Conserving and protecting our vital natural resources, ecological systems, biodiversity and wildlife, and public lands and waters is an investment in our heritage and our future. Once these resources have been destroyed, the time and costs for restoration are enormous. For example, when agricultural use of the DDT pesticide almost wiped out the population of American bald eagles in the Upper Mississippi River area, enormous public resources and private initiatives were then necessary to protect the remaining pairs of nesting eagles and restore their habitat. Only then did the bald eagle population increase sufficiently to justify removal from the endangered species list.

The Biden administration’s America the Beautiful “30 by 30” conservation program aims to conserve 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030. The goal is to protect biodiversity and address climate change, as well as expand people’s access to the outdoors.

Below is just a sample of what ELPC attorneys and advocates are working on across the Midwest. Read my latest blog post to learn more. 

• Expanding Protected National Wilderness Areas in Illinois and Michigan
• Restoring the Great Lakes Freshwater Resources 
• Protecting the Great Lakes’ National Marine Sanctuaries in Michigan and Wisconsin
• Clean Water Act Enforcement Litigation to Protect the Great Lakes 
• Protecting the Great Lakes from Oil Pipeline Spill Risks in Michigan and Minnesota
• Protecting the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota
• Expanding Protection for the Iconic Driftless Area’s Vital Natural Resources and Wildlife Habitat in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin

Earth Day is a great time for celebrating the successes and progress achieved in protecting our planet. It’s a great time, too, for focusing on what we’re doing and need to do to conserve, preserve and protect our vital natural resources, ecological systems, wildlife and biodiversity, public parks and waterways, and livable communities for the future.


Howard A. Learner
Executive Director
Environmental Law & Policy Center