The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a prominent United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit international environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the planet's wildlife, wild places, and natural resources. Founded on January 1, 1970, by New York-based lawyer John H. Adams and other litigators in opposition to a proposed hydroelectric power plant on the Hudson River, NRDC has grown into one of the nation's most effective environmental action groups. With a membership of over 1.3 million members and online activists, NRDC employs law, science, and grassroots support to shape critical environmental policies worldwide, ensure their enforcement, and hold polluters accountable. The organization focuses on key issues such as climate change, pollution control, conservation, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture, operating through litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. NRDC maintains its headquarters in New York City and has additional offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Bozeman (Montana), as well as international locations in India and Beijing, enabling a global reach in its advocacy efforts. Over its more than 50 years of operation, NRDC has been involved in landmark legal battles and campaigns addressing air and water quality, toxic chemicals, wildlife protection, and ocean conservation. It also engages in political activities through affiliated entities like the NRDC Center for Campaigns and Organizing and the super PAC NRDC Action Votes, which support candidates and initiatives aligned with environmental protection goals. Despite its achievements, NRDC has faced legal challenges, such as disputes with organizations like the American Enterprise Institute, highlighting its role in contentious environmental debates. Financially robust, NRDC reported significant revenues and expenses in recent years, supporting its extensive staff of scientists, lawyers, and policy experts. The organization continues to adapt to emerging threats like climate crises and biodiversity loss, emphasizing collaborative international efforts while maintaining a strong U.S.-centric focus on federal and state policy influence.