The Society of Environmental Journalists’ conference is taking place this week in Tempe, Arizona, and for the fifth time, a team of student journalists will be reporting live on key environmental issues. The #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative has grown more robust since its pilot in 2024, with 16 student journalist fellows working under the guidance of eight newsroom editors from The Arizona Republic. The fellows selected for the weeklong paid reporting program are upper-level undergraduates and graduate students from Arizona universities and affiliates.

• • The program is being supported by several organizations, including the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Arizona Media Association’s Local News Foundation, and the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism.
• • The student newsroom will produce stories, visuals, and social media content that will be published by the Republic at azcentral.com and distributed through newsletters.
• • The student journalists will also have access to open-source reporting tools and resources, allowing them to republish their work in other outlets.

Greg Burton, executive editor at The Arizona Republic, is one of the key drivers behind the program. Burton emphasizes the importance of investing in the next generation of climate journalists and in coverage that is vital to Arizona. “Never have the consequences of a warming planet been more evident. That means we need more journalists who are passionate about covering climate science,” explained Burton. “This student newsroom is our investment not only in the next generation of climate journalists but in coverage that is vital to Arizona, where extreme heat and water scarcity are profoundly altering the future.”
Burton’s team will be guiding the student journalists throughout the week, providing mentorship and support as they work on their stories and visuals. The student newsroom will be publishing their work on the Republic’s website and in its newsletters.

The student journalists will have access to open-source reporting tools and resources, allowing them to republish their work in other outlets. The Republic will also be publishing their stories and visuals on its website and in its newsletters. The #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative has grown in popularity since its pilot in 2024, with a growing number of student journalists and newsroom editors participating each year. The student newsroom will produce stories, visuals, and social media content that will be published by the Republic at azcentral.com and distributed through newsletters. The student journalists will also be able to track their progress and see how their work is being used and shared. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this program and to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of students and experienced journalists,” said one of the student journalists participating in the #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative. “I’m excited to cover the climate crisis and to share my findings with a wider audience,” another student journalist added.
The stories and visuals from the student newsroom will be available for other outlets and organizations to share and republish, with credit and links.

“Never have the consequences of a warming planet been more evident.

The #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative is an excellent example of how organizations and educational institutions can work together to support the next generation of environmental journalists. The student journalists participating in the program will be learning from experienced journalists and newsroom editors, and will gain hands-on experience in reporting and producing high-quality content.

Key Takeaways

* The #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative is a valuable program for student journalists, providing them with hands-on experience and access to resources and mentorship. * The program is being supported by several organizations, including the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Arizona Media Association’s Local News Foundation, and the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism. * The student journalists will be producing stories, visuals, and social media content that will be published by the Republic at azcentral.com and distributed through newsletters. * The student newsroom will have access to open-source reporting tools and resources, allowing them to republish their work in other outlets.

Examples of the Work Being Produced

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• • Climate change stories and visuals
• • Investigative reporting on environmental issues
• • Social media content and graphics

The student journalists participating in the #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative are producing a range of high-quality content, including climate change stories and visuals, investigative reporting on environmental issues, and social media content and graphics. These stories and visuals will be published by the Republic at azcentral.com and distributed through newsletters, providing an excellent example of how student journalists can contribute to high-quality environmental journalism.

Benefits of the Program

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1. • Provides hands-on experience for student journalists
2. • Offers access to resources and mentorship from experienced journalists and newsroom editors
3. • Allows students to develop their skills in reporting and producing high-quality content
4. • Supports the next generation of environmental journalists

The #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative provides several benefits for student journalists, including hands-on experience, access to resources and mentorship, the opportunity to develop their skills in reporting and producing high-quality content, and support for the next generation of environmental journalists. These benefits will help to equip the next generation of environmental journalists with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry, and will provide an excellent example of how organizations and educational institutions can work together to support the next generation of environmental journalists.

Conclusion

The #SEJ2025 LIVE initiative is an excellent example of how organizations and educational institutions can work together to support the next generation of environmental journalists. By providing hands-on experience and access to resources and mentorship, the program is helping to equip the next generation of environmental journalists with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry.