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Mission
Standing for Washington is dedicated to supporting legislation and citizen initiatives that support nature in Washington state. Our mission is to promote the idea that nature has inherent rights that should be protected and preserved, and that nature should be given legal standing to support those rights. That means anyone in the community can go to court, if necessary, to protect nature and ensure a healthy, thriving community for future generations.
Our story
The Standing for Washington PAC has officially dissolved after successfully running the Everett Initiative 24-03. We sincerely thank all our supporters and partners for their dedication throughout this journey. Looking ahead, the organizations behind the campaign are evolving to build a stronger foundation for continued impact. The state political committee is being replaced by two focused entities:
- Standing for Washington Action Fund (Standing for Washington), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on advocating for legislation and coordinating local ballot measures.
- Standing for Nature (formerly Rights of Nature Initiative), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public and empowering communities to use direct democracy for environmental protection.
Additionally, rather than maintaining a continuing committee, each city will now have its own local ballot measure committee. This approach allows for more targeted efforts at the local level while maintaining the capacity to drive statewide change. Together, these efforts ensure the movement can educate the public and effectively lead legislative and electoral campaigns for lasting environmental protection.
Our leadership
Abi Ludwig
Abi brings a unique combination of professional expertise and civic dedication to her political work. She spent a decade in public health research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she contributed to critical initiatives that inform public policy and community well-being. Her career also includes a successful tenure as a state employee at the University of Washington, where she developed and managed institutional IT systems, showcasing her leadership and adaptability in complex organizational settings.
During her twenty years in Seattle, Abi was deeply involved in civic activism, volunteering tirelessly on various city and state initiatives. She played a key role in advocating for the reform of outdated cannabis laws, demonstrating her ability to navigate challenging policy landscapes and unite diverse stakeholders.
Since relocating to Olympia in 2018, Abi has continued her commitment to community service, focusing on nature education, preservation, and local civic initiatives. With her rich professional background, grassroots advocacy experience, and passion for public service, Abi is well-equipped to drive meaningful change in the political sphere. She now enjoys balancing her work with the serenity of her property along the Deschutes River.
Rachel Kurtz-McAlaine
Rachel Kurtz-McAlaine is a licensed attorney living on Anderson Island in the south Puget Sound. Rachel graduated from the Evergreen State College in ’97 and the University of Washington School of Law in ’03, and spent most of her professional career working in national drug policy reform, corporate and regulatory cannabis law, and federal cannabis policy. She also owned and consulted various businesses in the cannabis and cannabis wellness industries.
After working extensively to create and navigate a highly disruptive industry, Rachel is now focused on bold initiatives to inspire humans to appreciate the profound connection they share with the earth.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys art, music, gardening, and walking her dogs in the various parks on the island. She assists her husband with his gourmet and functional mushroom business, Moontime Mushroom Co.