Publication Items

Seasonal Fishing Stories Reflect a Changing Environment [1]

As fishing season begins in many parts of the United States, climate change and pollution can make the sport a, well, can of worms. For the latest TipSheet, though, that means insights and stories for environmental journalists. A thumbnail on key issues, with story ideas and reporting resources. Plus, for those going to #SEJ2023 Boise, famed fishing spots.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [3]
Environmental Health [4]
Fish & Fisheries [5]
Journalism & Media [6]
Pollution [7]
Water & Oceans [8]
Wildlife [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [11]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Seasonal Fishing Stories Reflect a Changing Environment [1]
Is EV-Driven Demand for Lithium on Collision Course With Environment Concerns? [13]

The push to replace gas-guzzling vehicles with electric-powered alternatives is hitting significant speed bumps. The existing supply of lithium for batteries can’t keep up with demand, and new mining proposals often face opposition from area residents worried about local impacts. Radio reporter David Boraks has been covering one such conflict in North Carolina. He shares his insights and reporting tips.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [15]
Agriculture [16]
Air [17]
Biodiversity [18]
Climate Change [3]
Consumer [19]
Economy & Business [20]
Energy & Fuel [21]
Environmental Health [4]
Environmental Politics [22]
Government [23]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [24]
Natural Resources [25]
Policy [26]
Pollution [7]
Technology [27]
Transportation [28]
Water & Oceans [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
California [29]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [11]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [30]
International [31]
Asia [32]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Is EV-Driven Demand for Lithium on Collision Course With Environment Concerns? [13]
How Reporting Helped Reverse Collapse of Red Wolf Reintroduction Program [33]

If the government is already struggling to protect iconic creatures like the endangered red wolf from extinction in the wild, how will it manage with other threatened species? That concern is at the core of an Inside Story Q&A with journalist Jimmy Tobias, whose award-winning feature turned stacks of dry documents into the story of one wolf’s death and helped turn things around. Watch a brief video summary [34] from Tobias of what drove the collapse of the reintroduction program.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [30]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about How Reporting Helped Reverse Collapse of Red Wolf Reintroduction Program [33]
Florida Defamation Bills Could Signal Threat to First Amendment [36]

For journalists of all stripes, the central pillar of libel law protecting them from damaging defamation suits is Times v. Sullivan. And while at least a couple of Supreme Court justices have indicated an openness to reevaluating the decades-old decision, WatchDog Opinion warns that the real risk to defamation protections may come in the form of legislation, such as from states like Florida.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog [37]
Topics on the Beat:
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [24]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [30]
International [31]
Asia [32]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Florida Defamation Bills Could Signal Threat to First Amendment [36]
Latest TRI Data Can Charge Up Local Stories, Including on PFAS [38]

When it comes to a core data set that just keeps giving for environmental journalists, Reporter’s Toolbox points you to the Toxics Release Inventory. A new year of data has just been released, with much insight to be extracted. And the TRI now also includes PFAS chemicals for the first time. Here’s how to use it for your local stories.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [40]
Environmental Politics [22]
Government [23]
Health [41]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [24]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Latest TRI Data Can Charge Up Local Stories, Including on PFAS [38]
2023 Gathering Goes Big in Boise [42]

The Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference is back to Boise, two-and-a-half years after the first attempt to meet in the mountainous Northwestern state was sidetracked by the COVID pandemic. Co-chairs Tom Michael and Christy George outline the rich schedule of plenaries, panels, tours and other events that are drawing record interest to the April 19-23 program.

SEJ Publication Types:
SEJ News [43]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [16]
Biodiversity [18]
Climate Change [3]
Diversity [44]
Energy & Fuel [21]
Environmental Health [4]
Environmental Politics [22]
Fish & Fisheries [5]
Forests [45]
Government [23]
Journalism & Media [6]
Natural Resources [25]
Policy [26]
Water & Oceans [8]
Wildlife [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [46]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [11]
Northwest (OR WA) [47]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about 2023 Gathering Goes Big in Boise [42]
SEJournal News: Weekly Online Publication Seeks Volunteer Editors [48]

The SEJournal is opening its ranks to a new crew of volunteer co-editors. They will join the roster of talented co-editors to oversee the majority of the weekly’s numerous sections, and help shape key content for the longstanding independent publication of the Society of Environmental Journalists. The work is rewarding, the commitment small, the camaraderie great. Find out about the openings and how to join our team.

SEJ Publication Types:
SEJ News [43]
Topics on the Beat:
Journalism & Media [6]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
International [31]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about SEJournal News: Weekly Online Publication Seeks Volunteer Editors [48]
Bring Home Cyber Risks to Water Supply, in Wake of EPA Tightening [49]

With the federal government now requiring that states pay closer attention to cybersecurity risks in their regular audits of public drinking water systems, environmental journalists should be doing the same, suggests the latest TipSheet. Here’s how to gauge the cyber risk and to understand the current safe drinking water regulatory regime, plus story ideas and resources to bolster your local reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [40]
Consumer [19]
Government [23]
Health [41]
Infrastructure [50]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [24]
Technology [27]
Water & Oceans [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [30]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Bring Home Cyber Risks to Water Supply, in Wake of EPA Tightening [49]
Why the 2023 Farm Bill Will Actually Be an Environmental Story — and a Huge One [51]

A massive farm bill soon to emerge for debate in Congress will have enormous implications for the environment beat, affecting natural resources, environmental health and climate, not to mention food production and public health. Backgrounder lays out some of the key issues expected to be taken up in the twice-a-decade measure and provides resources for ongoing coverage.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [52]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [16]
Climate Change [3]
Environmental Health [4]
Environmental Justice [53]
Environmental Politics [22]
Food [54]
Forests [45]
Government [23]
Health [41]
Laws & Regulations [24]
Natural Resources [25]
Policy [26]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Why the 2023 Farm Bill Will Actually Be an Environmental Story — and a Huge One [51]
Coming Your Way by Rail Today — A Hazmat Rogues’ Gallery [55]

Environmental reporters can prepare for possible rail accidents involving hazardous materials — like the one that hit East Palestine, Ohio — by having a keener understanding of what hazmat may be regularly carried through their communities. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox guides you to helpful lists of dangerous substances while offering a rundown of nearly a dozen-and-a-half of the worst offenders and their risks.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [17]
Chemicals [40]
Disasters [56]
Health [41]
Journalism & Media [6]
Transportation [28]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [57]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Coming Your Way by Rail Today — A Hazmat Rogues’ Gallery [55]

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