Organizations

 

These links provide a sampling of organizations working on fundamental issues involved in our global ecological crisis.

  • Highlights

    Groups working through legal and other action, through research and education, and groups of particular note.
    • Center for Biological Diversity
      Working through science, law, and creative media, the CBD is unusually effective at protecting habitat and winning protection for species threatened with extinction.
    • The Center for Large Landscape Conservation
      Working to connect "working lands, urban areas, and wild lands into whole, healthy landscapes that allow nature to flourish." A key approach to species protection in light of climate change.
    • Center for Western Priorities
      "Nonpartisan conservation and advocacy organization that serves as a source of accurate information, promotes responsible policies and practices, and ensures accountability at all levels to protect land, water, and communities in the American West."
    • Citizens’ Climate Lobby
      "Non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change."
    • The Climate Emergency Fund
      "Provides support to individuals and organizations who demonstrate the intention and capability of disrupting the inadequate and immoral gradual approach governments around the world are taking to addressing the climate emergency."
    • Defenders of Wildlife
      "Works on the ground, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill to protect and restore imperiled wildlife across North America and around the world."
    • Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
      "Our aim is for more diverse, beautiful and resilient natural landscapes in which species can thrive and people can enjoy a deeper connection with nature."
    • The Ecocentric Alliance
      "A global advocacy network for ecocentrism and deep green ethics.... Values non-human nature independently of any benefit it may have for humans specifically."
    • Extinction Rebellion
      "An international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse."
    • Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
      "Our mission is to protect national forests and to reform the U.S. Forest Service by advocating environmental ethics, educating citizens, and defending whistleblowers."
    • Foundation for Deep Ecology
      "Education and advocacy on behalf of wild Nature." And "[opposition to] destructive mega-technologies that are accelerating the extinction crisis."
    • Global Footprint Network
      "Think tank that provides Ecological Footprint accounting tools to drive informed policy decisions in a resource-constrained world."
    • The Global Ocean Refuge System
      "Aims to assemble a representative network of strongly protected marine areas across 30% of all ocean ecosystems."
    • Great Old Broads for Wilderness
      "National grassroots organization, led by elders, that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands."
    • Indigenous Environmental Network
      "Alliance of Indigenous peoples whose mission it is to protect the sacredness of Earth Mother from contamination and exploitation by strengthening, maintaining and respecting Indigenous teachings and natural laws."
    • Nature Needs Half
      Much needed effort toward "protecting and interconnecting at least half of the planet, land and water, to support all life on earth..."
    • Population Media Center
      Unique organization producing research-proven serial broadcast dramas to educate, raise awareness, and promote empowered, healthy attitudes toward family planning and related issues.
    • The Rewilding Institute
      Continental-scale conservation in North America, emphasizing keystone species and the landscape required for their movement. A key response to climate change.
    • Round River Conservation Studies
      "Ecological research and education organization [focused on] conservation strategies that conserve and restore wildness." Cool student programs and much success in helping achieve large scale land protections.
    • Saving Nature
      "We select strategic parcels of land that offer the greatest leverage in connecting habitat fragments to create viable areas to support biodiversity and preserve critical ecosystems."
    • Survival International
      International organization supporting tribal (and band!) peoples worldwide. Works for such peoples’ rights in three complementary ways: education, advocacy and campaigns.
    • Western Watersheds Project
      Focused on the impacts of cattle grazing on public lands, "the mission of Western Watersheds Project is to protect and restore western watersheds and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives and litigation."
    • Wild Earth Guardians
      Through legal action and public awareness concerning the American West, "We defend wildness, empower life, end injustice, and stand for healthy, sustainable ecosystems and human communities."
    • Wilderness Watch
      An admirably uncompromising group working to promote and protect designated wilderness. "Committed to citizen oversight, public education and when necessary, legal and legislative action, to protect America’s finest environmental legacy..."
    • Wildlands Defense
      Tactics include on-the-ground presence, media, and judicial enforcement to promote preservation of Western wildlands.
    • Wildlands Network
      Protecting species by creating Continental Wildways, large protected corridors of land throughout Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, providing the connectivity needed for species preservation, particularly in light of cimate change.
    • Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
      "international nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats."

