Learning about forest impacts of climate change in Alaska.
Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism teaches student and professional journalists how to better report on the world’s most important beat. The East Lansing, Mich., center was founded in 1994 when the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation created the nation’s first endowed chair in environmental journalism within the MSU School of Journalism.
The program serves undergraduate and graduate students and professional reporters with specialized training. Students learn from environmental experts and journalists and report for professional award-winning publications and broadcast outlets.
Under the guidance of expert faculty they experiment with new ways of explaining complex environmental issues while maintaining traditional values of fairness and accuracy.
Inside the control room of a coal-fired power plant.
Students who study with the center produce and publish professional level journalism, gaining valuable experience and material for building resumes.
The center also organizes and teaches workshops in the U.S. and abroad to help professional reporters improve their coverage of the environment and to help scientists explain their research to the public. It conducts research to advance environmental journalism.