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Reporter's Toolbox

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Reporter's Toolbox is a regular column focused on the world of data journalism, with an emphasis on data tools, techniques and database resources that journalists can use to improve their environmental reporting.

For questions and comments, or to suggest future Reporter's Toolboxes, email Toolbox Editor Joseph A. Davis at sejournaleditor@sej.org.

Journalists can receive Reporter's Toolbox free by subscribing to the SEJournal Online, the digital news magazine of the Society of Environmental Journalists. Subscribe to the e-newsletter here.

Public

September 4, 2019

  • Tracking Local Land & Water Conservation Fund Sites

    Permanent funding could soon be in store for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal program that buys local land and water conservation areas. That means local stories about nearby recreation areas may abound. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox explains more, and points to databases and other resources to help locate those projects.

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August 7, 2019

  • Finding Record Temps for Summer Heat

    For environmental journalists covering this summer’s record-high temperatures, finding accurate data on local temperature extremes is key. Our latest Reporter’s Toolbox helps you locate the source of local data via the National Weather Service, then walks you through how to pinpoint your area’s numbers for high temperatures and for heat-related extremes.

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July 10, 2019

June 19, 2019

  • Database Helps Track PFAS Drinking Water Contamination

    Millions of people across the United States are believed to be drinking PFAS-contaminated water. And a growing database could prove an invaluable resource for environmental journalists trying to get a handle on that public health risk. Our latest biweekly Reporter’s Toolbox, recently refocused on data journalism tools and techniques, explains how to tap the expanding PFAS data.

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June 5, 2019

  • FED Tool Tracks Pollution on Federal Lands

    A revamped Reporter’s Toolbox begins today with a new focus on data resources for environmental journalists. The now biweekly column starts with a look at a massive database designed for federal land managers that reporters can use to scan dozens of pollution data sets about air quality and more in parks, forests and other federal lands.

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May 30, 2017

  • Using Social Media for Storytelling

    Find ways to enhance your digital storytelling with the first in a series of Reporter's Toolbox columns that look at the new generation of quick-to-learn, easy-to-use techniques. This week, we look at powerful (and free) tools found on some of the biggest social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. 

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April 25, 2017

  • Data-Driven Journalism Delivers … Mostly

    Make sure data-driven reporting fulfills its potential with your environmental coverage. This extensive ToolBox looks at the broader trends in the burgeoning field, then zeros in on best uses for data journalism, spotlights great examples, and shares the resources, reading and helpful sites to get you on your way.

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February 21, 2017

  • Toxics Database a Key Tool for Environmental Journalists

    The Toxics Release Inventory has long been a vital reporting tool, and now there's a new edition of the database, issued last month by the outgoing Obama administration. Reporter's Toolbox walks you through how to smartly mine TRI for stories, whether you're a newbie or a veteran. Plus, TRI caveats.

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January 24, 2017

  • Getting Started on the Sustainable Ag Beat

    There's a growing movement toward food production that factors in not only profitability, but environmental health and social equity as well. Our latest Reporter's Toolbox gets you started with some basic resources on the sustainable agriculture beat —who's doing research, finding local resources, tracking the chatter and more.

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November 22, 2016

  • Data Mining Made Easy — A Primer

    With newsrooms well down the digital path, data journalism is increasingly becoming a standard toolset reporters must master. Our latest Reporter's Toolbox is a four-step primer designed to help you use readily available tools to collect, clean up and analyze data, then use it to tell your stories. Image: © Clipart.com

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SEJournal Online is the digital news magazine of the Society of Environmental Journalists. Learn more about SEJournal Online, including submission, subscription and advertising information.