Tell the NC General Assembly: The People Want Rights of Nature!

North Carolina General Assembly

Rights of Nature laws are a new kind of conservation law rooted in Indigenous values, which recognize ecosystems, and the human and natural communities that depend on them, as having legally enforceable rights to exist, regenerate, flourish and be free from pollution.

Rights of Nature strengthens environmental and community protections by evolving the status of nature from “property” to a rights-bearing entity, like a person. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples, and all of our ancient ancestors, have treated the environment and other species as they would their human kin, often referring to animals and rivers as relatives. Rights of Nature laws transfer this crucial, life-honoring perspective into a Western legal framework.

Being granted legal rights affords the highest protections possible under the law, and its benefits for ecosystems include expanded “standing” for enforcement, new and elevated standards of protection, and restoration required as a remedy. Rights of Nature laws recognize the health of our communities as dependent upon the health of our lands and waterways.

We already have a number of NC General Assembly members expressing enthusiasm for our legal Rights of Nature initiative, and new state-level legislation is in development to be introduced this year.

Sign our petition and help show the NC General Assembly that their constituents want Rights of Nature protections for our rivers and ecosystems!

Petition by
Crystal Cavalier
Crystal Cavalier
Mebane, North Carolina
Sponsored by
Letterhead_(2)
7 Directions of Service
Mebane, NC
Additional Sponsors
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350 Triangle

To: North Carolina General Assembly
From: [Your Name]

​Dear Lawmakers,

We, the undersigned community members, believe that nature has the right to exist, thrive, regenerate, and be restored in North Carolina. As stated in the NC constitution, we also believe our communities have the right to a healthy environment. As your constituents, we are delivering this petition to urge our elected representatives to recognize these rights by passing Rights of Nature laws.

Going farther than ARTICLE XIV Sec. 5 “Conservation of natural resources” in the NC Constitution, Rights of Nature laws recognize ecosystems as having legally enforceable rights. Rights of Nature laws help prevent destructive projects from moving forward, and provide communities with a broader avenue for legal action. Over three dozen cities, townships, counties and tribal nations across the U.S. have adopted Rights of Nature laws and policies to protect their local ecosystems.

The health of our waterways, wildlife and communities in NC are inseparable, and deserve the highest level of legal protection. As our lawmakers, we ask that you do all that you can to support our community-led initiative, and help advance Rights of Nature legislation, in any of–and not limited to–the following ways:

1. Advocating among your fellow NC GA members about the conservation benefits of Rights of Nature laws
2. Making public statements in support of Rights of Nature laws
3. Spreading awareness and educating your constituents by sharing Rights of Nature resources, such as those available at 7directionsofservice.com/rights-of-nature

Thank you,