The Great Lakes
Environmental Journalism Training Institute

June 7 - 11, 2005

The Program:

Tramp through one of the Earth's largest remaining forest ecosystems while learning how to better cover the environment during the eighth annual Great Lakes Environmental Journalism Training Institute.
 
Once again, U.S. and Canadian journalists who cover the environment in the Great Lakes region will meet with top environmental experts and veteran reporters as part of this popular training program. They'll learn about some of the hottest issues on their beat and receive training on how to cover them.
 
The 2005 institute will be held from June 7-11 in East Lansing, Mich. and in Wawa, Ontario. It is organized by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University.
 
This year's keynote speaker is Margaret Kriz, who covers energy and environmental issues for the Washington D.C.-based National Journal.
 
Kriz has journeyed below Nevada's Yucca Mountain to write about nuclear waste, covered logging in Alaskan rainforests and chronicled the politics of U.S. air pollution control policies.  She will give a rundown on President Bush's first-term impact on environmental policy and look at what to expect during his second term.
 
During part of the program, institute participants will fly to Canada's boreal forest, just north of Lake Superior, to learn of controversial efforts to preserve a forest that feeds North America's demand for wood products and shelters a third of the continent's bird species.

And, as always, they'll learn the latest about the diverse environmental demands on the Great Lakes region.
 
GLEJTI Focus:

During an intense 4 1/2-day workshop, 25 selected journalists will learn about some of the most important environmental issues facing the Great Lakes -- the largest body of fresh water in the world -- and its surroundings. Journalists receive training from some of the nation's top environmental journalists, scientists and environmental experts.

Fellowship winners learn about regional environmental issues as diverse as water and land use, exotic invaders, shoreline property rights, fish contaminants. The journalists also learn advanced skills in computer-assisted reporting.

But there is plenty of time to get outdoors to examine environmental issues up close. Field trips are as diverse as a walking tour for an intensive examination of an urban watershed and sailing Lake Huron aboard an 85-foot double-masted schooner.

And perhaps the greatest value of the program: Meeting like-minded colleagues to discuss the challenges of covering some of the most complex and important issues facing the region.

Eligibility:    

Participants must cover the environment in any of the eight Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin) or Ontario, Canada. The program is open to full-time journalists working in print and broadcast.
 
Download the GLEJTI application now and apply by April 15, 2005 for your chance at one of 25 fellowship spots. There is no cost to apply!

Once accepted as a GLEJTI fellow, participants pay a $95 registration fee and provide for transportation to and from the institute. The fellowship covers all room and board costs while attending the institute and provides for travel between East Lansing, Mich. and Wawa, Ontario.

This year's program is supported by the George Gund Foundation, the Canadian Forest Service, MSU's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the MSU Department of Journalism.

Questions?

View the 2005 GLEJTI Brochure for more information or contact us with any questions about the institute:

Knight Center Director
Jim Detjen
e-mail: detjen@msu.edu,
ph: (517) 353 9479

Assistant Director
Dave Poulson
e-mail: poulson@msu.edu
ph: (517) 432 5417

Administrative Assistant
Barb Miller
e-mail: mille384@msu.edu
ph: (517) 432 1415