By Eric Freedman
Ask natural scientists why small parks matter and you’ll hear about habitats, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and buffer zones between developments. Ask the same question to social scientists and you’ll hear about maintaining human connections with nature, centers of community concern, neighborhood identity and healthy outdoor activities.
Small parks can even serve a public policy purpose as a political rallying point. That happened last

year in Turkey when government plans to develop 9-acre Taksim Gezi Park – one of Istanbul’s smallest parks and among the few remaining green spaces in the city’s Beyoğlu district– triggered sit-ins and national demonstrations.
From a humanist as well as scientific perspective, poet-environmental activist Wendell Berry has written that we need not cherish just the great public wildernesses” but small ones as well.
But ask my 4-year-old grandson why small parks matter and the answer is simpler: fun.
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By Eric Freedman
When journalists report on environmental issues, our stories and photos usually concern natural resources – lakes, forests, oil, oceans.
Or things we have built – cities, power plants, dams, bridges.
Or natural disasters – tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes.
Or mega-issues – alternative energy, air quality, climate change.
Unfortunately, we often overlook interesting and important stories that highlight the cross-over between culture and environment.
Here’s some information about two programs – one international, one in Michigan – that recognize that cross-over, that intersection of people and nature by highlighting, honoring and protecting cultural heritages that, in many cases, connect with the environment.
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By Eric Freedman
It’s a crisp late autumn morning in Bishkek as I write this. I’m sitting on a park bench within sight of the White House, the center of Kyrgyzstan’s national government. It’s a sunny Sunday, a bit before noon, and I can see the reflection of yellow leaves—soon to fall—on my iPad screen. A few people are strolling through the park now, although later in the day young lovers and would-be lovers will occupy these benches.

In the distance, there’s already snow visible on the nearby Ala-Too range of the Tian Shan Mountains.
The roses, a summertime pride of Bishkek’s parks, are dead, the bushes cut back and awaiting clean-up. The marigolds, too, are dead but the cold-damaged mums still hang on.
 
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By Eric Freedman
As the MSU Journalism School expands its portfolio of environmental journalism courses, we’re excited about a trio of spring 2014 offerings.
Whether your career or personal focus is journalism and communications, science, health, public policy or business, these courses will build your communication and research skills, as well as your knowledge and understanding of some of the most pressing and compelling issues of today and the future. All three courses are open to undergrads and master’s students regardless of major:
JRN 472/872: Evironmental Reporting Lab
Skulls & Crossbones—Reporting on Hazardous Waste, Nuclear Radiation, Toxic Chemicals and Invasive Species in the Great Lakes
Cover hot-button issues including leaking dump sites, nuclear power plants, pesticide run-off, alien animals and plants, air and water pollution, environmental health hazards, animal diseases and more for Great Lakes Echo, our online environmental news service. Opportunities available for text, photo, video, audio and social media reporting
3 credits: Tuesday & Thursday 4:10-5:30 p.m.
To waive prerequisites, contact Eric Freedman (freedma5@msu.edu, 355-4729)
JRN 473/873: Environmental Reporting Seminar
No Respect for the Boundaries—International Comparisons of Media Coverage of Environmental and Health Issues
Review and analyze some of the major environmental and health issues around the world in recent times, such as climate change, ozone layer hole, hydraulic fracturing, nuclear energy, GMOs, cancer, AIDS and SARS. Learn to apply a comparative cross-national perspective based on differences in culture, values and media systems.
3 credits: Thursday 12:40- 3:30 p.m.
If you have questions, contact Bruno Takahashi (btakahas@msu.edu, 432-2454)
JRN 492/892: Special Topics
Health & Science Writing: Unravel the Mysteries of the Universe
Science and health issues are too important to leave to scientists and policy wonks. Learn to explain fascinating issues that are important to the public. We’ll explore writing venues as diverse as magazines, blogs, brochures, museums, newspapers, broadcast scripts and planetariums.
3 credits: Monday 6-8:50 p.m.
If you have questions, contact Dave Poulson (poulsondavid@gmail.com, 432-5417)
Professionals and students at other colleges and universities are invited as well through MSU’s Lifelong Education program.
Finally, the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism welcomes your suggestions for future courses.