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The Getches-Wilkinson Center and the Getches-Green Clinic recently partnered with Conrad Anker, famed mountaineer, and eight other professional outdoor athletes to submit an amicus curiae brief in the Montana youth climate change case. The brief was submitted to the Montana Supreme Court, which is now considering the youth’s claim that the State of Montana has been violating their state constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.

On March 13, 2020, 16 youth from across Montana filed a constitutional climate change lawsuit against the state of Montana – Held v. State of Montana. They assert that the state is violating their state constitutional rights by actively promoting fossil fuel extraction and failing to consider the impacts to the environment of Montana.

On August 14, 2023, after an historic trial, Judge Kathy Seeley ruled in favor of the youth plaintiffs, declaring that the State of Montana violated their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment. The State then appealed that decision to the Montana Supreme Court.

GWC and the Getches-Green Clinic partnered with Conrad Anker and other outdoor athletes and provided the court with real world stories on the importance of Montana’s constitutional rights and natural resources to the quality of life and recreation-based economy in the state. They also provided information on the latest research demonstrating that benefits to mental, physical, and spritiual health of spending time outside, especially for children and young people.

GWC is also grateful for the help of Domenic Cossi and Western Justice Associates, PLLC, who assisted with the amicus curiae brief.Ìý