over the past 16 years, the planet forward team has provided instruction and mentorship to hundreds of students. this year marks a milestone as we celebrate our 10th cohort of correspondents.

whether advancing climate solutions, shaping public policy, mobilizing companies or communities, or developing new technologies, our alumni know that at a time of urgent environmental challenges, compelling stories bring complex issues to life — and put faces on the facts. we are proud of the work they’re doing and the contributions we have made to launch the next generation of environmental leaders.

francesca edralin

master’s student, environment and development, london school of economics

because of planet forward, i’ve built a strong foundation in environmental storytelling that i carry throughout my life. it has empowered me to embrace my heritage in my storytelling, celebrate the diversity of stories within other communities, and help bring new voices into the movement.” 

as a freshman at george washington university, francesca edralin noticed a sign for the planet forward summit and knew she had to attend. an international affairs major with a concentration in international environmental studies, she had a growing passion for creative communication. “there was a speaker from national geographic who talked about using stories to help conserve the ocean,” she said. “that was the intersection i wanted: using the power of storytelling to influence change.”

a proud first-generation filipino-american, francesca was motivated by how little awareness existed in the u.s. about climate change’s impact on the philippines. “i’d spend summers with my relatives and their houses would be four feet underwater. and that was just normal,” she said. determined to tell these stories more effectively, she became a planet 世界杯欧洲预选赛免费直播 and added a journalism minor to sharpen her skills in video production, editing, and interviewing. this led to an internship with mongabay covering global conservation, followed by her role as the inaugural sustainable storytelling fellow with comcast where she produced a mini-documentary on food insecurity. a highlight of her time with planet forward came when she was selected as a student reporter at cop 26 in glasgow. 

professionally, francesca has carried forward her “storytelling hat” into roles beyond traditional journalism. at the world wildlife fund (wwf), she worked on the consumer engagement team, developing creative partnerships with companies in gaming, media, and film to inspire behavior change and fundraising. today, she is pursuing a master’s in environment and development at the london school of economics, where she is deepening her understanding of global sustainability challenges through an intersectional, equity-centered lens. looking ahead, she seeks to serve as a bridge in the sustainability field, bringing together her global experiences in environmental storytelling, corporate sustainability, and partnership building to advance equity-centered solutions in the environmental movement.

deepti bansal gage

international environmental lawyer

because of planet forward, my perspective on how to communicate has changed, and my ability to tap into the creative side of myself in my everyday work has been re-ignited.”

while studying law at george washington university, deepti bansal gage sought a creative outlet beyond the highly analytical demands of her coursework. she found it at the planet forward summit. “i saw that someone from national geographic was going to be there and, as a huge fan with a nat geo magazine collection dating back to the 1950’s, i knew i had to attend,” she said. “but i was blown away not by the nat geo speaker, but by the student storytellers.” inspired, she became a correspondent and storyfest participant, opening doors to engage with environmental issues outside of a purely legal framework.

through planet forward, deepti honed her ability to give and receive feedback, distill complex topics into accessible formats, and tailor messages for different audiences. “in my world, the value of a lawyer isn’t how well they know the law; it’s how well they can analyze and communicate it to advocate for their clients,” she said. “you have to break it down into digestible pieces that anyone can understand, then make your case persuasively.” while with planet forward, she put these skills into practice, writing an op-ed on environmentalism, creating a video on solutions to algal blooms, and developing a visual story on species conservation. a life-changing trip to the galápagos further cemented her aspirations and gave her the confidence to pursue them. 

today, deepti is an international environmental lawyer, applying the storytelling and advocacy skills sharpened at planet forward to her work on climate change, human rights, renewable energy, circularity and more. she also serves on the planet forward advisory council, helping expand opportunities and networks for students. 

terrius harris

director, indigenous partnerships and inclusive economy, american sustainable business network

because of planet forward, i’m able to see the impact from stories in a way that is truthful, genuine, authentic. i can see minds change and people value something they wouldn’t have otherwise. i don’t have to work as hard to convince others to invest in the work that i love. the planet has a greater chance of survival by listening to those who hold the greatest risk.” 

over the years, terrius harris has worked with planet forward as a correspondent, fellow, and now a partner. “i was looking for an opportunity to hone my skills as a storyteller and to do it in a way that would not only be impactful for the community but also tell the story of my people, other people, and the planet that we’re serving,” he said. “and hopefully push others to be stewards of our natural resources and of our planet.”

