History and Founding Principles

American Tradition Institute (ATI) is a public policy research and educational foundation – a “think tank” – founded in 2009 to help lead the national discussion about environmental issues, including air and water quality and regulation, responsible land use, natural resource management, energy development, property rights, and free-market principles of stewardship.

American Tradition Institute utilizes a three-pronged strategy to advance responsible, economically sustainable environmental policy: Research, investigative journalism, and litigation, via our Environmental Law Center. Our combination of expert policy analysis, exposing truth, and redressing wrongs in court advances the cause of liberty, and will build a strong foundation for sensible environmental policy for future generations.

The time for ATI is now, before irreversible damage is done to America’s ability to economically compete – which may be the point for a significant part of the environmentalist movement. As Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore recently opined:

(Environmentalism today is) more about globalism and anti-capitalism than it is about science or ecology…

We do not have scientific proof that we are the cause of global warming….(The global warming movement is) a powerful convergence of interests, not only environmentalists but also scientists seeking grant money, media seeking headlines, universities seeking grants from major institutions, and foundations, environmental groups, (and) politicians wanting to make it look like they’re saving future generations.   All of these people have converged on this issue.  Even the scientific community has become politicized on the subject of climate change.  But there are many thousands of scientists, particularly in the earth sciences…who are not convinced that we have proof of (man made) climate change.”

Responsible environmental policy can be reduced to a simple principle: respect for others. Care for the environment is best manifested when individuals responsibly manage their personal property in a manner that does not infringe negatively upon the welfare of fellow citizens’ health, their economic and individual rights, or their property. (Read more about our Core Values and Commitment to Independence.

These principles are applied best when resources (land, other property and capital) remains in the possession of the private sector to the greatest degree possible, rather than under government control, because privately owned property is in general better cared for and protected than property owned or managed by government. Privately held resources are also able to be managed for best use, whether preservation, multiple use, or to provide the treasures needed to fuel human progress.

Throughout history, and as it still stands today, environmental health is more likely to be found in societies where individuals are free, able to own property, and have the liberty to pursue economic prosperity in a capitalist system founded on the principles of a democratic republic.

ATI’s staff fulfills our mission by providing cutting-edge, valid research and litigation support on essential environmental policy issues and packaging, presenting and promoting these findings to lawmakers and agencies and their staff, traditional and New Media outlets, policy and academic institutions, and the public at large. Contact us about speaking at your event, committee hearing, or policy panel.

Staff & Board

American Tradition Institute is an independent, 501(c)3 foundation, governed by an independent Board of Directors . ATI accepts no government grants, and our financial backing has to date primarily derived from a broad and growing base of grassroots contributors. Your financial support – no matter how large or small, whether individual or corporate – is critical to our success, and is always fully tax deductible under IRS law. Click here to become a part of our family – donate today!