Start Here
Rights of Nature is a growing field of law and governance that recognizes ecosystems and natural beings as rights-bearing entities. This library is a curated guide to key concepts, major legal milestones, and practical models – with special attention to the U.S. and Washington State.
Start with Foundations
Key concepts, vocabulary, and how rights-based frameworks work.
Compare Models
Side-by-side frameworks, who enforces, what remedies exist, where issues shows up.
Go Local: Washington
Washington-centered context, local strategy, and watershed governance.
LIBRARY GUIDE
How to use this library
Rights of Nature spans court decisions, governance models, and local law. Use this page in three ways:
- Browse by topic: definitions, concepts, models, remedies, case studies, and more
- Follow the guided path: a curated sequence from basics → models → movement → local focus → sources
- See how this library is built: primary sources, summaries, and updates
Quick starts
- New here?
Start with Foundations→ - Comparing frameworks?
Models & Comparisons→ - Washington watersheds + forests?
Washington Focus→ - Need primary sources?
Resources→ - Real world applications? Projects→
- Practitioners? Resources→ | Contact us→
Browse by topic
Explore key concepts, legal models, and Washington-focused applications.
What Are Rights of Nature?
Core definition • rights-bearing nature • duties to respect
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
Standing • guardianship • harm • remedies • restoration
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Standing & Guardianship
Who can sue • who represents nature • authority models
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Legal Models
Constitutions • statutes • ordinances • governance design
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Enforcement & Remedies
Injunctions • restoration • monitoring • damages • fees
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Global & U.S. Milestones
Timeline • landmark laws • key cases • turning points
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Case Studies
Real examples • outcomes • obstacles • lessons learned
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Green Amendments vs. Rights of Nature
Human right to a healthy environment • nature’s rights • comparisons
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Washington: Rivers, Watersheds & Legacy Forests
WA focus • rivers & watersheds • Nooksack/Snohomish • legacy forests
Explore →
Seeing unfamiliar terms? Start with Key Concepts & Vocabulary→
Guided Path
Prefer a curated sequence? Start with the core pages below.
01
Foundations
definitions • core concepts • how frameworks work→
02
Models
model language • design choices • Green Amendments→
03
Movement timeline
milestones • timelines • landmark cases→
04
Washington focus
watersheds • legacy forests • constitutional amendments • water adjudication→
05
Resources
primary sources • organizations • recommended reading→
How this library is built
A few notes on what you’ll find here and how we keep it reliable.
- Primary sources first — laws, cases, official documents
- Plain-language summaries — what it says + why it matters
- Practical organization — definitions, models, remedies, examples
- Updated over time — as new cases and WA work evolves