Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Wisconsin State Journal Entry Title: Where have all the walleye gone? Before long, anglers may have to make do with bluegills Entry Credit: Chris Hubbuch Judge Comment: This is how you write about climate change: make it real to people who care about wildlife habitat. Superb writing and crystal-clear explanations about the impact of warmer water on Wisconsin’s cold-water fish populations highlight this excellent story about walleye, trout and bluegill. It comes complete with warnings about dire consequences as well as all-too-human wildlife authorities who teeter between accepting the climate-induced habitat changes and fighting against them. The best of a competitive field.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Journal Times Entry Title: The bees are back at Pritchard Park Entry Credit: Adam Rogan Judge Comment: It sometimes seems as though environmental issues are too big for a single person or community to tackle, but through the leadership of one volunteer, native plants gradually replaced invasive species and native wildlife returned, including a much-needed pollinator – the rusty-patched bumblebee. Rogan’s stories and the accompanying photo essay deliver a mood altering experience and a positive lesson for readers weary of doom and gloom and feelings of impotence when it comes to the environment.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Post-Crescent Entry Title: As Wisconsin's climate gets warmer and wetter, beloved winter activities could be in jeopardy Entry Credit: Madeline Heim Judge Comment: A well-written story on another threat posed by climate change in a traditionally cold-weather state: the possible damage to winter outdoor activities from shorter periods of heavy snow and thick lake ice. It’s not just fish that suffer.
Competition Comment: This was a competitive field of solid reporting on many aspects of the environment. I looked for strong enterprise, good narrative, solild science and clear statements of why the story mattered to a broad readershop.