terrius has since carried his passion for storytelling into a career dedicated to cultural advocacy, policy, and community investment. “i’ve always been a big listener,” he said. “and i’ve always been able to tell my story, but the ability to tell someone else’s story is truly a gift that you can’t just learn by reading.” from documenting traditional fishponds in hawai‘i to serving as a fulbright scholar and u.s. senate policy advisor, terrius credits planet forward with teaching him how to tell stories that drive change. 

today, as indigenous partnerships and inclusive economy director with the american sustainable business network, he continues to use storytelling to bridge communities, businesses, and policymakers. he also partners with planet forward through his indigenous youth climate resiliency through public policy program, mentoring the next generation of leaders. “in my opinion, the goal of planet forward is to change the minds of the masses and to show others who are working toward the good fight that they’re not alone.”

halley hughes

coordinator, arizona institute for resilience program, university of arizona

because of planet forward i have confidence in my own voice.”

with the guidance of a professor at the university of arizona, halley hughes found planet forward while studying natural resources and climate change. though she had no formal media training, she always carried the imagination of a storyteller. “i was always a storyteller, even as a kid. i loved playing make-believe,” she said. “when i was playing, my parents would suggest ‘the horse does this.’ and i’d say, ‘no, the horse has a plan. this is his character. he’s going to do this.’” that creative instinct fueled her desire to learn how scientists could communicate more effectively.

planet forward opened the door. “there was no playbook. that’s the fun part of it,” halley said. “i was scared. i was reading other people’s stories and i thought, ‘what in the world? how do you make something like that? am i just gonna make that?’” through one-on-one mentorship and hands-on experience at planet forward, she found her voice as a storyteller.

her very first planet forward story, on green stormwater infrastructure in tucson, inspired her master’s thesis and helped her move from an outside observer to an active community leader. another story, about stewardship of the santa cruz river, earned her local recognition and led to board positions with nonprofits as well as an appointment to the city of tucson’s heat advisory council. 

today, as a program coordinator at the arizona institute for resilience, halley works on the university of arizona’s heat research initiative, translating complex climate and health challenges into solution-oriented narratives for audiences ranging from state legislators to seniors. the dynamic intersection of scientists and storytellers continues to inspire and motivate her. her journey illustrates how planet forward serves as a launchpad, providing the skills, confidence, and validation for students to become effective changemakers.

alaine johnson

climate tech specialist

because of planet forward, i see the good of what’s in front of me, in people, in situations. i can find a compelling story that can motivate people to feel emotionally connected. through the emotion of hope, there comes a solutions-based approach that even if we falter, we can rebound.”

alaine johnson discovered planet forward through a google search in a café while studying abroad in singapore, becoming the program’s only internationally based correspondent at the time. drawn to solutions-focused journalism, and its stories about doers rather than doomsayers, she found planet forward to be the perfect platform to experiment with diverse media and connect with a broad community of storytellers.

through her reporting on urbanization and conservation in southeast asia, and with the encouragement to “try out different muscles of storytelling,” alaine produced work ranging from written pieces to stop-motion and short-form videos. planet forward even flew her from singapore to washington, d.c., for the summit, where the diversity of speakers and approaches to environmental communication showed her the power of community-driven storytelling. “with planet forward, you’re immediately part of a community,” she said. “the work galvanizes you to go out, talk to new people, and learn what’s happening outside your bubble.”

her time with planet forward helped shape a career rooted in solutions- and impact-focused communication. in singapore, she joined a coffee-based social enterprise as their first impact storyteller, crafting narrative-driven reports to connect with funders and partners. “they were trying to find solutions to challenges like underemployment, unemployment, and youth mental health,” she said. “i got to come in and help tell those stories for impact.” she later published freelance work in outlets such as mongabay and truthout and volunteered her skills for an indigenous-led wildlife rescue organization in indonesia, supporting them with grant writing and global outreach. today, alaine works in the climate tech sector, using storytelling to make complex topics like carbon accounting more accessible while highlighting the human benefits of climate solutions.

looking back, she credits planet forward with helping her see storytelling as not just a tool, but a mindset — one that continues to guide her work across sectors and continents.

peter jurich

freelance science journalist

because of planet forward, i feel more curious. i feel more confident in how to chase that curiosity. i’ve seen a part of the world that i don’t think most people get to see.”

peter jurich first discovered planet forward while pursuing a master’s in science communication at the university of wisconsin-madison from 2017 to 2019. he had always been interested in writing and storytelling, but his early career as a local journalist left him feeling unfulfilled. “the scheduling was overwhelming,” he said. “and honestly, i don’t want to be yelled at in city council meetings on my tuesday night. i had this crisis of ‘i want to write, i want to report, but this isn’t what i want to do.’” 