  • Professional organizations

  • The desert southwest

    An area of tremendous biodiversity, beauty, lore, and ecological importance, the southwestern US is being hit hard by climate change. Additional human pressures only compound the ecological impacts. These groups are working to protect the area.
    • Arizona Land and Water Trust
      "Works closely with local, state and federal agencies, as well as private landowners and land trusts, to protect Arizona's vanishing landscapes and wildlife habitat."
    • Arizona Wilderness Coalition
      "Mission is to permanently protect and restore wilderness and other wild lands and waters in Arizona."
    • Basin and Range Watch
      "A group of volunteers who live in the Western United States, working to stop the destruction of our desert homeland."
    • Borderlands Restoration
      "Our goal is to reconnect wildlife, land, and people in the Arizona/Sonora Borderland region by involving people in restoring the ecosystem on which we depend."
    • Climate Assessment for the Southwest
      At the University of Arizona, " the mission of the Climate Assessment for the Southwest... program is to improve the region’s ability to respond sufficiently and appropriately to climatic events and climate changes."
    • Coalition for Otero Mesa
      Help gain protection for this incredible grassland in the Chihuahuan Desert.
    • Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
      "Works to achieve the long-term conservation of biological diversity and ecological function of the Sonoran Desert..."
    • The Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation
      "works to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the borderland region of the United States and Mexico through land protection, habitat restoration and wildlife reintroduction."
    • Desert Survivors
      "An affiliation of desert lovers committed to experiencing, sharing and protecting desert wilderness wherever we find it."
    • Friends of Cedar Mesa
      "A nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that supports stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of Cedar Mesa and other public lands in San Juan County, Utah."
    • Friends of Nevada Wilderness
      "Has been successful in protecting over 3 million acres of Nevada wilderness."
    • Friends of the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks
      This group helped get national monument designation and protection for this beautiful area of the Chihuahuan desert! Help support their ongoing work to protect this and other areas.
    • Gila Conservation Coalition
      Based in southwestern New Mexico and "organized in 1984 to protect the free flow of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers and the wilderness characteristics of the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness areas..."
    • Glen Canyon Institute
      GCI's mission is exemplary -- to decommission Glen Canyon Dam, drain Lake Powell, and restore a healthy Colorado River through the Canyon.
    • Grand Canyon Wildlands Council
      "science-based solutions for conserving the full diversity of life and natural ecosystems across the Grand Canyon Ecoregion, protecting and restoring a network of wildlands."
    • Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
      "Dedicated to bringing back wolves and restoring ecological health in the Grand Canyon region."
    • Lobos of the Southwest (Mexicanwolves.org)
      A collaborative effort of concerned citizens and... organizations using the Internet to help save the endangered Mexican gray wolf.
    • Naturalia
      "promotes the conservation of Mexico´s ecosystems and wild species through outreach, environmental education, and the development of field conservation activities."
    • New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
      "Dedicated to the protection, restoration, and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wildlands and Wilderness areas."
    • New Mexico Land Conservancy
      "Our Mission: Preserving New Mexico’s land heritage by helping people conserve the places they love."
    • Northern Jaguar Project
      Working to protect the jaguar, NJP combined with Mexican conservation organization, Naturalia to create "the Northern Jaguar Reserve, which encompasses 78 square miles of prime jaguar habitat south of the Arizona border."
    • Patagonia Area Resource Alliance
      Committed to preserving and protecting the Patagonia, Arizona area... a watchdog organization that monitors the activities of industrial developers such as mining corporations [and] government agencies.
    • Sky Island Alliance
      "Dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rich natural heritage of native species and habitats in the Sky Island region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico."
    • Sonoran Desert Heritage Campaign
      "A diverse partnership working to permanently protect Arizona’s unique Sonoran Desert."
    • Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
      "A group of concerned citizens who share the common goal of preserving Utah's remaining desert wild lands, known collectively as America's redrock wilderness."
    • Southwest Climate Change Network
      "Its goal is to improve our region’s understanding of climate change and help people figure out ways to respond and adapt to it."
    • The Southwest Environmental Center
      "Speaks for wildlife and wild places in the southwestern borderlands. We work to protect and restore vital habitats, like Otero Mesa and Rio Grande, and endangered species, like the Mexican gray wolf."

  • Population information, awareness, and advocacy

    • Global Population Speak Out
      An event, the original version of which I created, aims to to break through the taboo against public discussion of population issues. Now expanded and under the auspices of the Population Institute.
    • Population Action International
      "Advocates for women and families to have access to contraception in order to improve their health, reduce poverty and protect their environment."
    • Population Connection
      Educating students, informing constituents, working with congress concerning population policiy.
    • Population Council
      "Conducts research to address critical health and development issues. Our work allows couples to plan their families and chart their futures."
    • Population Institute
      Provides education about population and promotes universal access to family planning information, education, and services. Orchestrates the annual Global Population Speak Out, a project I created.
    • Population Matters
      UK group making a real impact raising awareness and promoting research and policy. Solid information and well argued articles highlighting the impact of population on the environment.
    • Population and Sustainability Network
      Network helping its member groups communicate the importance for sustainability of both population and per capita consumption.
    • Population Reference Bureau
      Informing people about population and working to put information into action.
    • World Population Balance
      Raising awareness throughout the Midwestern US through talks, interviews, ad campaigns, public programs, and more.

  • UN population links

  • Nuclear decommissioning/disarmament

    It is vital to work toward safely decommissioning all nuclear reactors and disarming nuclear weapons while civilization remains capable of doing so.
    • Beyond Nuclear
      "Aims to educate and activate the public about the connections between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to safeguard our future." See the "links" section there for more.
    • Nuclear Information and Resource Service
      "A national non-profit organization devoted to a nuclear-free, carbon-free world."