2025 With NCEL: Expanding Impact & State Leadership

In 2025, NCEL entered a bold new chapter. Guided by our new 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, we expanded our impact with our network of more than 1,300 state legislators to catalyze policy solutions and uphold environmental protections during a year of shifting federal dynamics.

Over the past year, we hosted our largest National Forum yet, as well as more immersive learning opportunities for our members to see environmental solutions in action. We deepened partnerships across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to strengthen our offerings and impact. And we equipped lawmakers to leverage the full power of their office to drive environmental progress as federal action stalled.

Thank you to our members and partners for making 2025 a year of momentum, growth, and state-led solutions. The summary below highlights NCEL’s 2025 accomplishments, as well as key environmental trends from the state level.

– Dylan McDowell, CEO, NCEL

Jump to a Section: Events & Learning Experiences | NCEL Network & Impact | 2025 Legislative Trends | Looking Ahead to 2026

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Events & Learning Experiences

Throughout the year, NCEL hosted 48 events and state visits to provide state leaders with new peer connections, best practices, and immersive learning for environmental solutions.

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National Forum

In August, NCEL hosted its largest-ever National Forum in Boston, with over 170 legislators from 40 states and territories in attendance. Over the course of three days, lawmakers took part in sessions covering topics from grid modernization and environmental justice to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. This year’s Forum placed particular emphasis on how environmental challenges intersect with broader priorities like housing, affordability, and community resilience. During the Forum’s opening day, NCEL awarded six legislators from across the country for their outstanding contributions to environmental policy in their states.

• Learn more about the award recipients and 2025 Forum here.

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State Visits 

During the 2025 legislative sessions, NCEL staff traveled to 16 state capitals to meet with legislators on key issues and expand NCEL’s peer network. Throughout these visits, NCEL staff added new members to our network and connected with state lawmakers committed to safeguarding communities and the environment.

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Regional Events and Immersive Learning

Throughout 2025, NCEL expanded regional convenings and immersive learning opportunities to help our members see environmental solutions firsthand and build cross-state momentum.

• Issue-Specific Convenings: NCEL staff facilitated 18 issue-specific convenings this year, including the regional Building the Grid of the Future events, held in St. Paul, Boston, and Salt Lake City. Additionally, legislators from 16 states joined NCEL’s Plastics Learning Summit in Chicago to learn about solutions to plastic pollution, while legislators from four states joined us in New Orleans for the 2025 MRLC Forum to explore a range of policy solutions for a healthy watershed and resilient communities.

• Immersive Learning: We launched an expanded portfolio of immersive learning opportunities in 2025 to allow our members to see the local solutions, technologies, and partnerships advancing a sustained future. These included the New England Blue Economy Tour, the Bay Area Electrification Tour, and field tours with local experts in states such as Arizona and Illinois.

• NYC Climate Week: This year at New York City Climate Week, NCEL had our most robust set of offerings yet. We joined partners in hosting a climate happy hour as well as a panel on nature-based climate solutions, while supporting the launch of the Electric Innovation Initiative.

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Briefing & Webinars 

In 2025, NCEL hosted 24 webinars and virtual briefings to equip state legislators with solutions to federal rollbacks and other pressing issues. Topics ranged from endangered species protections and clean energy tax credits to emerging bipartisan policy areas such as food chemical safety and energy affordability.

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NCEL Network & Impact

With a network of more than 1,300 legislators in all 50 states working across 43 environmental issue areas, NCEL provided a wide range of opportunities for legislators to deepen their knowledge, connect with peers, and uphold environmental protections in 2025.

State Leads & Working Groups

NCEL continued to support our ongoing programs for members to lead and learn together. NCEL’s 39 State Leads across 39 states and territories played an integral role in assisting with in‑state events, identifying environmental champions, and amplifying NCEL’s resources. Our issue‑specific Working Groups convened legislators to share knowledge on topics ranging from plastic pollution to habitat connectivity. 

• Learn more about the NCEL State Leads and Working Groups, and how to get involved.

