October News from IJNR

Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources

2008 Plans and the Mighty Challenge Grant!

IJNR Plans Four Expeditions for 2008

In 2008, IJNR plans to conduct a total of four learning expeditions for journalists. Two of them will be full-length programs, lasting about nine days each. The other two, which might be called “Mini-Institutes,” will explore fewer topics and will run for only three to five days each. Some program dates are still tentative, so prospective applicants are encouraged to check the IJNR Web site in December 2007 for possible updates.

2008 Energy Country Institute

Geography: Four Corners Area
(Northwest New Mexico, Southwest Colorado, Northeast Arizona)

Themes and Issues to Examine:

• Fossil Fuels Production: Trends in the American West
• Energy Development in Sensitive Wildlife Habitat
• Renewable Energy: Opportunities and Obstacles
• Climate and Energy: Science, Economics and Politics
• Fundamentals of Western Water Law
• Public-Lands Management: Reconciling Rival Interests
• Perspectives from Indian Country

2008 Great Waters Institute

Geography: Lake Erie Basin
(Parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York and the province of Ontario)

Themes and Issues to Examine:

• Factory-Scale Food Production: Problems and Opportunities
• Densely Populated Shorelines: Recovery and Restoration
• Energy for the Great Lakes Basin: Coal, Hydro, Wind and Nuclear
• Lake Levels, Surface Temperatures and Climate Change
• Great Lakes Fisheries: Understanding a Troubled Food Web
• Aquatic Invasive Species: Scientific Advances and Obstacles
• Water Diversions and the Great Lakes Compact

2008 Puget Sound Institute

Geography: Northwest Washington State
(Seattle-Tacoma to Port Angeles)

Themes and Issues to Examine:

• Climate and Rising Sea Levels: Implications for Northwest Coasts
• Fish and Marine Mammals: Surviving in Big Metropolitan Areas

2008 Willamette Valley Institute

Geography: Northwest Oregon
(Between the Cascades and the Coast Range)

Themes and Issues to Explore:

• Northwest Farming: Crops, Workers, Technologies and Markets
• Northwest Forests: Timber, Fire, Habitat and Climate
• Energy and Food Security: Challenges and Trade-offs

Challenge Campaign Gets Under Way

IJNR needs to raise $113,000 from individual donors by early August 2008 in order to receive a matching grant of $75,000 from the Challenge for Fund for Journalism, a group of four prominent U.S. foundations: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in Miami, the Ford Foundation in New York, the McCormick-Tribune Foundation in Chicago, and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation In Oklahoma City.

This is a big opportunity for us! So far, we have received $780 in contributions from IJNR Fellows and other people, but hey, we’re just getting started.

To help create some early momentum, Frank and Maggie have pledged to match, dollar for dollar, all donations received by Halloween (October 31, 2007) up to a maximum of $5,000.

The IRS recognizes IJNR as an independent, educational public charity. Donations are tax deductible. The IJNR Web site has detailed information on the challenge grant campaign and how to donate.

Send checks to: IJNR, 121 Hickory Street, Suite 2, Missoula, MT 59801

Or donate online by clicking the DonateNow button.

IJNR Annual Board Meeting, September 2007

To read the opening remarks from IJNR Chairman, Paul Rogers, click here (Word doc).