Celebrate Earth Month with Crag

Join our fight by supporting Crag’s legal aid for the environment during Earth Month! Earth Day is a day of action, celebration and recognition for the earth and the communities and organizations who work to protect it. Crag is excited to be part of Earth Day Oregon, a statewide initiative to celebrate sustainably-minded businesses and earth-focused nonprofits, like Crag, on Earth Day and throughout the month of April.

Victory! Judge Halts Post-Fire Logging near Breitenbush

On December 3, 2021, A federal judge enjoined post-fire logging on the Willamette National Forest near Detroit Lake and Breitenbush hot springs.

Victory! Court Halts Roadside Post-fire Logging Project

On November 5, 2021, for the second time this year, a federal court halted U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) plans to carry out extensive post-fire roadside logging. In granting a preliminary injunction, the court stopped planned commercial logging along 400 miles of roads within the Willamette National Forest.

Fragile post-fire forests saved in Rogue-Siskiyou Forest

In October 2021, a lawsuit Crag filed on behalf of Klamath Forest Alliance effectively stopped commercial logging in fragile post-fire areas in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Legal Fight Continues to Protect Farmland & Wetlands

On October 19, 2021, Crag filed a legal challenge to Columbia County’s controversial decision to rezone over 830 acres of prime farmland and wetlands for heavy industrial development along the Columbia River. This marks the county and Port of Columbia County’s third attempt to rezone the area following successful legal challenges brought by a local farmer, Columbia Riverkeeper, and 1000 Friends of Oregon to stop the rezone.

20th Anniversary logoCRAG LAW CENTER – WHO WE ARE

Crag is a client-focused law center that supports community efforts to protect and sustain the Pacific Northwest’s natural legacy. Implementing a unique model of legal aid for the environment, Crag balances the scales of justice by offering our clients free or low cost legal services in combination with assistance on campaign strategies, communications, community organizing and media relations.

Lost in the Wild

You’re invited to Lost in the Wild, Crag’s “wild” annual fundraiser to celebrate our recent...
2 baby northern spotted owlets in CA. Photo by Carlos Porrata

Protecting the few remaining owls

Protecting the few remaining owls last updated September 18, 2023We filed a new lawsuit to stop a...
Proposed changes in Oregon’s fish passage rules will hurt native fish and tribal fishing interests. Photo by Laura Mahoney/USFWS.

Restoring salmon protections

Restoring salmon protections last updated September 5, 2023Proposed changes in Oregon’s fish...
Large, burned trees in a forest with wildflowers growing nearby. Photo by Kimberly Baker, Klamath Forest Alliance.

Stopping one of the largest logging projects in California’s history

Stopping one of the largest logging projects in California’s history last updated July 21,...
Activists celebrate in Portland City Hall after successfully campaigning to pass the first Fossil Fuel ordinance. Photo by Rick Rapaport

Defending Portland’s policy restricting fossil fuels

Defending Portland’s policy restricting fossil fuelsActivists celebrating the passage of the...

You’re Invited! Crag’s Open House on July 27!

Join us for Crag’s Open House Thursday, July 27th! Drop by the Crag office any time between 5 PM – 7 PM and catch up with the Crag team over some tasty bites and beverages. Try your luck with some Crag trivia and win great prizes! This is a free, all-ages event. Bring a friend! RSVPs appreciated but not required.

Held v Montana plaintiffs are cheered on by supporters as they arrive for their second day of trial (Photo by Robin Loznak, courtesy of Our Children's Trust)

Youth v. Gov: For the future of our planet

Youth v. Gov: For the future of our planet by Liv Lufkin | September 28, 2023Held v Montana plaintiffs are cheered on by supporters as they arrive for their second day of trial. Photo by Robin Loznak, courtesy of Our Children’s Trust.Held v. Montana is leading the...
Activists protest from the Portland Youth Climate Strike from September 2023. Photo by PYCS.

Highlighting leaders of the youth climate movement

Highlighting leaders of the youth climate movement by Ceci Yeh | September 27, 2023Activists protest from the Portland Youth Climate Strike from September 2023. Photo by PYCS.Coming to Crag as a high school intern, I was inexperienced in the world of youth climate...

