The Environmental Defender's Office Ltd, (EDO), is a not-for-profit community legal centre specialising in public interest environmental law. We help individuals and community groups who are working to protect the natural and built environment.

The EDO is part of a national network of centres that help to protect the environment through law in their States.

The EDO has an active program of:

• casework,
• scientific assessment and advice,
• education and
• law reform.

In addition, we provide free initial legal advice to the community.

Public donations and support are also vital in enabling us to do the work we do. You can help support the EDO by:

• a donation,
• becoming a Friend of the EDO or
• volunteering.

Mission

The EDO's mission is to promote the public interest and improve environmental outcomes through the informed use of the law.

Strategic Approach

The EDO seeks to achieve its mission using the following strategies:

• Using a multidisciplinary approach which incorporates legal and scientific advice and representation; contributing to law reform and the development of public policy; and providing education and information to the community
• Promoting the value of public participation in environmental decision making and empowering the community to achieve better environmental outcomes through the informed use of the law
• Increasing access to justice by working with diverse groups within the community, and providing equitable access to services throughout New South Wales
• Recognising the importance of indigenous involvement in the protection of the environment
• Contributing to national and international work to achieve positive environmental outcomes through the law, within the limits imposed by funding
• Engaging early in environmental decision-making processes
• Managing the legal complexities of client campaigns and issues to the fullest extent possible
• Focusing on the merits of cases, both through contributions prior to decisions being made and as an adjunct to judicial review.

Acknowledgments

The EDO receives financial assistance from the Public Purpose Fund of the Law Society of New South Wales, the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales, the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

We would also like to thank the Environment and Planning Law Association of NSW (EPLA) for financially supporting the EDO Reseach Fellowship Program and DLA Phillips Fox for ongoing support.