Environmental

Journalism

Boot Camp

Hoorah! Basic Training on the E-Beat

Want a leg up on covering the world's most important beat? Need to sharpen skills for analyzing data, interviewing scientists, understanding environmental policy, writing about complex environmental issues?

Reporters new to covering the environment and veterans looking to sharpen skills can get basic training in a one-two punch: MSU's EJ Boot Camp Oct. 12 to Oct. 15 followed by the Society of Environmental Journalists national conference Oct. 15 to Oct. 19.

Here’s how you can get a concentrated dose of environmental journalism education this fall in Roanoke, Va.:

Twenty-two print, broadcast, online, freelance journalists will be chosen in a competitive process. Boot campers pay a $195 fee and are responsible for their own transportation to and from Roanoke and for meals during the SEJ conference.

But what a deal!

This is what you get: Instruction, hotel and meals during the Oct. 12 to Oct. 15 boot camp; the pre-conference Covering Climate Change and Our Energy Future workshop; SEJ new membership or renewal; SEJ conference registration; hotel during the conference.

U.S. journalists of color can compete for full fellowships that also cover transportation to and from Roanoke.

Knight Center instructors, scientists, journalists and others will discuss computer-assisted reporting, interviewing, investigative techniques, ethics, current environmental issues. That’s followed by the SEJ national conference - the annual greatest concentration of the smartest reporters who cover the toughest beat. More on the SEJ conference can be found here.

Applications are available to download at the bottom of this page. Reporters new to covering the environment are strongly urged to apply. Veteran reporters are also considered. There is no application charge. Applications should be postmarked before July 28, 2008. Winners will be notified within two weeks after the deadline.

No push-ups required!!

For more information, contact Knight Center Associate Director David Poulson, poulson@msu.edu, (517) 432 5417.

Download an application form here.

Interested journalists of color applicants should use this form instead of the regular application form.