Beginning in 2003 and continuing this year, Environment Writer has published a series of articles profiling online publications producing different forms of original journalism about environmental issues. Several of those publications continue to evolve. Here's a look at some of the recent and pending changes.

Environment News Service

At the end of March, Environment News Service one of the internet's first online ventures in environmental reporting, launched a distribution service for paid press releases called World-Wire.

ENS, which produces breaking news stories about environmental topics in the style of a traditional wire service, last August began requiring paid subscriptions for full access to its own website. News service subscribers are offered the opportunity, on an opt-in basis, to receive the press releases that World-Wire distributes by email.

These releases, which recently have announced activities of companies such as Volvo, Home Depot and HP, are also displayed on the World-Wire website.

"If people do not wish to receive the (emailed) press releases, they can just unsubscribe," said Sunny Lewis, ENS Editor in Chief. "But people seem to like the service. Few have dropped away."

In another change, ENS, which relocated its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado, last year, has relocated again – this time to Hawaii. The service still maintains a news bureau in Washington, D.C.

(A detailed article on ENS appeared in Environment Writer's July-August 2003 issue at http://www.environmentwriter.org/resources/articles/0803_ens.htm or Download the issue.)

Tidepool

Tidepool, a website that publishes a daily summary of environmental coverage from the Pacific Northwest along with original articles, is severing formal ties with its publisher, the Portland-based environmental group Ecotrust, which has ceased funding the publication.

An independent nonprofit is to continue producing the website. Ecotrust will let Tidepool retain dedicated grant funds, and the web publication's staff will continue to provide some services for Ecotrust involving the presentation of news on that group's own website, said Seth Zuckerman, a writer who has contributed regularly to Tidepool and will now be the publication's publisher.

Former managing editor Derek Reiber is Tidepool's new editor, and former editor Ed Hunt becomes editor emeritus. Hunt will continue to write a column and provide consulting and other services on an unpaid basis. A marketing position is being added, Zuckerman said.

One element of the new organization's fund-raising efforts will be modeled after National Public Radio's relationships with underwriters, whose names – though not traditional advertisements – are cited during NPR programming, he said.

The hope is that prospective underwriters for Tidepool will want their identities promoted in this manner to Tidepool's readership, which is heavy with individuals such as journalists, government officials, environmental professionals, environmentalists and students.

(A detailed article on Tidepool appeared in Environment Writer's September 2003 issue at http://www.environmentwriter.org/resources/articles/0903_tidepool.htm or Download the issue.)

Grist

Grist, the online environmental magazine that promises "doom and gloom with a sense of humor," appears poised to take a leap into greater productivity and prominence.

Recently, the Seattle-based publication has been soliciting applications for the position of managing editor with an announcement that promises "an exciting time of expansion and transition, as the magazine begins publishing more content, builds more content and marketing partnerships, and solidifies our standing as the top online source of environmental news and commentary."

One "content partnership" has been in evidence for several months already, as a number of articles by Amanda Griscom, Grist's prolific political and energy columnist, have also appeared in the general website publication Salon, sporting Grist's logo next to the headline.

(A detailed article on Grist appeared in Environment Writer's June 2003 issue at http://www.environmentwriter.org/resources/articles/0603_ejourn1.htm or Download the issue.)