Tag Archives: SEJ2024

Journalists hike urban wilderness of Wissahickon Valley Park

By Shealyn Paulis

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories coming out of a recent meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists in Philadelphia.

Ruffian Tittman of Friends of Wissahickon explains that the journalists touring Wissahickon Valley Park have arrived on opening day of trout season. Image: Shealyn Paulis

Nestled in the heart of an urban and busy city, Wissahickon Valley Park of Philadelphia provides a place for city dwellers to enjoy the sanctuary of nature.

A popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, historians and even wedding-goers, the park houses over 50 miles of trails and encompasses over 2,000 protected acres along a stretch of the Wissahickon Creek as it passes through northwest Philadelphia.

Some Society of Environmental Journalists members had the opportunity to explore the greenery during their recent annual conference. Continue reading →

Rethinking environmental journalism education

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By Shealyn Paulis

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories coming out of a recent meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists in Philadelphia.

Experts at the recent Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Philadelphia discussed environmental journalism education. Panelists included (left to right) moderator Bernardo Motta, assistant professor of journalism at Roger Williams University; Karen Coates, fellowship editor of Mongabay; Karla Mendes, fellow at (Brazil-based) Mongabay and equity and inclusion chair for the Society of Environmental Journalists Board of Directors; and Lisa Palmer, research professor of science communication at George Washington University. Attending virtually were panelists Laura Moorhead (top left of screen) and Andrea Wenzel (bottom). Image: Shealyn Paulis

Environmental journalists and educators face a changing media field and systemic barriers that make it difficult to improve the profession.

Experts at a recent Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Philadelphia addressed some of these challenges to reimagine a more sustainable system.

The panel, moderated by Bernardo Motta, the assistant professor of journalism at Roger Williams University, consisted of journalists and educators: Karen Coates, fellowship editor of Mongabay and Karla Mendes, a fellow at Mongabay and the equity and inclusion chair for the Society of Environmental Journalists Board of Directors and Lisa Palmer, research professor of science communication at George Washington University. Joining the conversation virtually were Laura Moorhead, associate professor of journalism at San Francisco State University and Andrea Wenzel, an associate professor at Temple University.

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Making obscure animals and ecosystems compelling characters

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By Ruth Thornton

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories coming out of a recent meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists in Philadelphia.

Four science journalists discussed framing compelling stories about obscure animals. From left: Benji Jones, Maya Kapoor, Douglas Main and Bethany Brookshire. Image: Ruth Thornton.

PHILADELPHIA – One of the many challenges of environmental journalism is making the general public care about animals that are not cute or ecosystems that are obscure.

A recent session of this year’s Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference taught journalists how to do just that.

Four science journalists discussed how they framed stories about lesser-known species including pigeons, the American chestnut tree and ice worms that live in glaciers.

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Covering watershed policy and identity

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By Kayla Nelsen

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories coming out of a recent meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists in Philadelphia.

Map of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basins that shows the artificial canal connection running through Illinois that has connected them since 1900. Wisconsin is part of both watersheds. Image: Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, Biological Invasions.

The Mississippi River Basin and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin supply freshwater and drain wastewater for millions of people.

Two of the largest watersheds in the U.S., they span state and political boundaries.

The expanse of the watersheds across communities challenge the connecting of differing interests and collective policy to local readers. A panel of reporters from the region recently discussed best practices for reporting on watersheds at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Philadelphia.

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