Environmental Law Institute

Environmental law that works for you: community-based education + research on national problems = solutions to protect people and nature. Independent and non-partisan.

Why do we exist?

Building on its history, reputation and experience, the Environmental Law Institute uses law and policy to create practical solutions to difficult environmental problems. ELI combines penetrating analysis with the knowledge and energy of local partners to protect people, places, and the planet. ELI gives citizens the information and skills they need to prosper while preserving the natural environment.

People have come to rely upon ELI for providing current and comprehensive information about legal developments and standard reference works; for undertaking groundbreaking research and making innovative policy recommendations; for giving insight into ways of improving the state and federal environmental protection partnership; for working with emerging democracies to shape workable strategies on environmental protection; for convening timely dialogues on current issues; for organizing workshops of environmental professionals to learn from and about each other; and for much more.

What have you accomplished?

The Environmental Law Institute has a wide range of programs, all seeking to advance environmental protection by improving law, policy, and management. ELI researches pressing problems, educates professionals and citizens about the nature of these issues, and convenes all sectors in forging effective solutions. We have trained over 50,000 lawyers and managers as well as 800 judges in 13 countries in basic and advanced environmental law and practice.  ELI’s Sustainable Land Use program identifies laws and policies that lead to wasteful land consumption, and helps governments reduce sprawl through improved laws and policies.  Our State Biodiversity Program demonstrates how laws and policies governing land use and development can better protect natural resources.  We continue to defend sound wetlands law and policy and work with federal and state government to recognize citizen leadership in wetlands protection.  We have helped states develop healthy school policies and helped biodiversity coalitions in Delaware, Indiana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and New Hampshire work to adopt new programs to protect and restore biodiversity in their states.  We continue to work on important programs focusing on sustainable land use, recycling vacant urban land (known as brownfields), water quality issues, and war and the environment, and we continue our mission to advance environmental justice.

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