Seminar to focus on marine environmental issues facing coastal communities

 

NARRAGANSETT, RI – February 28, 2011 – The Metcalf Institute for Marine &
Environmental Reporting is offering a seminar, Coastal Impacts: a Marine
Science Seminar for Journalists, July 13-15, 2011, at the University of
Rhode Island in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

 

The three-day science seminar will provide an introduction to environmental
issues affecting coastal communities, including marine pollution, water
quality, and links between oceans and human health, with a focus on ethnic
news audiences.  The Metcalf program will feature leading marine and
environmental scientists and journalists, coastal field trips, and visits to
marine research labs.

 

The seminar is funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the
National Science Foundation, and the Chicago Tribune Foundation and will be
held at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, a
leading oceanographic research campus.

 

Journalists from all media who want to improve their skills in environmental
reporting and gain a thorough understanding of how scientific research is
conducted are invited to apply for the science seminar. Applicants should
have a minimum of two years experience as professional journalists and a
demonstrated interest in science reporting. Minority journalists and
journalists who work for ethnic news outlets are strongly encouraged to
apply.

 

The tuition free, 3-day seminar includes lodging, meals, and some travel
support. Metcalf Institute will provide a travel reimbursement of up to $200
for accepted participants. Newsrooms are asked to cover salaries while
participants are "on assignment" during the program. Detailed instructions
are noted on the application form.

 

Applications may be downloaded at www.metcalfinstitute.org and must be
postmarked by May 9, 2011.  For additional information email
fellowships@metcalfinstitute.org or call 401-874-6500.

 

The mission of the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting
is to promote clear and accurate reporting of scientific news and
environmental issues; to strengthen understanding and working relationships
between members of the scientific community and members of the news media;
and to provide opportunities for beginning journalists to learn, on both a
formal and an informal level, how to improve their skills in marine and
environmental reporting.

 

The Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting, based at the
University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, was
established in 1997 with funding from three media foundations, the Belo
Corporation, the Providence Journal Charitable Foundation and the Philip L.
Graham Fund, and from the Telaka Foundation. It is named for the late
Michael P. Metcalf, a visionary in journalism and publisher of The
Providence Journal Bulletin from 1979-1987. In addition to providing science
training for reporters and editors, Metcalf Institute administers The
Grantham Prize for Excellence in Reporting on the Environment. For more
information, contact Metcalf Institute at 401-874-6211 or visit us online at
www.metcalfinstitute.org.

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Contact:
Kat Anderson, Publicity Coordinator
Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting
URI Graduate School of Oceanography
Narragansett Bay Campus
218 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882

Email: kat@gso.uri.edu

Office: 401.874.6009
Fax: 401.874.6486

http://www.metcalfinstitute.org
http://www.granthamprize.org