On the Ground Activism

Rivers, Trees & Nature in Development & Planning

Lawyers for Nature was born out of grassroots activism, most notably the Sheffield Tree case in 2017, where community resistance to mass tree felling sparked a national conversation about the legal status and protection of trees. That campaign helped to shape our DNA, asking that law is in service of Nature. We have carried that ethos forward ever since, combining legal strategy with on the ground organising and work to protect Nature. Today, this lives through Paul’s long standing activism as a River Guardian on the River Roding, which has helped shape practical models of river guardianship grounded in lived experience. 

Examples

  • The River Guardian Summit at Sheepdrove Organic Farm (October 2025), bringing together over fifty river guardians with lawyers, ecologists, academics, journalists and community organisers

  • River Guardianship Course (in development), a free and open-source online course combining legal insight, practical guidance and Paul’s firsthand experience

  • Forest City Project, advising on how the voice of Nature can be embedded into planning and development

  • Legal Aid for Nature, providing bespoke legal assistance to local community groups such as Middlewick Ranges and Forth Reserve Group at Gorme Wood

  • The Lough Neagh Report in collaboration with the Earth Law Centre and others

illustrated flower scene