The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is a membership organization for working journalists. The mission of the SEJ is to advance public understanding of environmental issues by improving the quality, accuracy, and visibility of environmental reporting. The SEJ's 18th annual conference was held Oct 15-19 at the Hotel Roanoke and was hosted by Virginia Tech (VT), with tours and concurrent sessions focused on energy, climate and coal.
Conference events included:
Opening Plenary: Old King Coal & His Role in America's Future
Translating Data into News Computer Lab
Cutting Down Mountains for Coal - Day Tour
Nuclear Power, from Ore to Volts
Old River, New Challenge - New River
Working media representatives from around the region hosted many of the activities and tours. As with most conferences there were awards and recognition ceremonies. This included Tim Thornton of The Roanoke Times receiving 1st place for Outstanding Small Market Reporting, Print - Reporting on the Environment.
Living in Southwest Virginia, coal issues are not remote physically or economically, as detailed in another Thornton series on mountain top removal. The AT and Blue Ridge Parkway are not simply picturesque places in a magazine. They are part of our own backyard for us to enjoy and protect -- a piece of our history and cultural heritage. Too often, perceived short-term economic benefits trump long-term environmental assets. Kudos to those who enhance our understanding of these issues, and to a local guy who "done good" again.