About Environmental Defense Fund

Guided by science and economics, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions

Climate change, a key focus of EDF, is driving species toward extinction. We’re working to protect monarch butterflies and other creatures.

EDF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Our people: We’re one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of 675 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world.

Our values: We believe prosperity and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. We’re optimists, because we have seen our ideas make a huge difference. And we build strong partnerships across interests to ensure lasting success. See more on our mission and values.

Our focus: We achieve results by finding solutions that benefit people while protecting natural systems.

America’s most economically literate green campaigners.
The Economist

Forging the way forward

For decades, EDF has been committed to bipartisan environmentalism. The results are incontestable: Every major environmental law from the early 1970s to 2016 has passed with support of both Democrats and Republicans.

In 2017 – our 50th year – we will work with members of Congress from both parties who, like us, resist attacks against America’s bedrock environmental laws.

We’ll continue to find innovative ways to solve big environmental problems in the U.S. and globally. Among our successes, we’ve played key roles in:

Driving the science and advocacy that led to federal action toward reducing climate-harming methane emissions
Introducing a management system that has dramatically reduced the amount of overfishing in the United States
Persuading companies, such as Walmart and McDonald’s, to adopt environmentally friendly business practices

Your donation has power

More than half of our operating funds come from people like you, who want groundbreaking approaches to protecting the environment.

Our high charity ratings show we use your money effectively. We follow a strict corporate donation policy. To remain accountable and transparent, we share our annual reports and finances.

Now more than ever, we need you

The laws that protect our clean air, diverse wildlife and stable climate are in danger. Join more than two million EDF supporters helping us gear up for major battles ahead.

This work becomes increasingly urgent in the new political climate. I am grateful to EDF for demonstrating leadership.
EDF supporter Kim from California

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