THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
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The Arizona Republic, or azcentral, is one of the largest USA TODAY newsrooms. With funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, I joined The Republic as an environmental reporter. On this beat, I investigated pressing environmental issues, such as the effects of the border wall on wildlife, water scarcity, uranium mining and wildfire mitigation. Alongside writing, I produced photos and videos and led our team's social media presence.
This was my first job after graduation and I had spent four years being told the journalism industry was cut-throat. When it came to The Republic's environmental team, nothing could be farther from the truth. I will always be in both debt and awe of Josh Susong, Shaun McKinnon, Ian James, Deb Krol and Erin Stone. Their unwavering kindness and willingness to share knowledge, forever changed my view of the industry. |
TOP STORIES
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As wildfires worsen, burn scars show the future of land recovery
Fueled by overzealous fire suppression, rising temperatures and a relentless drought, wildfires across Arizona have been sparking more frequently, burning at greater severity and scorching more land. The recovering burn scars from these wildfires tell the tale of forever changed forest ecosystems. Story I ✦ Story II ✦ Story III ✦ Story IV |
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Calls grow for undoing environmental damage of the border wall
Within the first few hours of the Biden Administration, construction on the U.S.-Mexico border wall came to a grinding halt, sparking demands for deconstruction. But with more than 450 miles already built, questions remain if taking the wall down will actually benefit the environment. Part I ✦ Part II ✦ Part III |
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'Good fires' gave forest managers a tool, climate change took it away
In the midst of yet another historic wildfire season in Arizona, firefighters lost a key tool to climate change: natural fire. These lightning-caused fires were once used to mitigate catastrophic disasters, but as climate change drives drought and drier seasons, the risk of working with fire is too high. |
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A renewed push to protect public lands in the Southwest
With millions of acres under federal management, public lands are among Arizona's frontline political issues. At the eclipse of the Trump Administration and the wake of Biden's presidency, the proposal of new policies divided politicians, tribes, environmentalists, ranchers and residents. Story I ✦ Story II ✦ Story III ✦ Video I ✦ Video II |
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Wasting disease outbreak imperil Arizona wildlife, hunting industry
Hunting is a million-dollar industry in Arizona, often praised for balancing with wildlife conservation. But the incurable chronic wasting disease, which has already infected herds in border states, could endanger both the industry and Arizona's beloved wildlife. Part I ✦ Part II ✦ Part III |
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Migratory 'snowbirds' adapt to warmer winters, upsetting ecosystems
As climate change warms winters in Arizona, conflicts between the state's migratory 'snowbirds' grow. Instead of continuing south, cormorants are nesting in Arizona longer, upsetting people who are trying to escape harsh winters back north but are now face-to-face with these birds. |
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Proposed 'glamping' development in Sedona sparks outcry
An out-of-state developer dreamed of an idyllic 'glamourous camping' at the base of Bear Mountain, sparking outcry from residents worried about wildfires and tribes concerned about cultural sites. Following the publication of Part I, the company in question withdrew its development proposal. Part I ✦ Part II |
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Ongoing drought causes 'unprecedented' juniper tree dieback
As the drought across the Southwest deepens, even Arizona's most drought-resistant tree species are beginning to dieback. Land managers and conservationists worry over the precedent being set by changing climates, which they believe will forever change the state's iconic landscapes. Video |
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Snake removal research hopes reduce human conflict, save snakes
The City of Phoenix's continued sprawl into the Sonora Desert is fueling human-snake conflicts, which often leave Arizona's unique reptiles dead or injured. Researchers are studying snake removal requests in attempt to reduce these interactions and thus save snakes. Video |
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Species delisting proposal sparks wildlife management controversy
Decades and millions of dollars have been spent on saving razorback suckers, a native Colorado River fish that has been constantly threatened by dams and invasive species. A recent proposal to delist endangered status of the species has conservationists concerned over the management of the fish's recovery. Video I ✦ Video II |
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