Michelle Nijhuis, a lapsed biologist, is a freelance journalist specializing in conservation and climate change. She is the author of "Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction [2]" and "The Science Writers' Essay Handbook: How to Craft Compelling True Stories in Any Medium [3]." More about Michelle [4].

 

"I've been an SEJ member for more than 20 years, and it's made my job easier in countless ways. Most importantly, it's given me a sense of community that's sustained me through two decades of upheaval in journalism."

- Michelle Nijhuis [4], Freelance Journalist

Here's how you can help

journalists like Michelle:

Give to SEJ Programs [5] to support essential training, resources, and convening, such as:

• SEJ Webinars like "All Life, Great and Small: Covering Biodiversity [6]"
• Annual Conference [7] events like "Birds, Conservation, Diversity and Inclusion" and "Ranching With Wolves: Can Humans and Predators Coexist?"
• SEJournal resources like "The Art of the Essay for Science and Environment Writers [8]" by Michelle Nijhuis

Give to SEJ's Fund for Environmental Journalism [5] to support small story grants, such as:

• "These Urchin Slayers Are Trying To Save California's Underwater 'Rainforest' [9]," Grist, by Sierra Garcia [10]
• "Beaver Believers: Native Americans Promote Resurgence of 'Nature's Engineers' [11]," The Guardian, by Lucy Sherriff [12]
• "L'Aire Protégée du Parc National des Trois-Baies, une Source de Biodiversité Négligée [13]," Le Nouvelliste, by Pharès Jerome [14]

Give to SEJ's Conference Diversity Travel Fellowships [15] to help cover the costs of registration, travel, lodging and other expenses of Diversity Fellowships. Here’s what past participants had to say [16]:

• "I wouldn't have been able to attend this conference without the support of the Diversity Fellowship, and I am eternally grateful to have this experience at a pivotal point in my early career."
• "I couldn't have attended the conference without the fellowship and I'm really grateful to SEJ and the sponsors for this opportunity. It gave me such a wonderful foundation for covering and reporting environmental stories."

Start a Facebook Fundraiser for SEJ: If you and your friends sign up to be a monthly donor to an eligible nonprofit on Facebook this giving season, then Meta may match a donation after the second payment is made.

• Meta will match up to $7 million of eligible donations. Matching began on November 15, 2022 and goes until December 31, 2022 — or until the $7 million match fund is spent. More info [17].
• Here's how to set up a Facebook Fundraiser [18].

Legacy giving: If you are ready to create a lasting legacy with SEJ, we recommend using FreeWill to create your will in 20 minutes or less — for free!

• Start your free will today [19].
• Have you already created a gift in your will or trust to SEJ? Fill out this form to let us know [20]!

 

 

>> Back to main Help SEJ Support Journalists page [21]