Dear fellow members of SEJ,
When I was three years old, a wasp landed on my hand and stung me. Instead of running away or killing it, I cupped it in my palms so it couldn’t get to my face. Sure, it stung me a couple more times (and I yelled in pain), but I think it says something about my personality: I am persistent, focused on finding solutions, even if they’re unconventional, and I don’t like to kill arthropods for any reason.
My love of the natural world has led to a 14-year career in environmental journalism, where I’ve been both a staffer — most recently as a senior writer/editor at National Geographic, for five years — and a freelancer, contributing to publications including the New York Times, Hakai, MIT Technology Review, The New Lede, The Atlantic and Scientific American.
I'd like to be on the SEJ board because I care deeply about the organization and think I could help guide it in its next chapter. I have fresh ideas and can relate to journalists in various positions, be it staff or freelancer; writer or editor. I feel passionately about supporting DEI initiatives and creating opportunities for ongoing education. One of the most important things SEJ can do is to support early-career journalists and those from marginalized communities to try and build a more diverse network, something the environmental journalism community continues to struggle with.
I’d also support more grants for journalists pursuing ambitious freelance projects and to help people who are new to journalism, or recently laid off. (As somebody who has experienced the loss of a job, this kind of support is crucial and increasingly important in a rough job market.) I appreciate recent efforts to make the organization more international and would like to help however I can in that. Finally, I’d like to enhance our ability to share and discuss each other's work.
SEJ has benefited me in many ways and helped me become a better journalist. I’ve made good friends through the organization and loved the meetings I’ve been able to attend — New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Boise and Philly. I have the time and passion now for this role and I’d love to give back.
All best,
Doug Main
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