Good interviewing skills are especially important for environment reporters.  Like other reporters, environment reporters  deal with bureaucrats, politicians and the public. But they also have to carefully and accurately ferret information from scientists and other experts.
The best tip: Never leave an interview confused. Ask questions until you understand – even if your subject becomes anxious or belligerent.
Of course, it’s better if they’re relaxed and helpful. This material discusses the interaction of journalists and scientists, and offers tips on putting sources at ease and getting what you need from them.

• Tip sheet for interviewing scientists and others
• How do you get people to open up?
• A good example of bad interviewing
• Scientists and Journalists: Why can’t we get along?
• A scientist’s perspective on public communication
• Interviewing scientists