by Don Corrigan
The environmental group, Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) was last in St. Louis in 1996 when it held its 6th Annual Conference at Washington University. The conference included field trips to sites where lead, radiation and dioxin were being addressed.
There was much to learn about hazardous waste contamination in the St. Louis area, and there still is a lot to learn in the Gateway City. However, the 2026 SEJ Conference will be in Chicago and focus on Great Lakes issues.
Thirty years after the Gateway City event, SEJ Is now looking for new environmental communication members and for new program ideas for its Chicago conference.
SEJ membership is open to journalists, public information professionals, professors, students and staff at accredited colleges and universities. New members are welcome and the SEJ benefits for environmental writers are many.
Members help shape the annual conferences and receive perks including discounted registration rates, reduced awards entry fees, waived SEJ grant fees, mentorship opportunities, and access to insider tips and resources.
Learn more about eligibility and how to join or renew on SEJ’s Bylaws and Membership Policies page. SEJ2026 is on the horizon, and SEJ asks the U.S. environmental journalism community to share ideas, expertise and insights to shape the Chicago event.
The 35th annual conference in the Windy City is slated for April 15-18, 2026, and will be held at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Member-led proposals are at the heart of conference programming, and SEJ members can bring reporting insights and fresh perspectives to panel sessions and mini-workshops.
Session proposals align with one of the following SEJ beat tracks, each reflecting key priorities in environmental journalism and regional relevance.
• Agriculture & Food Systems
• Clean Energy, Renewables & Green Tech
• Climate, Science & Extreme Weather
• Conservation, Land & Indigenous Stewardship
• Water, Oceans & Great Lakes
• Public Health & Environmental Justice
SEJ Mission & Benefits
The Society of Environmental Journalists is North America’s leading non-profit organization for professional journalists covering environmental, climate, and energy issues. Its mission and goals are:
• To strengthen journalism that enhances public understanding of environmental and climate matters.
• To provide critical support, resources, and educational opportunities for journalists covering complex environmental stories.
• To offer such benefits as:
— Annual Conferences: Major events bringing together journalists, scientists, and experts for workshops, panels, and field trips.
— Fund for Environmental Journalism (FEJ): Offers grants to support in-depth environmental reporting projects.
— Training & Mentorship: Provides skill-building seminars, webinars. and mentoring programs.
— Networking & Resources: Offers member-exclusive lists, forums, and peer communication for sharing tips and information.
— Awards: Recognizing excellence in environmental and climate reporting.
— Advocacy: Supports freedom of information and right-to-know issues through initiatives like the FOI Task Force.
SEJ’s Membership includes more than 1,500 information professionals, reporters, editors, producers, academics, bloggers, and more from diverse media in North America and beyond.
(Note: EE writer Don Corrigan has been a Society of Environmental Journalists member since SEJ’s first conference in Boulder, Colorado in 1991 at the University of Colorado.)
Environmental Echo 