on a whim, peter entered the planet forward storyfest competition in 2019 and was invited to washington d.c. as a finalist. “i suddenly get this invite to d.c. and discover that it’s a whole thing. it’s not just a small little contest. these are people from all over,” he said. though he didn’t win storyfest that year, the experience validated his instincts as a storyteller and led him to become a correspondent. the program gave him confidence to pursue curiosity-driven science writing and in 2019, he achieved his goal of winning storyfest, earning a ticket to the galápagos. the winning story: dumpster diving.

from stories about sustainable agriculture in california to non-native species in the galápagos, planet forward provided the experiences and mentorship that empowered peter to launch a freelance career. today, he runs his own science communication business, focusing on food waste, sustainability, and public education, topics he first explored through planet forward. 

sophie kahler

coordinator, ceo communications & engagement, the nature conservancy

because of planet forward, i see environmental storytelling as a whole world, as opposed to a niche subject or certain type of journalism. you can do this, that, and the other, and they can all connect.”

sophie kahler joined planet forward as a staff member while pursuing her master’s degree in media and strategic communication at george washington university. this marked a shift from her undergraduate studies at the university of south carolina, where she majored in geography and focused on urban history and the dynamics that create residential segregation. at planet forward, she quickly found herself immersed in the world of environmental storytelling. 

in her role managing social media and student outreach, sophie focused on lowering barriers so students from all disciplines could share their stories. reading and promoting every student submission gave her a unique perspective. she entered the role imagining environmental communication as traditional, objective journalism, but came to value creativity, community voices, and personal perspective. “the magic is that it is a place where students can be creative and try new things at a time when they’re learning and growing a lot,” she said. “it’s not just writing or documentaries, it’s podcasts, illustrations, and art.”

the experience sparked sophie’s passion for conservation and directly shaped her career path. today, she is the ceo communications & engagement coordinator at the nature conservancy, where she manages the ceo’s social media and leads executive communications for one of the world’s largest environmental nonprofits. “executive comms is important because you have to strategically know when to use a voice not only to be influential in a room, but also to uplift the work that everyone is doing. it’s amplifying the stories of 6,000 people,” she said. 

communicating science and economics, she added, requires balance. “environmental conservation can be very science-heavy, with a million stats. we have big goals and big challenges. climate change and biodiversity can be huge ideas for people to wrap their minds around. how do we connect them to a story on the ground? i use storytelling as a way to anchor between really big ideas and the real people at the center of the story.”

looking back, sophie credits her two years at planet forward with helping her find her niche working in collaborative, mission-driven environments where communications can bridge divides and inspire action.

katie perkins

digital content manager, the wildlife society

because of planet forward, my perspective has widened and i’m now making a difference with the work that i’m doing in my community, in wildlife conservation, and in the world.”

as a student at texas tech university, katie perkins discovered her passion for blending science and storytelling through planet forward. after switching her major from natural resource management to creative media, she joined the correspondents program, producing stories across video, audio, photo, and written formats. the program helped her build a diverse portfolio and, more importantly, gave her the confidence to see herself as an environmental journalist.

one of her first pieces told the story of a local corn maze that shifted from water-intensive corn to drought-tolerant crops like sorghum and sunflowers in response to recurring droughts. “they took this tradition and reimagined it. and i got to tell that story,” she said. “plus, the maze is thick and 10 feet tall. it’s so much fun.”

through the correspondents program, and later as a storyfest finalist and summit panelist, katie says planet forward was the first place she truly saw a future in environmental journalism and conservation. today, as digital content manager for the wildlife society, she uses her multi-platform storytelling skills to translate complex science into accessible, engaging narratives. “i absolutely love everything that i do,” she said. “and the experience and portfolio i built with planet forward played a huge role in helping me get here.”

alex rubenstein

master’s student, climate science and policy, scripps institution of oceanography

because of planet forward, i’ve made lifelong friends. i’ve gained mentors. i became a mentor. i saw more in myself and became confident. i got to see parts of the world i had never seen before. i became a better storyteller.”

as a senior at george washington university, alex rubenstein entered and won planet forward’s storyfest competition in 2018 with a short documentary on a student-run composting program. “the big incentive for me to get involved was the trip to southeast alaska with national geographic-lindblad expeditions, which ended up being a career — and life-changing experience for me,” he said. “it pivoted my documentary filmmaking toward environmental filmmaking and conservation storytelling.” 

through planet forward, alex connected with mentors who pushed him to be more ambitious and professionals who helped shape his career path. the alaska trip planted the seed for his future role as a video chronicler, naturalist, and photo instructor with national geographic-lindblad expeditions. in a powerful full circle moment, alex later welcomed new storyfest winners aboard the very ship where his own journey had begun.

today, he continues to fuse storytelling and science, pursuing a master’s in climate science and policy at scripps institution of oceanography to deepen his work as a climate communicator.

harrison watson

ph.d. candidate, ecology and evolutionary biology, princeton university

because of planet forward, i can help other people dream. i can tell the story. i am a scientist.”

harrison watson first came to the planet forward summit as part of a video project for a film class as a freshman at jackson state university in 2016. though he thought his path was already set, it was there that he discovered a new way to engage with the environment through storytelling. “i didn’t think i would ever end up being a scientist. i didn’t think that i would ever end up being a storyteller or somebody that was involved in policy-making and decision-making,” he said. “i thought it had to be a career in environmental science or engineering. but i wanted to have more of a worldly view. i wanted to be a writer. i even considered switching my major to english because the biology classes weren’t giving me the kind of engagement with environmental work that i wanted. i was 17.”

harrison went on to become one of planet forward’s first student correspondents, an experience he describes as formative because it allowed him to experiment and follow his own interests. “the most fundamentally important thing that planet forward has going for it, is being able to open young students’ minds,” he said. “and not just crack the door, but really burst through it.” from covering living shorelines in alabama to exploring environmental justice, each of harrison’s stories created transformative experiences that became embedded in his daily life. a trip to the amazon rainforest with renowned conservationist tom lovejoy shaped a story about coexistence and reframed his sense of what was possible, instilling an “immense responsibility” to act on what was learned. 

today, as an ecology and evolutionary biology ph.d. student, harrison embodies the role of a “scientist-storyteller.” his research bridges local and global impact. in his hometown of trenton, n.j., he empowers youth to tell their own stories and become agents of change, while his work in african savannas challenges existing narratives and seeks new approaches to managing these landscapes. harrison also serves on the planet forward advisory council, bringing his perspectives, experiences, and ideas to continue to grow the program for students to come.

these profiles were written by contributor emily sesno, compiled from interviews conducted by fellow alum and advisory council member jake meyers.

these are unprecedented times and this year’s storyfest winners have risen to the challenge. from environmental justice to raging fires and rising seas, these students have produced stories that inform and inspire.

this year’s winners will embark this summer on a 10-day voyage to the galápagos islands with lindblad expeditions aboard the brand’s newest ship, national geographic gemini. guided by veteran expedition staff, including expert naturalists and scientists, plus educators, students will explore the extraordinary biodiversity of the archipelago and gain valuable insight into conservation efforts at the frontlines of climate and ecological change.

“travel has the power to open minds and build bridges of connection and understanding. it also has the power to influence how human beings engage with the natural world,” said amy berquist, vice president of conservation, education, and sustainability at lindblad expeditions. 

these outstanding student storytellers represent colleges and universities across the globe. through short films, social media videos, podcasts, longform writing, and multimedia packages, they tackled pressing topics like invasive species, emerging contaminants, and equitable access to nature. their work was selected by a panel of professional journalists, educators, and environmental leaders for its originality, clarity, and impact.

“we are honored to sponsor the planet forward storyfest awards for an eighth year,” berquist said. “the college and university storytellers who win this expedition experience are important voices for our planet; their stories will center on issues that shape the future.

“as a company that believes in the power of science and education — and making our ships available as platforms for research and learning — we are always inspired by hosting students. it is an honor to facilitate a way for them to use their energy and talents in support of the world’s wild and remote places.”

the winners’ stories illustrate the power of compelling environmental communication. above all, the 2025 storyfest winners give us hope on our journey to 2022年卡塔尔世界杯官网 . a hearty congratulations to our winners:

best short video
farron taijeron – university of guam 
“swimming with snakes: the backyard science of an invasive species in guam”

best social media video
mario castroviejo  – university of navarra | the george washington university
“how climate change impacts one of our favorite sweets: chocolate”

best podcast
avril silva – the george washington university
“a pfas problem: emerging contaminants in water in frederick, maryland”

best multimedia story
devin santikarma – middlebury college
“water gods: an ancient irrigation method in bali comes under threat”

best written story
kayla smernoff – howard university
“understanding the demographic discrepancy in park visitorship”

gw award
paul leoni – the george washington university
“cutting through the fog: the future of lobsters in the warming gulf of maine”

spotlight award
karli moore – stanford university 
“a native farmer growing a native crop: the role of fiber hemp in a more sustainable future”

fan favorite award 
sagen lily quale – university of wisconsin-madison
“seeding stories: manoomin and anishinaabeg relations”

this year, storyfest entrants were judged in six categories: best written story by a media student, best written story by a non-media student, best video by a media student, best video by a non-media student, best multimedia story by a media student, best multimedia story by a non-media student.

