights
In February 2019, a bill was introduced in the New York state legislature to create a Lake Erie Bill of Rights, but did not make it past the committee stage.Read More →
New York (USA) State Law: Great Lakes Bill of Rights
In February 2025, a bill was re-introduced in the New York state legislature to create a Great Lakes and State Waters bill of rights.Read More →
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Declaration: rights of herring
On April 26 2023, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe adopted a resolution on the Rights of Herring, recognizing their right to exist, migrate freely and reproduce.Read More →