The goal of the Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights (a.k.a. "Great Lakes Bill of Rights), proposed by NYS Assemblymember Patrick Burke, is to secure the right for the Great Lakes ecosystems, as well as the watersheds and ecosystems throughout NYS, to exist, flourish, regenerate when disturbed, and naturally evolve. This bill is part of Rights of Nature, an international movement that recognizes that humans and nature are interconnected, and our well-being depends on the well-being of our environment.

Join the movement by signing on to this letter of support. You can also support by contacting your assemblymember or state senator and ask them to support and co-sponsor Bill Number A05156: Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights.

You can also email us at [email protected] and tell us what you think recognizing the rights of nature would mean for you and your watershed and community. We are collecting quotes and messages for future articles and stories about the bill!

WNYEA supports the Rights of Nature WNY group as they host events and dialogue around this topic, which you can learn more about from the links below:

5 minute video about Rights of Nature

Letter from Assemblymember Patrick Burke

Great Lakes Bill of Rights FAQ

What are the Rights of Nature?

Information about CELDF, leaders in the Rights of Nature Movement

The following news articles and newsletters all discuss the Great Lakes Bill of Rights:
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Common Dreams 
Native News Online 
Peter D’Errico Substack
Columbus Free Press 
Buffalo Fire
Max Wilbert Substack
Intercontinental Cry 
Tunica Biloxi Indians PAC
Katie Singer’s Substack
Blue Community
Great Lakes Now
Native America: A History
Ricochet (Canada)
Rolling Stone
Common Dreams
Pagosa Daily Post
One Earth Now Substack 
Salon
CounterPunch
Great Lakes Pulse
Inside Climate News  (article about an art exhibit inspired by the NY bill)

Podcasts about the Great Lakes Bill of Rights:

CELDF's Truth and Reckoning Podcast
Podcast Full Circle
Environmental Coffee House Podcast with Sandy Schoelles
Project Censored Interview

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