🌿 Introducing: ELF Community Spotlight We’re launching a new series to share the stories of communities who have stood up to protect their local environment — often in the face of being ignored, dismissed or overwhelmed.

📢 We’re delighted to welcome our new CEO, Robin Pierro! 🌿 The Environmental Law Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Robin Pierro as our new Chief Executive Officer.

Are you concerned about or working with trees, woodlands and forests? Are you interested in testing a new Rights of Nature toolkit? There are a few spaces left at our joint event at the University of Sussex on 3rd December from 2pm to 5pm. If you would like to attend please contact [email protected]

🌿 Join us on 11 December for Intervening for the Environment! 📅 Thursday 11 December 2025 📍 London + Online 🎟️ Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/intervenin... This is a space to learn, connect and empower the growing movement for environmental justice. Let’s intervene where it matters. 🌍✨

🌊 Missed our Rights of Rivers webinar? Catch up now! Our recent session with Matrix Chambers explored how local councils can take practical steps to support the Rights of Nature movement – with a special focus on rivers. 🌿 ▶️ Watch now: vimeo.com/1134637522/a... #RightsOfNature #RiverRights

Helen Hamilton shares how she worked to overturn planning permission for a factory farm threatening ancient woodland in Wales — showing how pro bono action can hold decision-makers accountable and protect irreplaceable habitats. 💚 Join our pro bono network: elflaw.org/get-involved... #ProBonoWeek

Senior Associate Sabah Siddiq, from Lester Aldridge, worked with ELF and the Woodland Trust to overturn planning permission for a poultry farm expansion that threatened ancient woodland in Wales. 💚 Stand up for nature with your legal skills. Join the ELF pro-bono network: elflaw.org/get-involved...

Environmental barrister Jessica Allen reflects on her work on the Brighton Marina case, to defend the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) from harmful activities. 💚 Join our network of pro bono lawyers and make your skills count for the planet: elflaw.org/get-involved... #ProBonoWeek

Living beside the River Arun, Matthew Cripps witnessed wildlife disturbance caused by unregulated river use and worked with ELF and the University of Sussex Law Clinic to explore legal solutions and community protection tools. 💚 Join our pro-bono network: elflaw.org/get-involved...

For Pro Bono Week 2025, we’re celebrating the inspiring people behind ELF’s network of environmental justice champions. Dr. Joanna Smallwood supported a community working to protect the River Arun. 💚 Learn more about how you can volunteer your legal skills: elflaw.org/get-involved... #ProBonoWeek

💧 How can councils act for their rivers? Our new Rights of Rivers guide offers step-by-step advice for councils and communities to do the same. 📘 Explore the guide: 👉 www.hoganlovellsbase.com/_uploads/dow... #RightsofRivers #LocalCouncils #EnvironmentalJustice #NatureRights #Rivers

“What if we saw rivers as kin rather than possessions?” Across the UK, communities are reframing their relationship with rivers — seeing them not as property, but as living systems with the right to flow, to regenerate, and to thrive. 📘 www.hoganlovellsbase.com/_uploads/dow... #RightsofRivers

2024 saw some of the lowest butterfly numbers since UK records began. ELF has signed the Bristol Declaration to shape the Big Insect Rescue Plan — an evidence-based roadmap for recovery. 🌼 Add your voice today: butterfly-conservation.org/big-insect-r... #BigInsectRescuePlan #BristolDeclaration

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday at the 'Symposium for the practical application of the River Ouse Charter' held at Marine Workshops, Newhaven. We're extremely grateful to be work collaboratively and with shared responsibly to help our waterways to live, thrive and evolve.

Insects across the UK are in crisis — and the numbers are alarming. Together, we can build the Big Insect Rescue Plan — informed by public voices, science, and community action. 👉 Have your say: butterfly-conservation.org/big-insect-r... #BristolDeclaration #BigInsectRescuePlan #TogetherForInsects

🌊 WEBINAR: Rights of Rivers – How Councils Can Take Action Friday 7 November 2025 | 12:30–13:30 | Zoom 📅 Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

🌊From Sussex to councils across England, river rights are no longer niche — they’re flowing into the mainstream. Just two years after Lewes District Council’s historic motion on the River Ouse, more than a dozen councils have followed, exploring charters, personhood and rights for their rivers.

🌊Do rivers and whales really have rights? ELF Co-Director Emma Montlake shares insights in this thought-provoking Financial Times, exploring what it truly means to give nature a voice in law. Read more: www.ft.com/content/d8ed... #RightsofNature #EnvironmentalJustice #RiverRights #LegalPersonhood

🌊 Does a river have rights? From the River Ouse in Sussex to the Ganges in India and the Whanganui in New Zealand, a global movement is growing to recognise rivers as legal persons – with rights to flow, thrive, and be protected.

🌿 Join ELF as our next CEO! ELF is on a mission to ensure everyone has access to environmental justice — empowering communities, protecting nature, and driving real change.