planet forward staff also selected the winners of the spotlight award and the gw award; given to the stories that best profiled the environmental work of a member of a disadvantaged community, and to the work that best captured the values of george washington university, respectively.

a special thanks goes out to this year’s storyfest judging panel, which included phil frank, john sutter, elizabeth joy herzfeldt-kamprath, melanie wallace, gina murphy-darling, jake meyers, deepti bansal gage, tik root, lauren risi, and our judging chair, larry evans.

this year’s storyfest winners will travel with lindblad expeditions to the galápagos or iceland this summer to report on stories from the field.

congratulations once more to this year’s storyfest winners!

best written story by a media student

the climate necessity defense: how activists are using civil disobedience to fight climate change

by delan li, university of connecticut

the judges said, “delan moves into the focus of her story seamlessly and has a good flow, balance, and overview of the opportunities and challenges presented by this defense of civil disobedience. she did plenty of research and talked to many people, and her work paid off in a carefully and clearly written story.”

best written story by a non-media student

making home: a story of beaver and babies

by mickki garrity, university of minnesota

the judges said, “mickki garrity has written a compelling story about our relationship with the natural world and with each other.  she begins by sharing a creation story of the nishnabek people, the story of the first man and his first teacher, the beaver.  she describes how the beaver lives in the world and how we can learn from the beaver’s example.”

best multimedia story by a media student

looking back on alto maipo: hydropower and controversy in the chilean andes

by laura isaza & sachi kitajima mulkey, uc berkeley

the judges said, “the added element of voices gives the viewer a feeling of actually knowing who is impacted by this environmental issue and is the type of storytelling that helps one learn more through local voices. one of our judges stated that, as a spanish speaker, it was great to hear the voices of the speakers interviewed first hand. for all of the above reasons, this was our number one choice.”

best multimedia story by a non-media student

your friendly neighborhood spider-party: community scientists use spider webs to monitor air pollution

by joy reeves, duke university

the judges said, “one of the most impressive submissions we have seen during our collective time with planet forward. clearly, so much effort went into this story from the research to the process to build out the story with very impressive drawings. the editorial quality is top notch. the three of us also loved the attribution at the end that provided a way to engage the audience to act.”

best video by a media student

sweltering saguaros: survival in a changing desert

by jason marmon & daniel stipanovich, arizona state university

the judges said, “it took us to a place we had not been, told us things we did not know, and did so with beautiful photography, humor, creative editing, and fun music. the featured speakers were diverse, knowledgeable, and interesting. a high quality endeavor.”

best video by a non-media student

growing gigas: farming giant clams in kosrae, micronesia

by micah seidel, rutgers university

the judges said, “micah seidel takes viewers to a place most have never been – a giant clam farm in micronesia. drone footage gives geographic context to this distant paradise, and a well-planned combination of original and acquired footage explain the intertwined plights of giant clams, corals, and entire marine ecosystems.”

spotlight award

namé recycling: combining revenue, jobs, and sustainability

by beverly ndifoin, notre dame university

the staff said, “beverly’s story expertly shows how one person can make a gigantic difference in their community. by profiling the innovative work of namé recycling in her home country of cameroon, beverly captures how one business can make a significant impact in the fight against plastic waste pollution, while creating new, useful products in the process.”

gw award

gen-z’s calling: one youth-climate org works to turn anxiety into action

by ayah mahana, george washington university

the staff said, “ayah’s story captures the fears, dreams, and energy of a group of young people who came together to create climate action. ayah chronicles the genesis of zero hour, whose members came from across the country, to descend on washington dc for a historic climate march in 2018. her story captures the power of young people to organize, have their voices heard, and create change.”

the students convened at the ford rouge complex with myself and planet forward multimedia editor aaron dye after traveling from across the country. among the students, duke university, george washington university, howard university, middlebury college, suny-esf, tuskegee university, and university of arizona, were represented.

during an intensive day with engineers, plant managers, and members of ford’s esg team, students got to see the production of ford vehicles on the assembly line as well as explore various testing facilities like ford’s wind tunnel.

starting in march, the students will be publishing their stories from this trip which will cover a range of topics. from water conservation in ev production to ev consumer reluctance and range anxiety, the stories will explore the challenges of the current moment in actuating the just transition to evs, as well as the solutions that ford is bringing to the table.

this trip would not have been possible without the support of the ford motor company, their partnership with planet forward, or their hospitality during the trip. we look forward to publishing the stories from this trip and can’t wait for you to read them!

