Protecting nature is the best form of resilience. What happens to nature, happens to humans.
Our Mission
We help communities work together to protect the environment and the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens against the impacts of climate chaos, air, water, land and noise pollution from destructive corporate actions.
RCN stands on the principle that protecting nature is the best form of community resilience. RCN will achieve this mission by engaging in legal actions, grassroots organizing, advocacy before governmental entities, non-violent direct actions, and public education.
“There is a single Earth community. There is no such thing as a human community in any manner separate from the Earth community. The human community and the natural world will go into the future as a single integral community or we will both experience disaster on the way.”
Thomas Berry
Dan Leftwich, Legal Director
Dan Leftwich is the president and legal director for Resilient Community Network. He is also the founder of Evolutionary Law, a public interest law firm that uses Earth Law principles to solve complex legal issues impacting communities and the environment. Dan moved with his family to Boulder, Colorado, from Washington, D.C., where he co-owned a highly successful law firm specializing in class action antitrust and commercial fraud litigation. Evolutionary Law was created in 2009, as part of Dan’s shift to more local community rights cases and the rights of nature.
For 10 years, Dan’s new firm helped communities in Colorado assert their fundamental legal rights to protect the public health, safety and the environment against fracking. He is also an advocate for Earth Jurisprudence as taught by Thomas Berry and gives presentations on constitutional rights, nature’s role in sustainability, and community resilience. His current legal work includes actions to protect Boulder County residents, wildlife and the environment from the noise, lead, and safety threats caused by repetitive piston engine aircraft operations over our communities and open space.
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence -- The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
Director, University of Texas Legal Research Board
Bachelor of Journalism -- The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Publications
“Longmont’s Airport is a Financial Mess; Landing Fees Can Help Fix It,” June 22, 2025. Longmont Times-Call Guest Opinion.
“Longmont Needs a Course Correction at its Airport,” Dec. 3, 2024. Longmont Times-Call Guest Opinion.
"Seizing the Initiative Against Preemption: The Rediscovery of Fundamental Rights," MindDrive Legal Blog, March 2016.
"Evolving from Dominion to Communion: How Legal Rights for Nature Can Exist in Balance with Individual Property Rights," Earth Jurisprudence and Environmental Justice Journal: (2011) Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 2.
"Crimes Against Nature Are Crimes Against Humanity," Loretto Earth Network News: Winter 2011.
Presentations
"“Ending the Flight School Assault on Our Communities," 2025.
"The Martinez Case and Our Evolutionary Predicament," Feb. 1, 2019. Presentation at Medical Symposium on the Health Effects of Oil and Gas Development in Colorado, Colorado State University.
"Four Pillars of Coercion," May 20, 2018. Presentation at Broomfield educational forum on fracking.
"Nature's Role in Sustainability," May 31, 2013. Presentation at Congress for New Urbanism, Salt Lake City, UT.
"Rights of Nature and Rights to Water," Feb. 7, 2012. Presentation at Downstream Neighbor Symposium, Denver, CO.
Our Team
