First Place
"In Defense of the Rat" by Sarah Gilman and J. B. MacKinnon for Hakai Magazine (Sept. 26, 2023)
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| Screenshot of first-place Feature Story, Small |
Team roles:
- J. B. MacKinnon: Text
- Sarah Gilman: Illustrations
Judges' comments: "From a centuries-old false belief to their unsung contribution to modern science, the author reexamines rats' role in the human world through solid reporting, good interviews and playful writing. The story not only gives readers a new perspective on a creature that most people have encountered in their lives but also delivers a very enjoyable read."
Second Place
"Crowding Out Cougars" by Liza Gross and Michael Kodas for Inside Climate News (Sept. 13, 2023)
Team roles:
- Liza Gross: Journalist
- Michael Kodas: Photographer
Judges' comments: "Journalist Liza Gross and photographer Michael Kodas offer a sympathetic overview of the challenges and benefits of conserving cougars in self-sustaining populations who live near previously uninhabited human lands. The Olympic Peninsula in Washington is home to the Olympic Cougar Project, which works with human residents with a low carnivore tolerance. Gross and Kodas mix history and personal interviews to explain the cougar depredation conflict between opponents and supporters of cougars; 'teaching fully grown humans how to live with cougars has indeed proven to be one of the project's biggest challenges.' Balancing perspectives from residents, Indigenous people (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe) and wildlife experts at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Gross writes a comprehensive review of the ecological value of majestic animals to the human population. Kodas captures beautiful images that integrate moral obligation and compassion into the equation of human population expansion. Wildlife experts and proponents offer cryptic, yet practical, advice to potential residents; ask realtors for 'welcome to cougar country' pamphlets and provide disclosures about living near carnivore habitats similar to warnings about relocating to homes in flood or fire zones."
Third Place
"Hollowed Out" by Quinn Glabicki for PublicSource (March 4, 2024)
Judges' comments: "For the rigorous reporting that holds corporate fossil fuel profiteers to account. While the health-fracking nexus is a somewhat familiar topic, the reporter's strong writing paints a memorable picture of how fracking-related air pollution alters locals' lives in West Virginia. The colorful multimedia package earns brownie points."
First Honorable Mention
"Catch-22 on the Baltic: The Twilight of Poland’s Coastal Fishermen" by Neil Arun, Antonina Chycka and Tadeusz Michrowski for Balkan Insight (Feb. 6, 2024)
Team roles:
- Tadeusz Michrowski: Journalist
- Antonina Chycka: Freelance photographer
- Neil Arun: Editor, Reporting Democracy Fellowship for Journalism Excellency
Judges' comments: "With solid research, good interviews and lively writing, Tadeusz Michrowski takes readers to Poland's Baltic coast, where a combination of regulatory, environmental and economic challenges is killing off small-scale fisheries. Michrowski does a nice job explaining the complex topic and making what could be a dry story a pleasure to read."
Second Honorable Mention
"A River in Flux" by Dado Galdieri, Daniel Grossman and Patrick Vanier for Science (Feb. 15, 2024)
Team roles:
- Daniel Grossman, Journalist
- Dado Galdieri Photojournalist
- Patrick Vanier, Cinematographer
Science magazine assembled a large group of editors and producers to produce the final product:
- Greg Miller, Story Editor
- Tim Appenzeller, News Editor
- Drew An-Pham, Graphics
- Cyra Master, Copy Editor
- Julia Cole, Copy Editor
- David Malakoff, International News Editor
- Hannah Knighton, Copy Editor
Judges' comments: "Stories about the Amazon often focus on its significance in curbing climate change, but Science's submission examines how a changing climate is also threatening wildlife and the people living in the rainforest. Their efforts shine through this deeply reported article."
Third Honorable Mention
"A Fabled Lake Returns, But Can Its People Do The Same?" by Aaron Gilbreath for Red Canary Magazine (July 21, 2023)
Judges' comments: "Award-winning journalist Aaron Gilbreath acknowledges that the resurgence of Tulare Lake has caused a media sensation. He provides tons of historical and scientific data to educate laypersons about the lake's return after 130 years and the dream of its original inhabitants to settle in the area again. In the midst of mainstream media hype, Gilbreath offers a refreshing angle. He gets the often overlooked perspectives of the Indigenous Tachi Yokut as they describe the impact of 'Pa'ashi' on their spiritual, traditional and cultural lifestyles. He highlights the resilience of the Yokut, a people described by white historians as a tribe, but actually comprised 50 or 60 separate communities with their own distinct territory, beliefs, customs and leaders. They included, but were not limited to, Wowole, the Tachi, the Chunut, Yokodo, Tulumne, Yowlumne, Wukchumne, Chukchansi, Kaweah, Koyeti, Wechikit, Nutúnutu and Chaushila. Self-described Yokochs (the people) believed the lake to be a living thing that provided food, clothing, shelter and water. Gilbreath skillfully diverts attention from what the mainstream considers the loss of materials (farmlands, roads, wells, electric lines, transformers and grand-scale agri-business) and focuses instead on the 'reclamation' of spiritual concepts and culture (dance, language, lifestyle) by Indigenous people of the area, stressing the importance of this cultural reclamation in enlightening the audience about the Indigenous perspective. Gilbreath advocates for the return of the original land owners and believes the 'Pa'ashi's return has to mean something.'"
The Society of Environmental Journalists' annual Awards for Reporting on the Environment honor the best environmental journalism in 10 categories, bringing recognition to the stories that are among the most important on the planet. Prizes are $500 for first-place winners and $250 for second-place winners in all categories. Plus, the Nina Mason Pulliam Award for the "best of the best" environmental reporting will award $10,000 to one entry selected from the first-place winners of SEJ's Awards for Reporting on the Environment. Sponsored by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, this prestigious award will be announced live on January 28 — please save the date and stay tuned for details.
SEJ's 2024 Esteemed Judges and Screeners
SEJ's 2024 Awards Committee
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