editor’s note: ford motor company made this series possible by providing students with an experiential learning opportunity at their facilities in dearborn, michigan. all editorial content is created independently. we thank ford motor company for their support of our project.

click the presentation below to see photos of the incredible people and landscapes that made this a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience and storytelling expedition.

we hosted more than 200 in-person and 400+ virtual attendees over the course of two days filled with engaging panel discussions, educational workshops, and productive networking opportunities. participation this year was a wild success and we look forward to growing the summit even larger in the coming years.

but in case you weren’t able to attend, or were too busy soaking up the spring sun to see a speaker you were really interested in, you can catch up with these amazing advocates and environmental storytellers on youtube!

each block of the show was recorded and uploaded separately to youtube so you can watch the whole day or just catch up on the bits you missed.

another huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend! keep moving the planet forward and save the date for next year’s summit on april 18th and 19th, 2024!

winners will travel to iceland for a five-day voyage with lindblad expeditions aboard the newest polar vessel, national geographic resolution. together with a dedicated team of naturalists, photo instructors, an undersea specialist, and a wellness instructor, the winners will explore iceland’s remote fjords and volcanic isles, while learning how iceland is addressing conservation and natural resource protection topics in the face of climate change.

five winners in best scalable innovation, best science narrative, best use of science or data, most compelling character, and most creative story were selected by our panel of ten independent judges. thank you to judging chair phil frank, plus alison milligan, francesca edralin, tik root, don holzworth, larry evans, gina murphy-darling, dena seidel, jake meyers, and gina mccrackin!

there was one story submitted this year that seemed to defy our storyfest categories. this story received the inaugural planet forward staff award for its excellent use of science and data, variety of interviews, and incorporation of original artwork.

explore the best in student-produced written journalism, environmental video, and science communication podcasting below!

best scalable innovation

in colorado, the soil beneath solar panels is ripe for growing crops

by gabe allen & tyler hickman | the university of colorado, boulder

the judges say,

“gabe and tyler’s essay on agrivoltaics stood out for highlighting an innovative energy-saving technology that allows farmers to preserve a tradition.” 

best science narrative

solutions on the half-shell: healing florida’s waters with clams

by katie delk | university of florida

the judges say,

“katie’s story allows us to sensitively enter a threatened coastal ecosystem through the community directly impacted – the very people who take real action to protect the natural world they depend upon.”

best use of science or data

perennial grains are the future of sustainable agriculture

by cassidy hough | michigan state university

the judges say,

“cassidy’s delivery style was unique, fun, and compelling. by guiding us through historical practices, and introducing us to practical possibilities for the future she left us inspired and wanting to learn more.”

most compelling character

nebraska sandhills hint changing tides in agriculture

by vidya muthupillai | george washington university

the judges say,

“this story introduces a rancher at the forefront of efforts to change the way grazing animals are raised. it is focused on the harm to soil caused by current ranching practices and offers an alternative that repairs the soils and improves the health of the animals.”

most creative story

reconciliación en mi río

by halley hughes | university of arizona

the judges say,

“not only did halley communicate the importance of cleaning up plastic pollution in her local watershed through a video, she also built a symbolic sculpture to tell the story of how human-caused changes to the environment have had a noticeable and lasting impact on the biodiversity of the santa cruz river.”

planet forward staff award

reinventing a sustainable crab fishery

by sachi kitajima mulkey | university of california, berkeley

the judges say,

“by asking insightful questions and skillfully capturing the voices and experiences of crab fishers, sachi was able to weave together a powerful story that inspires an emotional connection with her audience. the addition of her own unique illustrations added an extra layer of depth and meaning to the story, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for readers.”

through the generous support of the ted turner foundation, laura turner seydel, and berl brechner, planet forward was able to bring four students to the expansive mcginley ranch in northern nebraska for a unique reporting adventure. the ranch team welcomed us with heartfelt hospitality. they shared their expertise and introduced us to a team of inspiring researchers. we learned the science and we dug into everything (quite literally) from soil health to the diets and digestion of grass-fed bison. 

the nearly 80,000 acre property is the inaugural project of the ted turner institute of ecoagriculture and is a leading site of regenerative agriculture and sustainable bison ranching. the four planet forward students, who came from across the country, spent three days exploring and learning from mcginley’s experts and from ranchers and scientists. they participated in a low-stress approach to herding bison, inspected local stream health, studied the digestive processes of grass-fed bison, and more.

