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. |
STORIES AND ARTICLES
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As wildfires worsen, burn scars show the future of land recovery
Fueled by overzealous fire suppression, drier summers, rising temperatures and a relentless drought, wildfires across Arizona and the Southwest have been sparking more frequently, burning at greater severity and scorching more land... Story I: Arizona wildfires are burning bigger and hotter than ever. How will the land recover? Story II: Study uses International Space Station to predict wildfire effects Story III: Biomass plant helps power post-wildfire forest thinning Story IV: How a rare squirrel could reveal changes in post-wildfire ecosystem |
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Calls grow for undoing environmental damage of the border wall
Along the southernmost edge of Arizona, where the San Pedro River once flowed freely over the border from its headwaters in Mexico, a 30-foot steel wall slices across the channel... Story I: Calls grow for undoing environmental damage of Trump's wall Story II: Jaguar sightings offer hope for recovery on the border Story III: More than 100 wildlife species roam Arizona's borderlands |
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'Good fires' gave forest managers a tool, climate change took it away
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests — Plumes of smoke drifted across the sky, wispy columns that traced a path to a smattering of downed trees still smoldering in the wake of yet another wildfire. Federal land managers have started their assessment of the burn scar, but already, life is finding its way back... |
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A renewed push to protect public lands in the Southwest
GILA BEND — With a new president and a new Interior secretary in place, activists and archaeologists are once again renewing their efforts to protect millions of new acres around the Southwest... Story I: Political shifts renew push to protect public lands in Arizona, across Southwest Story II: Law professor puts 'wildlife as property owners' theory into practice in Phoenix Story III: Activists call for Biden to halt Grand Canyon uranium mining, restore monuments |
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Wasting disease outbreak imperil Arizona wildlife, hunting industry
The glassy eyes appear to stare out as the skull sways back and forth on the operating table. Time in the freezer has suppressed the smell... Story I: Wasting disease would imperil wildlife, hunting industry Story II: Navajo Nation prepares as bordering states struggle with wildlife disease Story III: Dumpster program helps rural hunters fight chronic wasting disease |
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Migratory 'snowbirds' adapt to warmer winters, upsetting ecosystems
SUN LAKES — On every other swing, Larry Seckels pauses for a deep breath as his wife, Joan, calls out the number of flyouts. From the branches above, disgruntled caws interrupt the steady beat of his metal baseball bat... |
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Proposed 'glamping' development in Sedona sparks outcry
BEAR MOUNTAIN — Steep slopes and overgrown brush surround an abandoned house nestled at the base of Bear Mountain. The future of this parcel of private property, which is surrounded by federal land, is the crux of controversy between an out-of-state developer and both local residents and tribes... Story I: Proposed 'glamping' development in Sedona draws criticism over wildfires, tribal issues Story II: Developer withdraws plans for 'glamping' project by Sedona's Bear Mountain, for now |
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Ongoing drought causes 'unprecedented' juniper tree dieback
WILLIAMS — Drying juniper berries litter the ground as Rusine Stanley plunges a water hose into empty tanks in her backyard. As bubbles begin to gurgle, each tank fills to the brim. Brittle branches break at the touch as Stanley runs her hand through a juniper tree on her 10-acre property... |
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Snake removal research hopes to save snake lives
The canister swings with each stride as Bryan Hughes ventures farther into the desert outside Scottsdale, to a place that has yet to be claimed by urban sprawl. In response to the movement, what's inside the canister rattles in irritation... |
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Delisting proposal sparks controversy over wildlife management
LAKE MOHAVE — Nearly every detail of the soil bed beneath the water in the miles stretching up to Hoover Dam is discernible. Only wakes from boats and ripples from kayak paddles disturb the surface. Fish are easily spotted... |
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