Advocacy
Our advocacy efforts include proposing legislation recognizing the Rights of Nature, such as Panamanian Law 287, which recognizes Nature’s rights, including the right to legal defense in court, responsibility of the state and people to protect the rights of Nature to exist, persist, and regenerate its life cycles.
Behind Our Advocacy Initiatives
The most important aspect of conservation science is taking results from the field to the table in international policy settings. Decision-makers and management institutions rely on scientists to be an objective voice for Nature. It is our job as scientists and conservationists to make sure that our efforts are shared and integrated to create the most effective, scalable and sustainable management strategies.
Species Specific Rights of Nature Advances in the Ocean Environment
In a historic advance for marine conservation, Panama became the first country to recognize the rights of a marine species group under national law. The Sea Turtle Rights Law, originally proposed by the grassroots organization Panama Turtles (Panatortugas) and advised by our founder Callie Veelenturf, was passed as part of Law 371 in 2022.
"Protection of the rights of turtles and their habitats. The State will guarantee that natural and legal persons protect the rights of sea turtles and their habitats, such as the right to live and have free passage in a healthy environment, free of contamination and other anthropocentric impacts that cause physical and health damage, such as climate change, pollution, bycatch, coastal development and unregulated tourism, among others," states Article 29 of Panamanian Law 371.
Increased Protections for Marine Life - Panama
We are collaborating with SENAN (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval) to increase environmental awareness within local communities and prepare SENAN service people to handle delicate circumstances of wildlife trafficking and poaching. We are grateful to SENAN for their commitment to enforcing existing environmental regulations to protect endangered species.
Urgent Bycatch Reduction Efforts - Ecuador
We are collaborating with government agencies in Ecuador to develop urgent bycatch reduction measures.
Due to the country's extensive fishing industry, Ecuador is responsible for around 87% of sea turtle fisheries bycatch in the Southeast Pacific. We are collaborating with the Vice Ministry of Fisheries and Production, the National Fisheries Institute, and the Subsecretariat of Fisheries Resources to develop a national bycatch reduction program and plan for the next several years.
Explore Rights of Nature Advancements
It's Time #ForNature!
In 2022, founder Callie Veelenturf proposed Law 287, which "recognizes the Rights of Nature and the State Obligations to Uphold These Rights”.
The Rights of Nature is a global movement focused on securing legal recognition for Nature’s inherent rights to exist, thrive, and evolve. We work with local communities, lawyers, scientists, and legislators to propose and draft new legislation recognizing these rights.
Nature holds intrinsic value and is worthy of respect in its own right. By understanding that humanity is not separate from Nature but a part of it, and by moving beyond the mindset that sees the natural world solely as a resource to exploit, we can foster a more harmonious and sustainable relationship with our shared planet.
This critical campaign aims to directly change the way society interacts with and considers Nature's existence.