each of the four students chose a topic to report on. they reported from the field, interviewed the ranchers and researchers, and saw with their own eyes – and cameras – just what’s being done. their stories will publish on planetforward.org.  before the students were even back in class, however, they shared with us what the trip meant and what they learned on mcginley ranch.

vidya muthupillai: 

coming from texas, i always had some understanding of the agriculture community as an intersection of land and livelihoods, but experiencing the overlay of cultural and economic conditions with conservation elements firsthand will leave a lasting impression. far removed from the national discourse on global climate change that i have become accustomed to, farmers and ranchers in the great plains are discussing, experimenting with, and implementing agricultural practices that have profound impacts on natural ecosystem services like carbon sequestration.

these conversations on carbon are not happening about atmospheric carbon in parts-per-million, but rather about the dollars flowing in and out through the soil that many ranchers have lived on for decades. as a student of public policy, i am especially confronted by the push and pull factors of transitioning to regenerative agriculture that i was able to glimpse through my conversations with mcginley ranch’s generous staff.

beyond the immense wealth of knowledge i’ve gained insight into, i will forever remember the incredibly unique experiences i had on the ranch that reinstilled my wonderment and curiosity in the land. from smelling the different soils of the plains to partaking in the low-stress bison moving process to shoving my arm elbow-deep into the rear end of a bison to collect samples, i don’t think i’ve ever quite had a weekend like this one. and despite ending the second day covered in bison excrement, dust, and grass seeds, i would 100% do it again. 

adam goldstein: 

at mcginley, i came across a research operation that exceeded my expectations in its philosophical balance, forward thinking, and ecology-based approach to conservation. on the trip, we learned about the nonprofit model mcginley uses to fund research with land-grant universities. we also learned of the importance of their pro-bono ecological services to restore endangered species. and as someone who is more familiar with regenerative commodity farming, learning about regenerative ranching opened my eyes to potential stories i hadn’t envisioned prior. seeing mcginley’s soil health, low-stress handling, and viable economic model in-person provided proof of a working concept that a press release cannot.  

this recap, of course, does not account for the endless fun my peers and i had on the ranch. we zig-zagged across the prairie in two-by-twos, watched the stars from the sand hills, and ate perfectly-grilled bison steaks. i gathered dozens of story ideas and memories thanks to this unique experience. i would like to extend profound gratitude to mark kossler, jessica lovett, tyrell mcclain, and the rest of the mcginley crew for the hospitality they showed us. i also want to thank frank sesno, dr. imani cheers, and the planet forward/gwu sponsors for the opportunity to join you all. 

hannah krantz: 

between the hands-on experience of helping herd thousands of bison across miles of land, listening to presentations from ph.d. candidates from the university of south dakota about their niche bison and agriculture research, and directly interviewing ranch techs, i learned so much. the most eye-opening information was about the principles of regenerative agriculture, a way of using the land that goes beyond just not harming it, and actually combats climate change and improves the quality of the land while still making a profit. before this trip, i had learned a lot about sustainable agriculture, but didn’t know much about regenerative agriculture. i was almost overwhelmed with information in the best way. 

the truly invaluable experiences came from the little moments in between the structured learning times. i spoke to a ranch tech for an hour about his livelihood and family while we drove back from herding the bison, i looked at the stars with my fellow student correspondents, i met the ranch manager’s gaggle of young daughters who took my hand and enthusiastically introduced me to many chickens by name and gave me a peek into a childhood with an 80,000 acre backyard. beyond the science of regenerative agriculture, i learned a lot about the way of life that supports the rancher’s motivations, and got to understand their connection to the land. 

eva kotobuki sideris: 

each day, our hosts would present their research and current projects to inform us on how the land is managed, and also give us great content for our stories. although i knew a bit about eco-agriculture prior to this trip, i did not realize its depth on a regenerative bison farm.

the prairies at mcginley ranch support over 8,000 different types of plants that create highly specialized niches for other organisms, such as fungus, birds, and insects. the vegetation also improves soil quality and infiltration which supports excellent water quality for drinking and aquatic organisms. the sustainability of this complex ranch ecosystem requires grazing, making bison a keystone species. 

i also enjoyed how each person i spoke to expressed their perspective on bison differently. the presentations covered a unique aspect of the bison that opened my perspective on the meat industry, health, sustainable farming, and nutrigenomics. my conversations also highlighted their personal connections to this animal, ranching, and gave me access to a wealth of experiential knowledge.

