A few years back, we were interviewing candidates for a new environmental reporter role at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, an area where staff departures had left us scrambling for stability.
At the time, we were working with Report for America, which partially funds new reporting roles with the idea that local newsrooms build community support to cover the rest.
We had two candidates who stood out: Caitlin Looby, a scientist-turned-reporter who was training scientists in writing and communication at the University of Minnesota, and Madeline Heim, who had distinguished herself as an aggressive and thoughtful health reporter covering COVID and related issues at the Appleton Post-Crescent.
Funding one would be a challenge, two a downright stretch.
We went for two.
When we did, it was a leap of faith that you — our readers — would come through.
We’re so grateful that you did.
Caitlin and Madeline have become anchors of the strongest team in the state when it comes to covering issues that affect our water, land and air — things that matter to all of us and a healthy future. That ranges from innovative efforts to tackle algal blooms to a new way to remove invasive mussels at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
The three-year Report for America commitment has passed, but we have found a new way to support this team — through the recently created Community-Funded Journalism Project administered by the Chicago-based Local Media Foundation.
In just the past few months, we have received substantial support from Outrider Foundation, Brico Fund, Fund for Lake Michigan, Barbara K. Frank, The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, and many, many individual contributions. We are tremendously grateful for their support.
Our team is stronger because of it, and our community is stronger because of the work of our team. Think about the recent story from Madeline and fellow team member Laura Schulte about the ammunition plant that helped the United States win World War II but left a toxic legacy in the water supply. No one else is telling those stories in the way we can.
We need community support to keep telling them — and to tell more of them.
Who is on your environmental team?
Caitlin Looby is continuing her focus on the Great Lakes and the environment, including climate issues. Madeline Heim has broadened her focus to include public health, another area of expertise, and continues to keep an eye on the Mississippi River basin.
Their editor is Tom Koetting.
In Madison, Laura Schulte tracks state government agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, and has written more stories — and more insightful stories — than probably any reporter in the state on the hazards of “forever chemicals,” typically known as PFAS.
Outdoors editor Paul Smith plays a key role as well, writing stories about everything from the wolf hunt to why flamingos showed up in Port Washington.
What should we watch for from the team?
More good stories, of course. It is what sets us apart and provides a strong newsroom foundation during a time of great uncertainty in the news business.
We have several projects in the works, including one around the fallout of PCB cleanup in Green Bay waterways and another that looks at the future of the deer hunt, a deep-seated Wisconsin tradition that faces a raft of challenges.
Beyond that, we hope you see a lot more of our team — from community events to radio appearances to speaking engagements. And to see our work in more formats (text, video, audio) and on more platforms (JSOnline, of course, but also Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and more).
From story ideas to speaking requests to feedback on their work, you can reach the team at these email addresses:
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Caitlin Looby: clooby@gannett.com
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Madeline Heim: mheim@gannett.com
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Laura Schulte: leschulte@jrn.com
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Paul Smith: paul.smith@jrn.com
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Tom Koetting, editor: thomas.koetting@jrn.com
My contact information is below. We hope to hear from you.
How can I support this effort?
We are working to build a broad and sustained coalition of support around our environmental team. Those interested in learning more about how they can help should contact Erin Richards, our director of development, at erichards@gannett.com.
The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.
To make a direct, tax-deductible contribution to the Community-Funded Journalism Project, administered by the Local Media Foundation, go to jsonline.com/support. Meanwhile, checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation with “JS Community Journalism” in the memo, then mailed to: Local Media Foundation, P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689.
In recent months, I have written about the many partnerships we have built, our Community-Funded Journalism project, and the guidelines we follow to assure we remain independent and put our readers and the community first.
In September, when I wrote about an expansion of our education team, I ended the piece the same way I will now: We need you. We appreciate you.
We thank you.
Greg Borowski is executive editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @GregJBorowski and reach him via greg.borowski@jrn.com.
Connect with the Journal Sentinel
Reach the newsroom: jsmetro@journalsentinel.com or 414-224-2318
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Help us cover Wisconsin’s waters, land and air
