Thank You for the Work You Do — and for Letting Me Serve

SEJ President’s Report: Thank You for the Work You Do — and for Letting Me Serve

 

Dear SEJ Community,

As many of you know, SEJ’s officer elections take place this weekend. With that, my one-year term as board president comes to a close. I’ll remain on the board, but I wanted to take a moment before we turn the page to reflect on what we’ve done together this past year and where we’re headed.

First and most importantly: none of this work happened alone. Everything we accomplished was done in close partnership with a deeply engaged board, member volunteers and our executive director, Aparna Mukherjee. I’m grateful for their leadership, care and collaboration.

 

Meeting journalists where they are

This is a difficult time to be a journalist — especially an environmental journalist. Editorial budgets continue to shrink and full-time positions have become scarce. Freelancers carry more risk with fewer protections. At the same time, we’re working in a political environment marked by rollbacks of environmental safeguards, cuts to scientific research, pressure on scientists to stay silent and open hostility toward press freedom.

Against that backdrop, SEJ has been changing — intentionally — to better support journalists as the profession itself changes.

One of the most consequential steps we took this year was becoming more freelancer-forward. Freelancers now make up more than half of our membership, and we updated our membership criteria to reflect how journalism careers actually function today. Journalists who combine reporting with storytelling for environmental nonprofits are now eligible for membership, as long as journalism is their primary occupation. 

Staffers at outlets linked to advocacy organizations can be active members when those publications are editorially independent. We also expanded our student category to include anyone pursuing journalism training, not only those enrolled in academic programs.

These changes came from listening to members, and they’re already shaping what comes next. In the year ahead, SEJ plans to deepen freelancer-focused support, including expanding access to legal resources and partnerships that help independent journalists better understand their rights and navigate risk.

 

Donate to SEJ

In this challenging political climate, we’re here for the journalists serving the public. Your support helps ensure this community can continue showing up. If you’re able, we invite you to stand with SEJ members by making a gift today.

 

Representation, care and community

Last year also marked an important moment within SEJ itself. For the first time, the organization was led by two women of color — Aparna and me. That matters because communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental pollution, and environmental journalism is strongest when it reflects those realities and perspectives.

That commitment showed up in our work. SEJ published ”Behind the Byline: Voices from Environmental Journalism,” a Green 2.0 report examining the experiences of environmental journalists of color covering climate, energy and environmental issues. Our collaboration with the Uproot Project continued to grow, powered by young journalists. And last year’s conference in Tempe, co-chaired by Arizona Republic Indigenous affairs reporter Debra Krol (with University of Arizona professor Kendal Blust and Tucson Sentinel publisher Dylan Smith), reminded us of the responsibility environmental journalists carry —and the long lineage of storytellers who came before us.

Throughout the year, SEJ also leaned into the idea that journalism is care. Climate grief is real, especially for those who devote their lives to covering the crisis. Supporting journalists means recognizing the human toll of this work, not just offering skills and training.

 

Connection beyond the annual conference

We also strengthened SEJ’s role as a connector. Over the past year, we partnered with organizations, including the Maynard Institute, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Online News Association and others. Convening with the Committee to Protect Journalists during Climate Week in New York helped point the way toward what’s next: more regional gatherings that meet members where they are, provide access to resources and reduce the cost barriers of participation.

 

Looking ahead to Chicago

All of this comes into focus in April, when we gather in Chicago for our 35th anniversary conference — our first time bringing SEJ’s annual gathering to the city. Hosted at the University of Illinois Chicago by the Center for Extreme Conditions and Health Excellence (CECHE), the conference will center communities on the front lines of environmental harm, with attention to the Great Lakes, food and agricultural systems and the intersection of climate and public health.

We’re also building a stronger pipeline for the future of environmental journalism, with a robust exhibitor hall, graduate school participation and new opportunities for connection. I’m deeply grateful to our co-chairs, Lucia Priselac of Grist’s Uproot Project and Associated Press climate desk reporter Melina Walling, for shaping a conference that reflects where our field is and where it needs to go.

 

A personal note

I love covering the environment. When I first found SEJ, it felt like a natural home. Through a fellowship, then board service and ultimately this role, SEJ has shaped my career and helped me grow as a journalist and as a leader. Stepping into this role during a period of real change — for the organization and for our field — has been challenging, meaningful and deeply rewarding.

As we prepare to welcome new officers this weekend, I’m confident in SEJ’s future. This is a strong board, a committed staff and a resilient community of journalists committed to essential work.

Thank you for being part of this community — and for everything you do.

Halle Parker
Outgoing Board President
Society of Environmental Journalists