“Sports reporting is something that people don’t associate with environmental reporting, but they need at least a basic knowledge of environmental reporting to be able to give you a holistic view,” Priselac said.

Getting the full picture, she emphasized, also requires diverse perspectives. Reporters from underrepresented communities bring cultural competency, lived experience and trust to stories that might otherwise be overlooked.

“We need diverse perspectives in environmental reporting because how are you getting a full understanding of the issue or the climate solution when you're not getting the full idea of something?” Priselac said. “It's not just a social justice issue. It's an issue of having the fullest amount of facts and information to be able to fully understand what people are reporting on.”

SEJ2026 embodies this philosophy by creating a space for journalists across all beats — from climate and agriculture to public health, business and urban reporting — to learn, gather and share insights. The conference includes hands-on workshops, immersive field trips and sessions exploring the systems that sustain life, helping journalists deepen their environmental literacy while connecting with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Participants include freelancers, staff reporters, editors, academics, environmental advocates, nonprofit leaders, funders, policymakers and student journalists, ensuring a vibrant mix of experiences and perspectives.

As co-chair, Priselac will help guide the planning, content and execution of SEJ2026, sharing leadership with Melina Walling, agriculture and climate reporter at The Associated Press. Their work will ensure that the conference reflects the richness of the field, elevates underrepresented voices and equips journalists to report across disciplines and illuminate the interconnected systems that sustain our planet.