Our Programs

Since 1995, IJNR has been providing top-quality training programs for environment and natural resource journalists throughout North America. These include week-long institutes, shorter workshops, reporting grants, training and mentoring.

All of our programs are designed for reporters and editors who aspire to produce deeper, more explanatory news coverage of issues such as water quality, quantity, and use, climate change, urban development, environmental racism, land use, energy exploration and consumption, wildlife, agriculture, wildfire, fisheries, forestry, and public health. Our experiential learning model gives journalists an opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of the environment, economic and cultural landscapes underlying the most contentious natural resource issues of our time. In turn, the increased accuracy, depth and perspective in news coverage generated by these journalists help to promote greater public awareness, better-informed civic discourse, expanded citizen engagement, and more responsible decision-making. 

While multi-day, immersion-style programs in the field have always been our primary focus, we’ve expanded our offerings in recent years to include additional resources and opportunities in an effort to support and educate more journalists.



How We’re Funded

Funding for IJNR programs comes from a broad spectrum of charitable foundations, conservation and environment groups, state and federal government agencies, news-media groups, natural-resource companies and trade associations, as well as individual donors. Feel free to review a list of our funders.

Diversity & Equity

IJNR is committed to amplifying the voices of underrepresented people. We believe that a diversity of perspectives — racial, ethnic, economic, geographic, gender, and cultural — is imperative to understanding the world. We work to empower journalists from minority and marginalized communities, and strive for equity in the content and context of all our programming. Please read more here.

One of the very best experiences of my life, professionally and personally. If there were a Pulitzer Prize for what you do, you guys would win it easily.
— Gary Wisby, Chicago Sun Times

Where We've Been


What We've Achieved

  • Conducted more than 100 programs throughout North America since 1995

  • Helped more than 1,200 journalists gain a better understanding of complex natural resources issues

  • Our alumni represent more than 350 different news outlets around the world

  • Institute-inspired stories produced by participating journalists have reached hundreds of millions of readers, listeners and viewers.

  • Introduced thousands of expert speakers - from scientists to policymakers to farmers, fishermen, and miners - to the journalists tasked with telling their stories

  • Helped hundreds of journalists hone their craft and become better storytellers

  • Encouraged thoughtful, balanced conversation among dissenting voices about some of the most contentious natural resource issues of our time

I’ve never left a workshop feeling so transformed... I am so grateful for the experience, the organizers, the journalists, and the opportunity to learn and listen to the speakers’ stories.
— Caitlin Looby, Great Lakes Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel