Environmental journalism conference to be held in Knoxville March 27

The East Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will hold a "Writing Green," a conference about environmental journalism, in Knoxville Friday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seminar is co-sponsored by the Environmental Studies Program and the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment at the University of Tennessee. It promises to address many difficulties journalists face on the environmental beat.

Panel topics include environmental law and policy, coverage of the recent coal-ash spill in nearby Roane County, "The Energy Beat: Coal in Appalachia" and "Introduction to Environmental Issues in Southern Appalachia." Jim Detjen, Director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University, will deliver the keynote speech. Fees: $15 for SPJ members, $20 for non-members, $30 at the door, all including lunch. For more programming details and online registration, click here.