West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation’s mission is to safeguard the environment through law and empower communities to protect it. The organization believes in a just and sustainable society where environmental protection is a basic right for everyone. Their purpose is to educate and advocate so that citizens are empowered to foster change and ensure lasting protection for land, air, and water.

West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation focuses mainly on British Columbia, working across local communities, but its influence extends throughout Canada. The organization collaborates with Indigenous nations, governments, and diverse groups to reform laws and policies nationally. While rooted in Vancouver, its programs and advocacy frequently reach the rest of Canada.

Key programs include providing free legal advice and grants through the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund for those facing environmental conflicts. They help shape environmental laws on climate change, forests, land use, and Indigenous legal revitalization. Notable achievements include advancing the Impact Assessment Act, supporting the ban on oil tankers on BC’s north Pacific coast, and developing legal coalitions for environmental protection.