envjournal

           One is from America and the other is from Africa We are a very unique team, proud of our diverse backgrounds and inspired by our common desire to build a strong community that identifies water as a critical resource for life. We have gotten to know each other at the Reynolds School of Journalism. Beyond the school halls, we ‘ve also come to know and respect each other ’s passion for anything that relates to water. We also love people and figured out that rather than just waste our days, we must make an effort to contribute making our community a better place. We recognize that this resource is extremely important in the lives of the people of Northern Nevada. Thus, as budding environmental journalist, we see water as vital way to enter into a conversation with our community. Michelle & Gideon

Feel free to contact us, we’d love to hear your feedback, opinions, misgivings, and input!        envjournal@gmail.com

About Michelle

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, about 10 minutes from the ocean. I have always been fascinated by aquatic ecosystems, especially marine mammals. In college, I studied ecology and systematic biology where I concentrated on marine biology and fisheries. During this time I also spent a semester on Santa Catalina Island at the Wrigley Marine Institute, where I was able to immerse myself in the beautiful water, and swim with the vast array of local fish and leopard sharks everyday. Upon graduation I embarked on several biological technician jobs gaining experience as a field biologist. The most exciting job was working for the Buck Island Reef National Monument as a sea turtle monitor. As part of a team, I monitored the beach nightly for nesting Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles. I have also spent time doing herring fisheries, spotted owl, and northern goshawk research, along with aspen tree surveys.  After returning to school and receiving another bachelor’s degree in Photojournalism, I moved to Reno in August 2008. I am a master’s student in Interactive Environmental Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno. For more information, please see my personal website.

About Gideon

Originally from Cameroon in Central Africa, Gideon has circled the world looking for greener pastures. Today, he is happy call Reno home while studying at the Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno.  Prior to coming to Reno, he has spent over a decade working in Singapore and for a short while in South Africa. In his previous job, he was fire officer and was the captain of a team of a hazardous material specialists.  When he could not contain his entrepreneurial pursuits, he left that job and started Xtramile Solutions. With XtraMile, he trained thousands of emergency personnel and executives around the world. Although he has not not much by way of managing water related issues, he recognizes the fact that water will be the next big thing on world stage of environmental issues. That is why he thought this blog will be useful in providing the people another perspective.