Social Activism
Environmental Law Foundation
Grist
Louisiana Bucket Brigade
London, UK www.elflaw.org
Seattle, WA www.grist.org
New Orleans, LA www.labucketbrigade.org
The Environmental Law Foundation helps people to use the law to protect and improve their local environment and quality of life.
A fiercely independent online environmental magazine, Grist exists to tell the untold stories, spotlight trends before they become trendy and engage the apathetic.
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade is an environmental health and justice organization working with communities that neighbor petrochemical plants.
HeadCount, Inc.
Michigan Environmental Council
Public Media Center
New York, NY www.HeadCount.org
Lansing, MI www.mecprotects.org
San Francisco, CA www.publicmediacenter.org
HeadCount is a non-partisan organization devoted to registering voters and promoting participation in democracy.
MEC seeks to provide a collective voice for the environment by building diverse alliances, educating decision makers and rallying the public in support of environmental protections.
PMC is a strategic marketing, communications and advocacy agency working exclusively on behalf of environmental, social justice and public interest causes.
Nevada Rock Art Foundation
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
Reno, NV www.NevadaRockArt.org
Basalt, CO www.rfov.org
Nevada Rock Art Foundation use volunteers to conserve rock art sites through public education, site recording and site monitoring.
RFOV promotes stewardship of our public lands by creating volunteer opportunities for trail work and conservation projects.
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
Seeds for Change Network
The battle to save our environment will never be won unless the public is informed and empowered to fight for a sustainable and just society. Until then, “Wise Use” groups will pursue their misinformation
Environmental Support Center
campaigns, and our environmental laws will continue to be threatened by short-sighted politicians and
Washington, DC www.envsc.org
government officials who pander to special interests. We therefore support a wide variety of groups committed to bringing about long-term, ecologically conscious, social and political change by engaging citizens in environmental campaigns. Total given in this category in fiscal year 2008: $201,400.
Spotlight: Louisiana Bucket Brigade Dorothy Jenkins used to call the refinery near her home in New Sarpy, just west of New Orleans, to complain about the odors. A low-ranking operator would tell her not to worry, the black plume of smoke that billowed for hours near her home was not harmful. Now Mrs. Jenkins, president of Concerned Citizens of New Sarpy, has a bucket. When refinery managers and government regulators tell her there is nothing to worry about, she answers, “Why then, was there a benzene reading of 14 in my air sample, a reading that violates the state standards?” Dorothy is one of hundreds of activists the Louisiana Bucket Brigade has trained to use a bucket to monitor air quality. Founded in 2000 to empower communities that were ignored or overlooked, the Brigade has trained them not only to turn a common household item into a scientific tool, but also to find their voice and their power as citizens able to hold institutions accountable to provide a safe and healthy environment. One by one, the Brigade is linking communities like New Sarpy with others to mobilize their power locally and advocate collectively for solutions. They’ve created the Fenceline Neighbors Network, so together, citizens can learn from lessons gleaned over city and parish lines. They’re also researching all 16 oil refineries currently operating in the state to identify common problems, and then working with local and national groups to demand solutions. While ambitious, the Brigade knows the citizens of Louisiana deserve nothing less.
Photos: (left) Petitions fill against forest closures in Salmon, Idaho. Jim Oltersdorf;; (right) Louisiana Bucket Brigade member Percy Hollins grabs an air sample to test for pollutants
ESC works to promote the quality of the natural environment, human health and community sustainability by increasing the organizational effectiveness of regional, state and local organizations working on environmental issues and for environmental justice.
2025 Project
B-Sense Forum
Environmental-Aboriginal Guardianship Through Law and Education
Tokyo, Japan www.2025.jp
Tokyo, Japan b-sense@mail.goo.ne.jp
Vancouver, BC www.eaglelaw.org
2025 Project works to raise awareness of environmental and social problems in the world among young people.
B-Sense Forum works to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity to human beings.
EAGLE uses both environmental and Aboriginal law to assist Aboriginal leaders and decision-makers in protecting sacred lands and the natural environment.
Association Citoyenne Active de Lutte contre les Pollutions Grignon, France http://acalp.blogspot.com ACALP concerns itself with the effects of incinerator pollution on the environment and public health, working to promote alternative solutions.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Aspen, CO www.aspennature.org ACES seeks to inspire a life-long commitment to the earth by educating for environmental responsibility, conserving and restoring the balance of natural communities and advancing the ethic that the earth must be respected and nurtured.
Cascade Resources Advocacy Group Portland, OR www.crag.org CRAG is a client-focused law center that supports community efforts to protect and sustain the Pacific Northwest’s natural legacy.
Do The Right Thing! Recycling Chicago, IL 773-213-6271 Do The Right Thing! Recycling promotes recycling through education, community involvement and customized recycling services.
Forest Ecology Network Lexington, ME www.forestecologynetwork.org Forest Ecology Network seeks to protect the native forest environment of Maine through public awareness, grassroots citizen activism and education.
GreenLaw Atlanta, GA www.cleangeorgia.org GreenLaw is dedicated to preventing air and water pollution that endangers human health and degrades Georgia’s natural resources, by providing free, high quality legal and technical assistance to environmental organizations and community groups.
High Country Conservation Center Frisco, CO www.highcountryconservation.org HCCC works to improve awareness and appreciation of our environment and to assist in its preservation.
Hnutí Duha, Friends of Earth Czech Republic Bratislavska, Czech Republic www.hnutiduha.cz Hnutí DUHA advocates environmental solutions to improve our quality of life by inspiring actions that improve environmental health and conserve nature.
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Washington, DC www.lcveducation.org LCV works to strengthen the capacity of the environmental movement to mobilize citizens as informed voters and advocates for sound environmental policies.
Santa Fe, NM www.nmenvirolaw.org The New Mexico Environmental Law Center works to protect New Mexico’s natural environment and communities through legal advocacy and public education.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. New York, NY www.plannedparenthood.org Planned Parenthood exists to provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings that preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual.
Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura and SLO Counties Santa Barbara, CA www.ppsbvslo.org Planned Parenthood advocates responsible attitudes toward sexuality and constructive planning to reduce teenage pregnancy.
Oxford, England www.seedsforchange.org.uk Seeds for Change is a network of experienced activist-trainers that delivers high-quality campaign and action-skills training to grassroots campaigners across the UK.
Seven Generations Ahead Oak Park, IL www.sevengenerationsahead.org SGA advocates for local community solutions to global environmental issues and works to promote renewable energy, eco-effective materials and products, sustainable buildings and local food.
and toxins near his home in Norco, Louisiana. Thom Scott SOCIAL ACTIVISM
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