Our Work
Prosecuting the Yellowstone Club for Clean Water Act Violations.

PROSECUTING THE YELLOWSTONE CLUB FOR POLLUTING THE GALLATIN RIVER.

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Suing the Governor of Montana and the DEQ for failing to do their jobs.

SUING THE DEQ FOR FAILING TO DO ITS JOB.

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Challenging pharmaceutical pollution

KEEPING PHARMACUETICALS OUT OF MONTANA’S RIVERS.

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Cottonwood Adopt a Highway

Highway 191 Trash Pickup.

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Prosecuting Spanish Peaks for Clean Water Act violations.

PROSECUTING SPANISH PEAKS RESORT FOR CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS.

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Restoring Constitutional Rights and Regulating Single-Use Plastics in MT

COTTONWOOD FILES LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF NINE MONTANA RESIDENTS AND ITS MEMBERS TO PROTECT THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

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Prosecuting Clean Water Act violations in Big Sky, Montana.

PROSECUTING BIG SKY RESORT AND THE BIG SKY WATER & SEWER DISTRICT FOR CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS.

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Defending Stream Access & Clean Water

DEFENDING STREAM ACCESS AND CLEAN WATER.

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Defending the Montana Constitution

PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF CITIZEN BALLOT INITIATIVES.

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Restoring wildlife in southwest Montana.

RESTORING WILDLIFE IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA.

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Our litigation is changing the landscape of conservation.

A proven track
record of success.

Cottonwood is a small group of effective conservationists that believe our natural resources should be managed using science, not politics. We file strategic lawsuits that start out locally, but almost invariably have national impacts.

  • PROTECTED

    over 12 million acres of critical habitat for Canada lynx in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

  • STOPPED

    The federal government from taking ranchers’ land in southeast Montana to build a $550 million coal railroad.

  • HELPED RESTORE

    over 40 rivers and streams in Montana by requiring industrial wastewater polluters to apply for new permits and obtain the best treatment technology available.

Join our conservation community. Follow us!

Want a Cottonwood Hat or Reusable Tote Bag? Now’s the time! You can get a hat for $40, a tote bag for $20 or both for $50. Both the hat and tote bag are made of sustainable materials. Send us a DM or email nathan@cottonwoodlaw.org to order. Als
The Holidays are rapidly approaching! You can support Cottonwood by purchasing stocking stuffers through the link in our bio - #cottonwood #holidays
Cottonwood is working to return bison to public lands and to tribal land in Montana to restore this important species to their native range and to boost opportunities for tribes to exercise their treaty rights. Thanks to @northroadcomm for this gra
Member Monday! Cottonwood is a nonprofit that relies on our members to fund our work suing billion-dollar polluters and protecting Montana’s wildlife. Visit cottonwoodlaw.org to become a member! This week’s member is Elliot French. Here

Become a Member.

Cottonwood represents its members and other conservation groups in court for free. Become a member and join us on the front lines of conservation. You’ll receive essential news, updates, and opportunities for direct action.