This workshop series was funded by a consortium of federal agencies headed by the National Science Foundation's Paleoclimate Program, Division of Atmospheric Sciences, (through a grant to the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting, based at the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island). The first five workshops of this series were conducted between November 2003 and November 2005.

Additional funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Atmospheric Programs (through a grant to the nonprofit Environmental Law Institute); by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Ocean Service; and by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through a grant to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (for the Scripps workshop).

Workshops focused primarily on climate and atmospheric science and on marine science. They revolved around environmental science issues, but sought also to learn and benefit from other similar and relevant science journalism initiatives. The focus was not solely on identifying important communications problems and obstacles involving scientists and journalists, but also on practical and workable solutions to addressing those problems.

Responsibility for the workshops rested primarily with Bud Ward, a long-time environmental journalist and writer now focusing on continuing education for journalists. Ward and the (at the time) EPA project officer involved in this workshop series, Anthony Socci, Ph.D., lead this innovative science journalism effort. They were joined by Jackleen de La Harpe, former Executive Director of the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting, the Principal Investigator under the companion NSF grant to the Metcalf Institute.

Invited participants for each of six planned workshops were eight to ten print and broadcast reporters and editors (including one or two environmental and science journalism professors) who bring substantial experience in reporting on environmental and natural resources science and policy issues.

The invited science participants included eight to ten respected and senior climate and atmospheric and marine scientists who brought their own experiences in working with the media to inform the public. Special guests observed each meeting and, as appropriate, participated in the dialogue.