Environmental Leadership Accelerator

This fall, NCEL launched the Environmental Leadership Accelerator program — two virtual courses for select groups of lawmakers to build policy expertise in transportation decarbonization and climate risk management. Over six weekly sessions, cohorts of roughly 20 legislators learned from peers and experts, built lasting policy knowledge, and left prepared for the upcoming legislative sessions.

Sign-On Letters

NCEL organized and circulated six nationwide sign-on letters in 2025, with more than 415 legislators from 41 states and territories signing at least one. The sign-on letters called for federal and regional agencies to:

• Accelerate renewable energy deployment in the PJM region.
• Reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and advance habitat connectivity projects.
• Protect coastal and marine resources by halting new offshore drilling leases.
• Support low-income energy assistance by restoring LIHEAP federal staff.
• Uphold Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections.
• Withdraw proposed changes to the “Waters of the United States” rule.

New Resources

NCEL released nearly 20 new resources to keep legislators and stakeholders informed with timely, practical insights on environmental policy solutions. Some of our major 2025 publications include: 

• Blue Economy Briefing Book
• Building Support for Ambitious Climate Programs
• Data Centers Issue Brief
• Healthy Ocean & Coasts Briefing Book
• Lessons Learned in Crafting Endangered Species Policy
• State/Tribal Toolkit
• Urban Biodiversity Fact Sheet

Partnerships

In 2025, NCEL formed and strengthened partnerships with groups such as America the Beautiful for All Coalition, Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN), and Native Americans in Philanthropy. Some 2025 partnership highlights include:

• Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN): NCEL continued our partnership with OPLN to bring state lawmakers on three zero-waste learning trips in Montreal, Vancouver, and Vermont.
• Electric Innovation Initiative: We partnered with Electric Innovation Initiative to host the 2025 Bay Area Electrification Tour, which convened lawmakers from 18 states for site visits that showcased cutting-edge approaches to electrification and the clean energy transition.
• Model Climate Laws Initiative: In December, we formed an official partnership with the Model Climate Laws Initiative to collaborate on efforts that provide legislators with climate-focused educational opportunities and resources. 

NCEL in the News

NCEL’s network and initiatives were featured in over 55 articles across local, regional, and national outlets, including Context, CleanTechnica, Latitude Media, Stateline, Newsweek, the New York Times, Politico, and Utility Dive. 

New Strategic Plan

To expand our impact in the coming years, NCEL launched its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, charting a bold path to strengthen state environmental leadership across five core focus areas. Explore the new Strategic Plan.

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2025 Legislative Trends

In 2025, state legislators across the country advanced a wide range of environmental policies in response to federal rollbacks and new opportunities for innovation.

States stepped up to fill federal gaps by modernizing wildlife governance, diversifying climate funding, and holding polluters accountable. Some of the policy areas with the highest levels of bill passage included outdoor engagement (28 states), energy transmission (21 states), emerging energy technologies (16 states), habitat connectivity (12 states), and toxic chemical protections (10 states).

Across sectors, states demonstrated leadership by incorporating best practices from one another and enacting durable solutions to improve the health of communities, ecosystems, and the economy.

• Learn More: Explore NCEL’s 2025 Legislative Session Recap to learn more about state-level policy trends this year.

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Looking Ahead to 2026

Thank you to all the legislators and partners who made 2025 such a success! As the upcoming legislative session approaches, NCEL is prepared to build on the momentum from 2025. In 2026, we look forward to offering even more opportunities for legislators to deepen their expertise, foster collaboration, and ensure a healthy environment for all. Stay tuned in the new year for a preview of what we’ve identified as the trending policies for the new year.

• Learn More: Be sure to check out our Resource Center, the issues we work on, and our News & Events to stay informed on the latest policy trends from the states!

Support Our Work

As we reflect on the incredible progress of our network in 2025, we’re reminded that our work is made possible through the ongoing support of individuals like you. Your contributions ensure that NCEL can continue providing critical resources, organizing impactful events, and supporting legislators dedicated to advancing environmental solutions. Every donation helps strengthen our efforts to build a healthier, more sustainable future. We invite you to join us in making 2026 even more successful — please consider becoming one of our Sustaining Members with a monthly contribution of $15 or by making a one-time donation to support our vital work. Thank you for your continued partnership!