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| EarthFirst! | |
|---|---|
| Name | EarthFirst! |
| Formation | 1980 |
| Founders | Dave Foreman; Howie Wolke; Ron Kezar; Bart Koehler; Mike Roselle; Marcella Tinman |
| Type | Environmental activism network |
| Location | United States; global |
| Key people | Dave Foreman; Mike Roselle; Marc Palast; Brent Burnside; Joan Gussow |
| Focus | Conservation; direct action; wilderness protection |
| Methods | Ecotage; civil disobedience; blockades; tree-sitting; monkeywrenching |
EarthFirst! is a radical environmental advocacy network founded in 1980 that promoted direct action to defend wilderness and biodiversity. Emerging from conservation debates in the United States, the group became known for confrontational tactics, a decentralized affinity-group structure, and cultural influence on later environmental movements. Its proponents and critics include notable activists, legal authorities, journalists, and politicians across North America and Europe.
EarthFirst! originated in 1980 when a cadre of conservationists and activists split from mainstream environmental organizations such as Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, and National Audubon Society. Founders including Dave Foreman, Mike Roselle, Howie Wolke, Ron Kezar, Bart Koehler, and Marcella Tinman framed the new organization in opposition to perceived compromises by groups like World Wildlife Fund and Nature Conservancy. Early actions took place in regions such as the Pacific Northwest, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains, connecting with campaigns over issues tied to the Tongass National Forest, Gila Wilderness, and disputes involving the Timber industry. The network expanded through the 1980s and 1990s with campaigns that intersected with events like protests against clearcutting, clashes related to Spotted Owl protection, and alliances with local groups including Sierra Club Northern California Chapter and Greenpeace USA.
EarthFirst! articulated a biocentric and deep ecology-inspired philosophy, influenced by thinkers and movements associated with Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and Arne Naess. Its writings referenced themes from Deep ecology movement, Social ecology, and elements adopted from radical publications tied to activists near Green Anarchism, Animal Liberation Front debates, and permaculture proponents such as Bill Mollison. The network emphasized wilderness preservation connected to places like Boreal forest, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act areas, and endangered species like the Spotted Owl and Northern Spotted Owl habitat. EarthFirst! manifestos and newsletters often engaged with literature circulated alongside works by Edward Abbey, The Monkey Wrench Gang (novel), and critiques of policy makers associated with the Reagan administration and later federal land managers.
EarthFirst! employed direct actions including tree-sits, road blockades, sit-ins, and sabotage tactics sometimes described as "monkeywrenching." High-profile campaigns targeted projects linked to the Timber industry, Logging Roads, Dams (hydroelectric projects), and mining proposals such as those affecting the Grand Canyon region. Notable tactics included occupations in old-growth stands in the Pacific Northwest, mass gatherings like the annual Rendezvous, and symbolic disruptions related to events staged near sites like Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park. Actions occasionally intersected with other movements and events such as protests at the World Trade Organization and demonstrations coordinated alongside Earth Day activities. The network’s confrontational practices inspired debate with legislative responses including enforcement by agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecutions under statutes enforced by Department of Justice offices.
The network operated via autonomous local cells and affinity groups, emphasizing decentralization and leaderless resistance similar to structures seen in Black Bloc tactics and anarchist collectives. Communication relied on print newsletters, regional gatherings, and later digital forums parallel to platforms used by Indymedia and Climate Camp organizers. Coordination occurred at Rendezvous gatherings and through relationships with allied organizations such as Rainforest Action Network, Earth Liberation Front sympathizers, and conservation groups involved in litigation like Earthjustice. Funding and logistics flowed through informal networks, benefit concerts, zine distribution channels, and support from sympathetic non-profits and activist bookstores tied to communities around Berkeley, California, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.
EarthFirst! faced controversy over its endorsement or association with property damage and sabotage attributed to affiliated actors, provoking critique from mainstream organizations including Audubon Society leaders and lawmakers such as members of the United States Congress. Incidents connected to extremist actions prompted investigations by agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecutions in federal courts. Internal disputes erupted over tactics and rhetoric involving figures like Dave Foreman and Mike Roselle, leading to schisms and the formation of splinter groups and related movements. Legal debates involved statutes concerning obstruction, conspiracy, and environmental protection laws influenced by acts like the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and interpretations of criminal damage statutes in jurisdictions such as Oregon and California courts.
EarthFirst! influenced subsequent environmental movements, contributing practices and cultural forms adopted by Earth Liberation Front, Earth Liberation Front (ELF), Direct Action groups, and climate activism networks that organized against infrastructure projects like pipelines crossing sites related to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protests and actions against Dakota Access Pipeline. Its legacy appears in protest techniques used in campaigns defending habitats in regions such as the Amazon rainforest, Boreal Canada, and Tasmania old-growth. Scholars and journalists in outlets linked to Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, Columbia University law reviews, and environmental history programs have analyzed EarthFirst!'s role alongside debates involving indigenous rights groups like Native American Rights Fund and international NGOs such as Friends of the Earth. The network’s cultural imprint persists in activist literature, documentary films, and academic studies exploring radical environmentalism, civil disobedience, and the politics of preservation.