After three years of operations, the New Brunswick Environmental Law Society has had the opportunity to canvass the needs of New Brunswickers when it comes to the legal dynamics of environmental issues.  And, having done this, we understand that our role is to partner with environmental organizations and other community groups that are facing various legal dilemmas or who have ideas for law reform.

New Brunswick is fortunate to have dozens of non-profit organization doing work on a variety of environmental issues.  The province's environmental network, the NBEN, is the hub of the wheel that makes coordination between these groups possible.  The NBEN answers general inquiries from the public, runs a dynamic website that lists member groups from around the province and distributes information via news releases, email lists and various gatherings.  Other groups bring scientific analysis and political action on a wide range of issues while dozens of other groups have more specific mandates related to fighting pollution, doing monitoring work on watersheds, building community action plans, etc.  

These groups have individuals that bring expertise such as scientific knowledge, experience as community organizers, and communications skills.

At the NBELS, our expertise and knowledge is related to the legal issues and legal options on any given environmental matter.  We offer a legal information line for quick assessments of a situation or for more detailed opinions, we run an environmental law clinic where law students and lawyers do research projects or prepare legal actions, we advise groups on law reform initiatives, and we tour the province to speak to interested groups and organizations. 

In sum, we partner with groups that want to advance environmental law initiatives.

Ours is a unique mission, one that did not exist in New Brunswick prior to the launch of the NBELS.  And, together, we can make the New Brunswick environmental movement stronger.