Legal personhood for ecosystems might sound like science fiction—but it’s a real legal revolution now championed by National Geographic and its partners.
At a Glance
- Ecosystems are being recognized as legal persons in new conservation efforts.
- National Geographic’s “For Nature” program backs youth-driven legal advocacy.
- The Nature Conservancy partners to fund global externships.
- Callie Veelenturf’s marine activism inspires global Rights of Nature campaigns.
- Legal tools aim to halt extinction and protect biodiversity from irreversible harm.
A Legal Revolution in Conservation
As environmental crises intensify, a novel solution is gaining traction: granting legal personhood to ecosystems. Through the “For Nature” program, launched by the National Geographic Society and The Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund, ecosystems like rivers, forests, and coral reefs may soon have standing in court.
The program builds on the work of marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Callie Veelenturf, who champions nature’s right to exist, flourish, and regenerate. Her mission: make ecosystems legal persons with rights equivalent to corporations or individuals.
“Recognizing the Rights of Nature is vitally important because it directly changes the way in which society considers Nature in decision making,” Veelenturf said.
Training the Next Generation of Eco-Advocates
The effort isn’t just legal—it’s educational. Through externships with The Nature Conservancy, young activists aged 18–25 get tools, funding, and mentorship to launch projects in conservation law, climate equity, and biodiversity storytelling.
Since launch, over 1,300 participants from 139+ countries have participated, building legal strategies that align cultural preservation with ecosystem defense.
“Having a community like the one we developed through the externship is amazing… There’s a whole group behind me,” said extern Deborah Santos de Azevedo.
Watch a report: Ecosystems, Rights & Courtroom Fights
From Rivers to Courtrooms: The Legal Blueprint
The Rights of Nature movement isn’t new—but it’s expanding fast. From Ecuador’s constitutional recognition of nature’s rights to the Whanganui River’s personhood in New Zealand, advocates see courtrooms as new battlegrounds for climate and conservation policy.
Alfred Kobacker, whose fund co-founded the program, said: “This commitment is exemplified by our support of The For Nature program… representing the largest commitments in the Fund’s history.”
The program fuses law, science, and narrative to confront threats to endangered species, freshwater basins, and marine biodiversity.
What Comes Next?
Nature’s day in court might redefine how humanity interacts with the planet. By institutionalizing ecosystems as legal entities, supporters believe we can finally embed environmental ethics into law—replacing short-term profit with long-term sustainability.
This isn’t just theory. If the movement succeeds, polluters could be sued by rivers. Developers could be blocked by forests. The legal balance may shift from dominance to partnership—ensuring that nature’s voice, once silent, finally speaks.