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stay tuned for these authors’ forthcoming articles and videos exploring the exciting new developments at mcginley ranch! 

this year’s student storytelling was – in a word – exceptional, and the competition for the title of storyfest 2022 winner was incredibly tough. our finalists covered everything from musicians and scientists to farmers and community activists, and highlighted solutions on everything from new irrigation technology to mammoth resurrection. you can see all our amazing finalists’ pieces right here on planetforward.org.

after a great deal of deliberation from our committee of judges, we are excited to share our our 2022 winners:

most compelling character

plantita power: microgreens in the district

jennifer cuyuch, george washington university

the judges say:

through her warm interviews and vibrant use of music and graphics, the judges say jennifer not only conveys the character of plantita power’s founder, steph, but also their community and spirit of care and life – plants! – that they cultivate.

most creative story

‘coastal degradation through fresh eyes’: a picture book come to life

delaney graham, suny-esf

the judges say:

a thoroughly absorbing story built around storybook characters. amka’s friend, is a puffin who is homeless because of coastal erosion. they embark on a journey of discovery and hope. the story works and the characters pop. the judges were taken by the character – and the content.

best scalable innovation

farzona comnas, george washington university

the judges say:

beautifully written and photographed, this story is personal to farzona, focusing on deserts in her native country of jordan. they’re becoming hotter and drier as a result of climate change. farzona proposes planting forests in desert. sound impossible? she cites an initiative in lebanon that has done just that. the practice is called afforestation. project drawdown rates it 15th of the most significant steps we could take to reverse global warming. the judges say, this story delivers!

best science narrative

a tale of two mountains: battling climate change and wildfires at home and abroad

ryan bieber, ithaca college

the judges say:

ryan weaves a compelling narrative built on the science. it is a tale of two sierras. in california, the sierra nevada has experienced “nine out of ten of the state’s largest wildfires … in the last decade.” in spain, monoculture replanting in the sierra nevada became a fire trap. this story is a compelling narrative of learning and loss showing distinct ways that human activity has led to devastating wildfires. 

best use of science & data

hope flows through the heart of tucson: the santa cruz river heritage project

halley hughes, the university of arizona

the judges say:

halley brings the science and data to real-world life in her story about the santa cruz river heritage project. a “trickle of water” that represents “enormous change.” the story captures the heart and soul of the living desert. as halley writes, “making tucson more drought resilient, conserving water resources, supporting critical biodiversity, connecting a city to its heritage, and educating a new generation.”

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congratulations to our winners — and a huge thank you to all the students who entered this year. we are so proud of the stories you are telling to 2022年卡塔尔世界杯官网 !

most compelling character:

navigating climate change through song: a q&a with pinegrove’s evan stephens hall

ryan bieber, ithaca college

plantita power: microgreens in the district

jennifer cuyuch, george washington university

should you be taking pictures of roadkill?: citizen science aids research efforts

clarice knelly, suny-plattsburgh

‘i built my dream’: southeast asian woman grows local food, cultural acceptance in missouri ozarks

lauren ulrich, indiana university bloomington

most creative story:

‘coastal child’: a video essay on ocean conservation and education

kaitlyn copland, eckerd college

‘coastal degradation through fresh eyes’: a picture book come to life

delaney graham, suny-esf

welcoming our feathered neighbors

paula milenkova and maya thompson, university of california, berkeley

ice plant = climate change

kamryn j you mak, middlebury college

best scalable innovation:

water is life (tó éí iiná): groundwork to solving water inequity on the navajo nation

mckenzie allen-charmley, arizona state university

essay | how trees can save a drowning desert

farzona comnas, george washington university

what does $3 million of seaweed look like?

michaela compo, george washington university

college food insecurity: eating away at student success

connor kuerbis, university of wisconsin-madison

as arizona agriculture runs dry, new irrigation tech could help

diana quintero, arizona state university

best science narrative:

eternity is upstream: a call for salmon habitat protection

claire babbott-bryan, middlebury college

a tale of two mountains: battling climate change and wildfires at home and abroad

ryan bieber, ithaca college

bats are facing an epidemic of their own: white-nose syndrome

helen bradshaw, northwestern university

iso: roommate that pays rent in nutrients & water

michaela compo, george washington university

planting seeds of mental health wellness in the face of covid-19 stressors

poonam narotam, northwestern university

best use of science & data:

breakthrough research takes a step toward converting carbon dioxide pollution into fuel

hannah krantz, george washington university

mammoth resurrection may be a climate solution. should it be?

skylar epstein, george washington university

hope flows through the heart of tucson: the santa cruz river heritage project

halley hughes, the university of arizona

fishing harbors community; development and climate change threaten it

carter weinhofer, eckerd college

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congratulations to all our finalists — and a huge thank you to all the students who entered this year. who will be our winners? watch the summit to find out.