A small town in Maine has used an unusual tactic to stop exploitation of its natural water source: residents voted to declare that nature has legal rights. Poland Spring, a bottled water subsidiary of Nestlé, has tried in recent years to gain access to underground water supplies in the small town of Shapleigh, which ignited fierce opposition from many locals. In response to Poland Spring gaining permission from state environmental officials to drill test wells in the area, Shapleigh residents overwhelmingly passed an ordinance granting legal rights to the town’s natural assets, including the aquifer, so it could sue (with the help of some human legal assistance) the company in civil court. Shapleigh is now one of about a dozen American towns to make such a bold legal move. Proponents declare that the designation is not as odd as it seems, considering that other non-human entities—such as corporations—already have the right to file lawsuits.