Work with state governments and tribes to create buffer zones and oppose federal leases (states can tighten regulations on drilling impacts, and tribes can refuse drilling on adjacent tribal lands).
New Mexico’s state leadership, for example, supported the Chaco buffer; state-driven moratoria around parks (like Colorado’s push to bar leasing near Great Sand Dunes NP) build local support.
Why this works
- New Mexico’s state leadership, for example, supported the Chaco buffer; state-driven moratoria around parks (like Colorado’s push to bar leasing near Great Sand Dunes NP) build local support.
League of Conservation Voters
AdvocacyElecting environmental champions and advocating for climate action
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a prominent environmental advocacy and political organization founded in 1969. LCV works to turn environmental values into national priorities by influencing elections and policy: it publishes the National Environmental Scorecard rating lawmakers’ votes, lobbies for strong environmental protections, and through its affiliated PACs supports pro-environment candidates. LCV and its state affiliates mobilize voters, run issue campaigns on climate and conservation, and have helped secure victories such as passing stronger clean air and water laws and defending public lands.
Mechanism
About GrassrootsHow League of Conservation Voters uses funding
- Recruit and align local leaders, Tribal partners, and community groups around a shared protection objective.
- Plan actions and participation that influence planning, permitting, and leasing moments.
- Coordinate state and local policy moves that reduce drilling impacts and create buffer zones.
- Build coalitions that can respond quickly when federal leases threaten a specific place.
- Convert pressure into outcomes by tracking commitments and escalating when officials backslide.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Local coalition and priority places defined
Near termPartners align on the sensitive areas and the decision points that matter most.
- 2
Participation surge executed
During planning windowsLocal and Tribal engagement visibly shapes the record and the political narrative.
- 3
State and Tribal protections advanced
During policy actionsConcrete buffers or impact-reduction steps move forward.
- 4
Local wins defended
OngoingProtections hold despite pressure to reopen leasing.