The National Environmental Caucus Network
The National Environmental Caucus serves as a resource to connect and inform state legislators working on environmental solutions. Created by and for legislators, the nationwide network consists of over 1,400 state legislators from all 50 states and both major parties.
The Value of Joining the Network
To empower state legislators with the knowledge and network they need to protect, conserve, and improve the natural and human environment, support for legislators is focused on three areas:
Legislative Peer Network
Facilitating peer connections and learning between legislators from all 50 states, spanning both major parties, rural and urban districts, and longtime and newly elected legislators.
Convening & Connecting
Providing members with opportunities to expand their environmental knowledge through National Environmental Caucus events such as: regional events, immersive learning tours, the annual National Environmental Caucus National Forum, and online convenings.
Research & Education
Members have access to nationwide tracking of thousands of bills, an extensive Resource Library, and connections to experts in a wide variety of environmental issue areas.
What Members Say
“[The National Environmental Caucus] has been tremendously helpful in connecting me with other legislators in this space and offering resources and encouragement. It's wonderful to be connected with a community of people who care as much about environmental concerns as I do.”
Senator Lisa Cutter
Colorado
Why Join the National Environmental Caucus
In addition to acting as a peer network, the National Environmental Caucus acts as a conduit to connect legislators to a team of experts in a wide variety of environmental issues, including:
- Clean, affordable energy and transportation
- Land, water, and wildlife conservation
- Healthy human and natural environments
- Sustainable blue economies and resilient coasts
Issue-Specific Working Groups
National Environmental Caucus Working Groups provide lawmakers with monthly opportunities to learn from other state legislators and dive deeper into specific policy areas.
For legislators interested in working on issues impacting coastal communities and marine habitats
For legislators interested in increasing outdoor engagement, recreation, and equitable access to the outdoors
For legislators working to phase out single-use plastics and promote zero-waste practices
For legislators interested in reforming the use of pesticides and conserving pollinator species and their habitats
For legislators interested in protecting and increasing habitat connectivity through wildlife corridors and crossings
For legislators interested in reducing environmental injustices and building local, regional, and statewide resilience
For legislators interested in coordinating on policies that address the loss of nature
State Lead Positions
State Leads are the go-to members in each state who:
- Advise on the agenda for in-state events and National Forums
- Assist in engaging new legislators or those who have not engaged with National Environmental Caucus
- Encourage robust participation among their legislative colleagues
Serving a two-year term, State Leads support the National Environmental Caucus mission within their state to expand cross-state connections and learning.
Environmental Leadership Accelerator
National Environmental Caucus’ Environmental Leadership Accelerator is an invite-only opportunity for state legislators to learn from experts in the field and to collaborate with their peers. Each of the online courses consists of six weekly, hour-long sessions that expand state legislators’ knowledge in a distinct policy area.
Sessions are a mix of presentations, legislator engagement, and workshopping with a maximum of 20 legislators from a variety of states, ensuring a personalized experience.
Event Recaps
Throughout the year, the National Environmental Caucus hosts national and regional forums, immersive learning tours, digital convenings, and other events that expand lawmakers’ knowledge of environmental issues and connections to other legislators across the country. Review takeaways from recent events below.
2026 National Forum
NEC hosted its annual National Forum in Chicago, Illinois, from Thursday, July 23, to Saturday, July 25, 2026. The gathering brought together over 200 legislators from 44 states and territories.
2026 MRLC Forum Recap
State legislators from across seven states convened in Jackson, Mississippi, for the 2026 Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC) Forum, where they explored how to support one of the most economically and socially consequential waterways.
2026 Energy Affordability Leaders Summit
Join NEC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from December 6-9 for a convening of energy affordability leaders.
Subscribe to the National Environmental Caucus Newsletter
Stay up to date on upcoming events, opportunities to expand your network, and the latest environmental policy trends from across the U.S.
