Society of Environmental Journalists Celebrates 30 Years

Front row, left to right: Kevin Carmody, Sarah Thurin Rollin, Bruce Ritchie, Beth Parke, Marla Cone, JoAnn Valenti Center row, left to right: Mike Mansur, Don Corrigan, David Ropeik, Peter Fairley, Kathy Sagan, ID missing, Tom Meersman, ID missing, ID missing, Julie Edelman, Angela Swafford Back row, left to right: ID missing, Jay Letto, Chris Bowman, George Homsey, Russ Clemings, Gary Lee, Emilia Askari, Chris Rigel (now Bruggers), Gary Polakovic, Jim Bruggers, Noel Grove (Photo: SEJ)

Environmental Echo applauds the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) on the organization’s 30 years of advocating for nature, ecology and the environment.

EE’s Don Corrigan was in Boulder, Colorado, with SEJ when the organization debated its vision, mission and objectives. He has attended its annual conventions, which always are highlighted by field trips and a week-long intensive foray into nature to explore vital issues. He has been active with SEJ’s college teaching committees on environmental teaching and coursework. (Corrigan is pictured in the middle row – second from left.)

SEJ advocate Corrigan has visited areas of California impacted by wildfires, areas of Oklahoma shaken by the quakes caused by fracking, the islands of Chesapeake Bay under threat from rising seas and climate change, the federal lands of Montana and Wyoming suffering from defunding and global warming. So, how long will we be able to call Glacier National Park by that name as the glaciers disappear in Montana?

SEJ covers so many issues and is so supportive of those trying to find answers to what is happening to nature and the environment.

Included in this article is a listing of projects recently funded by SEJ. Projects range from toxic water pollution, to the effects of mining in fragile areas, to the effects of social media selfies on public lands and national parks.

SEJ provides critical support to journalists of all media in their efforts to cover complex issues of the environment responsibly. SEJ addresses its mission and vision through effective programs designed by and for journalists who produce environmental coverage. Benefits and opportunities of programs and membership will be extended to journalists on varied beats, to students and all those who will be expanding and defining the field in years to come.

SEJ is constantly developing new initiatives to:

• educate on emerging issues and beat basics;
• protect freedom of information on environment-related issues;
• build bridges between scientists and journalists;
• foster peer communication and networks of credible sources;
• provide recognition of excellence and support for media projects; and
• provide vision and leadership for the field through creative projects and strategic partnerships.

Additional information from SEJ:

The Society of Environmental Journalists’ Fund for Environmental Journalism has awarded $43,281 for 14 new story projects selected through the Winter 2019-2020 round of competition for stories about public lands in the United States. More than 70 percent of the funds were awarded to story projects that focus on communities and perspectives that have traditionally been underrepresented in coverage of public lands.

Find more information about the SEJ grants and mission HERE.