The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com will create a Louisiana Coastal Reporting Team in early 2017, made possible in part through a major grant from SEJ's Fund for Environmental Journalism. The new team will be co-led by longtime SEJ member and award-winning environment reporter Mark Schleifstein. A national search is under way for two additional environmental journalists to work full-time on the Team.

Drought, flooding, water pollution, road conditions, shipping, climate change, even recreational activities like skiing, skating and ice-fishing — these are all potential stories around the white stuff, some with big environmental consequences. This week's TipSheet offers resources for local coverage of ice and snow.

A look at major challenges encountered by teachers of environmental journalism found many: Fluctuating support from administrations and students, advocacy concerns, balancing technology and storytelling, and addressing dim career prospects. Insights — and solutions — from the new EJ Academy column.

The SEJ has voiced concerns to the U.S. government over an incident in which a Canadian photojournalist en route to cover the Dakota Access Pipeline protests was searched at the U.S. border, then prevented entering. The latest WatchDog TipSheet outlines the free speech implications, including for U.S. reporters.