Where are they now? Tim Fitchett

Where Are They Now? Tim Fitchett by Kenji Gullo | July 27, 2023Tim Fitchett moved to Oregon around seven years before going to law school. Even before discovering Crag, he was already invested in protecting the environment and working with the communities around him....
Mike and his dog Wesley 1200x536

The Importance of Protecting Public Access to Oregon’s Shores

Whether fighting shoreline armoring projects that degrade and encroach on our beaches, or defending against over-reach by private landowners seeking to limit the public’s use of beaches, rivers, and streams, Crag is fighting alongside our partners to protect our access to the shore.

President Biden signing his 2023 Earth Day Executive Order, "to Revitalize Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All"

What President Biden’s recent Executive Order means for our Environmental Justice work

While it’s soon too to tell, here are five reasons why we are hopeful agencies will implement this Environmental Justice executive order to create meaningful change.

Crag files lawsuit challenging logging scheme in old growth and reserve forests. Photo by KS Wild.

Holding the line against logging in old-growth and ”reserve” forests

Holding the line against logging in old-growth and ”reserve” forests Crag and conservation groups file challenge to BLM scheme to log 17,000 acres of protected forest April 10, 2023  We’re suing the Bureau of Land Management to stop the Penn Butte timber sale, which...
Rebeka, Kelly, and Weina on Cannon Beach at 2023 Crag Staff Retreat

Reconnecting with our community

Reconnecting with our community, and inviting new people in

Cheyenne Holliday, Verde, Client Voices

Advocating for Water Justice

In this edition of Client Voices, I interviewed Cheyenne Holliday, the Water Justice Coordinator at Verde. I talked with her about her background, her work, and what she believes are the next steps for her and her organization.

The Ambo Fund: Saving Sacred Fish in the Klamath Basin

Klamath Basin: Fighting for Water Rights by Crag Law Center| August 27, 2021Six national wildlife refuges in the Klamath Basin provide some of the most important habitat in North America for migratory birds. But like the region, the refuges are parched after years of...

Rebeka Dawit: Trailblazing for Environmental Justice

Enormous redwoods towering overhead, lush fern-filled understory, crisp misty air, an ocean breeze, the sweet smell of eucalyptus and cliffs dropping to the Pacific Ocean. Who wouldn’t feel moved to protect such a beautiful place?

Stack of logged old growth trees

Post-Fire Logging: More Harm Than Good

Logging in the aftermath of wildfire is a common practice in the Pacific Northwest. Post-wildfire logging also referred to as “salvage logging” is said to reduce fuel for future fires and benefit public safety by removing possibly dangerous trees near roads.

Preserving Hells Canyon

In this edition of Client Voices, Danica interviewed Veronica Warnock, Conservation Director at Greater Hells Canyon Council and a former summer associate at Crag. She talked to Veronica about her background, her work, her passion for Hells Canyon and why conservation...

Increasing Tourism Threatens National Parks’ Stability

Increasing Tourism Threatens National Parks’ Stability by Noah Tobias | July 26, 2021Thousands of organisms walk along the trails of national parks, including more than 400 endangered species. But as tourism grows, the bulk of visitors flooding in threatens to...

Protections for Tongass National Forest Spark Hope

The repeal of a Trump-era rule allowing development in the Tongass offers hope for the future of the Alaska rainforest.

Client Voices featured image of Lovel Pratt and Friends of the San Juans Logo.

Lovel Pratt, Friends of the San Juans

In this edition of Client Voices I interviewed Lovel Pratt, the Marine Protection and Policy Director at Friends of the San Juans.

Big Day for Youth Climate Case

What happened in the courtroom on June 25 could prove pivotal in advancing the historical lawsuit.

Photo of a rusty water spout

How Crag Took On Government Injustice – and Won

Crag represented the Rosemere Neighborhood Association in an environmental justice lawsuit against the EPA, securing a landmark victory that continues to help organizations challenge discrimination under Title VI.

Protest sign that reads Planet Over Profit

More climate change cases are coming

The number of cases against big polluters has nearly doubled in three years and we’ll likely see even more in the next decade.

Photo of former Crag interns at Oxbow Springs. Blog Title: "Closing the Gap: Crag's Emerging Leaders Program."

Closing the Gap

Summer intern Noah Tobias dives into the history and future of Crag’s Emerging Leaders program.

Eelgrass: Protecting Oregon's Underwater Meadows

Eelgrass: Protecting Oregon’s Underwater Meadows

Seagrasses are key to healthy estuarine ecosystems and play an important role in combating climate change . We need to engage elected officials and environmental management boards to ensure that these important resources remain undisturbed.

Legal Aid for the Environment Since 2001

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