Crag Law Center

Mission

Our mission is to provide activists, neighbors, conservation groups, and Tribes with strategic, free and low cost legal services to win lasting environmental protections for our ecosystems, climate, and communities. This year, we’re celebrating 20 years of environmental justice!

Bottom Line for Portland

For over 20 years, we’ve supported environmental justice leaders, built capacity for frontline communities, and worked towards systemic change.

But the playing field isn’t even. These groups often face challenges from well-funded corporations and teams of lawyers who use their resources and power to defend environmental harms and deny communities a seat at the table.  

That’s where Crag comes in. We are a team of experienced environmental lawyers balancing the scales of justice by providing strategic, free and low cost legal services to people fighting for our ecosystems, climate, and communities.

Every dollar you donate helps us deliver over $4 million a year in strategic legal services to protect old-growth forests and watersheds, fight the climate crisis, support native fish recovery, and help local residents stand up for their communities against corporate bullies. 

Quote

“When communities are faced with unthinkable environmental challenges, and it seems like there’s no way to win, Crag is there. They provide the legal know-how, they equip communities with the tools they need to confront the powerful industry and government groups trying to ram through projects that put profits over people. They provide free advice, legal services, strategy, and training, so that together, we stand up to giants and win. But they can’t do it alone. Crag relies on donations from people like you. And with your support, we are winning lasting legal changes for our communities, ecosystems, and climate.”

-Vivian Satterfield, former client at OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Crag focuses on addressing inequities in the law and throughout our organization, infusing equity and environmental justice principles across all of our programs. Environmental justice in practice to us means elevating the voices of historically excluded communities, sharing tools to influence decision-makers, and making environmental laws work for everyone. This work is long term, and we are always learning, reflecting, and improving. Read more about our commitment to equity here.

Incentives

• To inspire the next generation of environmental justice advocates, the Brainerd Family Fund will match all donations 2:1 up to $10,000. 

• All donors who make a gift by 12/14 get a free ticket to Bark's Community Confluence on Saturday 12/14/2024.

• Donate $25+ and get a 20% off at Thunderpants USA. 

• Donate $50+ and get a complimentary 1 hour kayak or SUP rental from eNRG Kayaking ($25 value)

• Donate $250+ and get a Willamette Falls kayak tour for 2 with eNRG Kayaking ($158 value).

Partner(s)

As community-based lawyers, we are grateful to partner with these local non-profits and businesses:

Bark is the only watchdog organization dedicated to protecting Mt. Hood National Forest, a critical resource for Portland communities and beyond. Bark's mission is to transform Mt. Hood National Forest into a place where natural processes prevail, wildlife thrives, and local communities have a social, cultural, and economic investment in its restoration and preservation. Crag is proud to participate in Bark's Community Confluence Conference on December 14th at Left Bank Annex, including a Do Good Get Down dance party. A donation of $10 or more to either of our nonprofits gets you into the event. 

1000 Friends is a non-profit that works with Oregonians to enhance our quality of life by building livable urban and rural communities, protecting family farms and forests, and conserving natural areas.

eNRG Kayaking is one of the top kayak schools and raft companies in the Northwest with a flatwater location on the docks below Willamette Falls in Oregon City on the Willamette River, and in Mill City along the N. Santiam River 34 miles east of Salem. They also now have an outpost along the lower Clackamas River, and a Forest Service permit to run Upper Clackamas River rafting and kayaking and offer custom rafting / kayaking, and multi day trips on the Deschutes River.

Thunderpants USA's wedgie proof underwear is made in Portland, OR with organic cotton, and their core values are: ethical manufacturing, sustainable business practices, and exceptional quality.