Mongabay in 2023: A milestone year of growth and impact for environmental journalism

20 Dec 2023

Dynamic growth. Deeper reporting. Global impact. From nature’s frontline.

As Mongabay looks back on 2023, we celebrate a year marked by strategic growth and impactful journalism. Our journey this year has been one of deepening our commitment to environmental reporting and expanding our reach to inform and engage a global audience.

Innovative reporting

*Baby orangutan in Sumatra, Indonesia. Image courtesy of Rhett Butler.*

Our commitment to uncovering critical environmental issues was evident in our strong reporting throughout the year on a range of stories. For example, a three-part Mongabay investigation that revealed factories in Cambodia’s garment sector are fueling their boilers with wood logged illegally from protected areas elicited a response from the industry association, the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association of Cambodia (TAFTAC).

TAFTAC asked its members to avoid and reduce the effect resulting from the unsustainable use of wood and charcoal, acknowledging its impact on the environment. The statement was published and written about, with reference to the investigation, by the KiriPost.

Strategic growth and vision

*Mangroves, palm trees, and forest in Raja Ampat. Image courtesy of Rhett Butler.*

Finalizing our 2030 Strategic Plan was pivotal to charting our course for the future and aligns with our 30% growth this year as a team. Among others, this expansion bolstered Mongabay’s visual media, Indigenous news, and oceans desks, further elevating our goal of impactful environmental journalism.

Expanding our global presence

*An elephant in Cameroon. Image courtesy of Aristide Takoukam Kamla/African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization.*

The launch of Mongabay Africa stands as a significant milestone in our expansion. Bringing environmental news from the African continent in both French and English, this new bureau reflects our commitment to delivering diverse and independent journalism.

Celebrating achievements and recognitions

*Macaws in the Peruvian Amazon. Image courtesy of Rhett Butler.*

Mongabay was honored with the prestigious 2023 Biophilia Award for Environmental Communication. Our journalists also shone brightly, receiving various honors like the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) Award, the Society of Publishers of Asia (SOPA) Award, and SEAL Environmental Journalism Awards, underscoring the quality and impact of our work.

Building capacity for journalists

Throughout the year, our webinar series played a crucial role in equipping journalists with essential skills to report on complex environmental issues. We are also expanding our fellowship program for French-speaking journalists in West and Central Africa.