DEADLINE: IJNR's Asian Carp at the Gates of the Great Lakes: A Workshop for Journalists

Of the countless invasive species reconfiguring ecosystems and busting management budgets across the United States, none has captured the public imagination like Asian carp. These fishes, once stocked widely across the U.S. to eat nuisance aquatic weeds, have since upended the food webs of their adopted waterways, muscled once-abundant native fish species to the margins, and, in the case of the often-airborne silver carp, become viral sensations on YouTube.

Since 2002, a population of Asian carp has lurked not far downriver from Chicago where, thanks to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, the fish would be able to move from the Mississippi River watershed and into the Great Lakes. In May of 2019, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent Congress a $778 million proposal to install a series of technological deterrents in the canal to prevent the fishes from moving upstream.

From the evening of November 3, 2019 to the afternoon of November 5th, IJNR will lead a two-day workshop exploring the story of Asian carp in America. Participating reporters will talk to elected officials, state and federal regulators, scientists, anglers.

• Read more.

Working journalists are invited to register for one of 20 available first-come, first-served spots in this workshop.

Registration will open at noon (EST) on Friday, October 4. Grab one of the remaining spots today! Registration closes October 18 at noon ET.

There is a $25 registration fee.

IJNR will cover the cost of lodging on the nights of November 3 and 4, as well as all meals during the program.

Please note that we will not cover travel expenses to and from the workshop; local travel during the workshop is covered.

Staying overnight is not required for reporters within commuting distance.

Please note that preference will be given to professional, working journalists (including freelancers). We MAY consider one or two journalism graduate students, pending available space. If you are a graduate student interested in attending, please contact us (contact@ijnr.org) before registering.