For 35 years, the Society of Environmental Journalists has convened the largest gathering of environmental, climate, energy, agriculture, water and public-health reporters in North America. SEJ’s annual conference brings together journalists, scientists, community leaders, policymakers, researchers and nonprofit partners to deepen understanding of environmental issues and strengthen the quality, accuracy and reach of environmental journalism.

ABOUT SEJ2026

Each conference offers:

  • 🧰 Training workshops in writing, data, audio, multimedia and investigative reporting

  • 👥 Panels and plenaries with leading experts, community voices, policymakers and award-winning journalists

  • 🌐 Networking across newsrooms, geographies and beats

  • 🚌 Immersive reporting tours to environmental hotspots, infrastructure sites, farms, laboratories, frontline communities, conservation areas and more

  • 📰 Opportunities to strengthen local and national environmental coverage

  • 🏆 Awards to celebrate the best of environmental journalism with news leaders

  • Sessions begin early and run throughout the day; field tours require advance registration and depart promptly; and networking opportunities continue into the evenings. Whether you’re joining for the first time or returning after many years, SEJ’s annual conference is designed to help you build skills, deepen your reporting and connect with colleagues across the field.

  • Lucia Priselac and Melina Walling are co-chairs of the Society of Environmental Journalists 35th Annual Conference, taking place April 15-18 at the University of Illinois Chicago. 

    Lucia is the founding director of The Uproot Project, where she works with an advisory board to bring diverse voices to the forefront of environmental journalism. Prior to her role with The Uproot Project, Lucia was the special assistant at Grist, where she supported special projects and the CEO's office. Lucia was also the newsroom manager of Global Press Journal, where she assisted with the operation of independent news bureaus in over 40 international communities. Lucia holds a master's degree in international and European politics from the University of Edinburgh.

    Melina is an agriculture and climate reporter for The Associated Press, based in Chicago. She previously worked at The Arizona Republic as a general assignment and bioscience reporter, covering health, technology, agriculture, and the environment. Melina was the 2021 Mary Withers Rural Writing Fellow at Boyd’s Station in Harrison County, Kentucky, and has previously served as a tour leader at SEJ conferences. She graduated from Stanford University in 2021 with a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Environmental Communication.

    Read the welcome letter from 2026 Conference Co-Chairs Lucia Priselac and Melina Walling →

  • Since 1990, SEJ has partnered with universities across the U.S. to host annual conferences that reflect regional environmental issues and national reporting needs. The 2026 conference marks SEJ’s 35th anniversary year.

    Recent Hosts:

  • SEJ’s conferences are organized by and for journalists. To ensure sessions remain journalist-centered:

    • Moderators of panels, plenaries, and tours are encouraged to remind attendees of the conference’s journalistic mission.

    • Members of SEJ and other professional journalism organizations will be given priority when asking questions.

    These guidelines support fairness, professionalism and productive dialogue across all conference sessions.

  • SEJ is committed to a respectful, inclusive conference environment. Attendees are expected to follow SEJ’s anti-harassment, health & safety and cancellation policies.

    View policies →

ABOUT UIC & CHICAGO

Photo credit: UIC/Jim Young

As Chicago’s largest public research university — and one of the nation’s most diverse — the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) provides an ideal home for SEJ2026. UIC is a nationally recognized leader in:

  • Environmental and occupational health

  • Urban planning and sustainability

  • Climate and health equity research

  • Community-engaged scholarship

Chicago’s Great Lakes location offers unparalleled opportunities to explore intersections of climate change, water systems, agriculture, community health, industrial history and environmental justice.

From major research institutions to neighborhood-led environmental initiatives, the city offers rich terrain for reporting and learning.

ABOUT SEJ

The Society of Environmental Journalists is the only North American membership association dedicated to more and better coverage of environment-related issues. SEJ’s mission is to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance public understanding of environmental issues.

Founded in 1990 by a small group of award-winning journalists, SEJ now includes more than 1,500 members working across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and more than 40 other countries. SEJ supports journalists through:

  • Training programs and workshops

  • Annual and regional conferences

  • Reporting toolkits and online resources

  • Awards and recognition programs

  • Advocacy for press freedom and transparency

  • A dynamic network of peer support and collaboration

Learn more about SEJ →

Donate to support SEJ and help journalists tell the world’s most important stories →