Victory for nature! 🌟 On 5 September 2025, the High Court overturned the planning approval for the Moylgrove Adventure Hub—declaring it unlawful due to serious environmental concerns. elflaw.org/news/landmar...

It is with deep respect and profound sadness that we share this unpublished letter from Rachel Youngman, CEO of the Environmental Law Foundation, written shortly before her untimely passing. elflaw.org/news/a-messa...

Environmental law in the age of climate chaos and biodiversity collapse by ELF Co-director Emma Montlake Read more: www.climatechangebh.org.uk/perspectives...

ELF has worked with Emily Shirley of Thamesbank over decades. There is no one who knows more about campaigning for the River Thames and more generally, around river issues. We asked Emily to give us her reflections on the successful Court of Appeal, Pickering case.

🌼 Let it grow, let it grow! This May, we’re giving the lawnmower a break and letting nature do its thing. By skipping mowing for just one month, we’re creating a safe haven for bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. Every little flower helps! #NoMowMay #BeeFriendly #WildYardWins

Happy Birthday, Sir David Attenborough! Today, we celebrate not just the years of a remarkable life, but the profound impact you've had on our world.

🌊 “The Ouse has a voice—and we must listen.” 🌱 Emma Montlake, co-director of ELF writes about the rights of rivers.

Our Spring newsletter went out today! You can read here: share.sender.net/campaigns/an... Don't forget to subscribe to be the first to know about our updates!

Our work covered by Timeout! www.timeout.com/uk/news/the-...

Today is the last day of hashtag#showthelove campaign and our Co-Director Emma Montlake is showing the love for Moorlands: Read Emma's full blog: elflaw.org/news/moorlan...

In an exciting and groundbreaking decision, Lewes District Council have agreed to recognise the Rights of the River Ouse, paving the way for the Ouse to become the first in England to have its legal rights recognised by a local authority.

ELF is actively engaged in a significant public inquiry concerning the River Thames and the critical question of its governance and control over its future management. The Port of London Authority (PLA) three years ago proposed an updated Harbour Revision Order (HRO)

Our member spotlight this month goes to Gabriel Nelson, barrister at Francis Taylor Building. He has acted for local communities, campaign groups and NGOs in a range of environmental law matters, as well as central and local government.

ELF paralegal Tanvi Sengupta shows her love for rivers and why we need to protect them. At ELF, we’re working to defend our rivers—challenging pollution, supporting communities, and fighting for legal recognition of river rights. 🏛️💧 Read the full blog: elflaw.org/news/rivers-... #ShowTheLove

Last December, the Office of Environmental Protection issued three decision notices with regard to the regulation of network combined sewer overflows through which untreated sewage is discharged into watercourses, an issue we see constantly at ELF.

The day will feature presentations from @exeter.ac.uk Professor @kevinjgaston.bsky.social, Tom Brenan @elflaw.bsky.social and David Sumner (Larcomes Legal Limited), followed by workshop co-ordinated by Friends of the River Exe. Kindly supported by the Helen & Geoffrey de Freitas Trust

DID YOU KNOW? The UK has laws designed to protect our oceans—but they need our support! 💙 From Marine Conservation Zones to banning single-use plastics, these policies help safeguard marine life and habitats. 🐬🐟💚 #EnvironmentalLaw #UKLaw #ProtecttheOceans #SavetheSeas

ELF is joining #ShowTheLove campaign!💚 🌊 We share a blog from our comms officer: "From the Philippines to Norfolk, my love for the coast has shaped who I am. Growing up surrounded by water, I always felt connected to the ocean—even when I was afraid of it." 📖 Full blog: elflaw.org/news/showing...

Join us! Thursday 27th February 2025, 11am to 4pm Exeter University, Streatham Campus The event is free to attend but places must be booked. Register here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon... Kindly supported by the Helen & Geoffrey de Freitas Trust

ELF's Co-director, Emma Montlake, will be at the Green United School Conference hosted by the University of Sussex: www.sussex.ac.uk/about/sustai...

ELF is involved in this case in Norfolk. Read more about the story: www.theguardian.com/environment/... Read about ELF's involvement: elflaw.org/past-cases/c...

We are thrilled to welcome Rachel Youngman as the new interim CEO of the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF). With the Board and team, Rachel will lead the organisation through a period that builds on ELF’s remarkable history. Read more about her and her role at ELF: elflaw.org/news/rachel-...

The investigation is a rare move, accdg to Emma Montlake, joint director at ELF, who has worked on numerous tree felling cases. “As long as local people are front and centre, and it is not only interviewing officers, it could be a very important step”, she said. thedeveloper.live/opinion/no-l...

Our latest newsletter is here! Read our 2024 updates: share.sender.net/campaigns/9w...

Hi BlueSky! Did you miss our David Hall Conversation event last week? You can now watch the discussion here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ct9...