Reporting on Water:
A Training Workshop for Journalists

August 21-23, 2022

Toledo, Ohio

The Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources, in partnership with the Uproot Project, hosted a two-day, three-night program for journalists of color interested in learning about covering the environment. Priority wasgiven to early career journalists, as well as veteran journalists who have recently switched to the environment beat. Participating journalists stayed at Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University’s island campus on Lake Erie, while they learned about reporting on water from leading freshwater scientists and veteran environment journalists.

This program was aimed not only at getting reporters up-to-speed on the challenges facing our freshwater resources – from pollution, to climate change, to non-native species – but also at providing training for early career reporters on the do’s and don’t of covering the environment beat. The group spent time out in the field and in the lab, discussing the challenges of translating science for wider audiences and telling accurate and compelling stories about complicated issues.


participating journalists

itinerary

post-workshop stories


About IJNR

The mission of the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR) is to promote public dialogue about natural resource issues through programs that inform, empower and inspire better journalism. IJNR conducts expenses-paid, expedition-style training and professional development programs for journalists at all career stages and from all sorts and sizes of news outlets, ranging from newspapers and magazines to radio, television and online operations.

About the Uproot Project

The Uproot Project is a transformative network that serves as a resource for journalists of color who cover environmental issues, as well as young journalists of color who are interested in covering environmental issues. The network is dedicated to advancing the careers of journalists of color who have historically been underrepresented in environmental journalism, in turn imbuing the field with critical and fresh perspectives. The Uproot Project connects its member journalists with publications, offers trainings, and builds community as we navigate covering the environmental crises of our time.

This workshop made possible by the support of the Joyce Foundation.

IJNR maintains editorial independence and control in all of its programming and decision-making.