What is the Action Guide to Environmental Advocacy?
MCE’s Action Guide to Environmental Advocacy is designed to help communities across Missouri take on local environmental issues. This guide is divided into the following seven parts: 1) Staying in the Know, 2) Accessing Public Records and Public Meetings, 3) Reporting Environmental Problems, 4) Influencing Decision-Makers, 5) Taking Legal Action, 6) Using the Media, and 7) Organizing and Building Public Pressure.
Why was this resource created?
This guide was created as a complement to The People’s Pocket Guide to Environmental Action. The Action Guide to Environmental Advocacy is a resource for individuals and communities that want to protect and advocate for issues impacting Missouri’s environment and public health.
This resource was created by MCE with input from other environmental advocates in Missouri. As you read through the guide, you will find their recommendations and insights, providing additional perspectives to guide you through your advocacy work.
How can I use this guide?
The Action Guide to Environmental Advocacy can be used to help you approach a range of advocacy goals using an assortment of approaches. You may want to jump into a specific section or start reading the sections one by one. We have included links and cross-references so that you can easily access the information that will help you construct an advocacy approach that best suits your situation.
This guide can help at any stage of your advocacy work.
No matter the stage of your advocacy efforts, this guide should have something to help support you and your community. If you are unsure where to start, Part 1 of this guide walks you through how to learn about local, state, and federal officials and agencies that might be relevant to your issue. It also provides resources to learn more about Missouri’s natural resources and environment, and suggests where you might sign up for email lists to stay informed about statewide issues. Alternatively, you may already know what resources you are specifically looking for when using this guide. Information on how to write an effective public comment, how to best organize a group of community members to address a specific issue, how to access public records with a Sunshine request, and many other topics can be easily found using the table of contents below.
This guide is a jumping off point for your advocacy.
Please note that this guide is not a comprehensive resource to all environmental issues throughout Missouri. MCE intends for this guide to enhance your advocacy efforts, but recognizes that you will encounter issues and challenges unique to your specific issue, location, organizational capacity, and more. In all sections of the guide, MCE has linked resources to other agencies and organizations located in Missouri that may help further your understanding and provide additional tools.
MCE staff is also available to answer any questions. Please use us as a resource.
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This guide is continuously evolving.
We would love to hear your feedback as you use this guide! Share a story of success from your community advocacy work, how this resource has helped your advocacy, or anything else you would like to learn more about here!
In this section, you will find:
C. Getting Information from the Government – Lists to Follow
D. Finding & Following Public Notice
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Become familiar with Missouri’s environment and the resources available in the state. Learn about your elected officials and your state and federal agencies, which direct and regulate a wide range of environmental protections. Sign up to receive information about projects that impact Missouri’s environment, and learn where to look for public notice.
In this section, you will find:
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As a member of the public, you have a right to review government documents and attend public meetings under both state and federal law. At the state level, the law is referred to as the Sunshine Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.010 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). At the federal level, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to public documents and the “Government in the Sunshine” Act governs access to public meetings. As an environmental advocate, reviewing public records and attending public meetings can help you ensure that government agencies follow the law when making decisions that impact the environment.
In this section, you will find:
A. What to look for when making a report
B. Reporting to Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources
C. MCE’s Missouri Pollution Watch Form
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When you notice something of concern, it’s important to report it to the right person, agency, or office who can handle it. Government is a bureaucratic behemoth with many layers, agencies, departments, divisions, and offices. Your concern may go unheard if you do not report it to the appropriate agency. Depending on the issue, it could be a problem for local, state, or federal government. When you report a concern make sure to get a reference number if you can, and make note of the person you talked to, the date and time, and their contact information so you can follow up.
In this section, you will find information on:
A. Comment Letters to Government Agencies
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Successful advocacy requires identifying the change or action you want (WHAT), understanding the person who can take that action (WHO), and then convincing them to do it (HOW). This section focuses on decision-makers working for government agencies; leaders in private corporations, including investors; and elected officials.
In this section, you will find:
C. What to Expect from Litigation
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This section can help determine if litigation is the right action for your issue. The courts provide an important and powerful check on government and polluters. Litigation is a unique type of advocacy that involves navigating the judicial system. Legal action can be helpful in enforcing environmental laws, appealing administrative decisions regarding permits or other rules, and challenging weak laws or regulations. While some advocates may choose to represent themselves in court, it is generally a good idea to find an attorney with environmental litigation experience.
In this section, you will find:
A. Press Releases and Media Advisories
B. Tips When Talking to Reporters
C. Traditional “press” and nontraditional media (podcasts, blogs, etc)
E. Resources: media consultants who shared tips
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Members of the traditional print media, including the digital/online operations of a print news publication, are extremely busy and constantly seeking “newsworthy” content to cover. There is both opportunity and potential disadvantage to intentionally bringing the media into the conversation around your issue.
Some things to remember when engaging journalists and/or developing a media strategy: members of the press are not, and do not view themselves, as allies for your cause, or beholden to helping fix your problem. They could even personally align with your views and values, but may or may not contextualize your work, the issue you are aiming to address, and the strategies and tactics of your group as you might prefer. Keep in mind that there is likely a significant difference in the way that journalists view their charge and the way that you may view their role in your advocacy. That said, with some knowledge of the process, the dynamics at particular publications, and the way in which the problem you seek to fix is framed to the media, your advocacy can be brought to new levels and reach exponentially more people with effective utilization of the media.
In this section, you will find:
B. Basics of political organizing
F. Understanding Political Campaigns
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Once you’ve identified some basic facts about the issue you’ve encountered and seek to remediate, you should determine what could be the most effective way to resolve it. Some considerations for this stage include:
Given these considerations, if you think that organizing is an appropriate strategy for your issue, read on to learn about organizing best practices, methods, and common roadblocks you may encounter.
In this section, you will find:
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