Logging, mining, and energy development have historically been major threats to ape populations worldwide. But does that have to be the case?

The Arcus Foundation’s newly published State of the Apes Extractive Industries and Ape Conservation explores and challenges the idea of development needs and conservation efforts being mutually exclusive. This Special Reporting Assignment (SRA) will explore the reconciliation of ape conservation and welfare with economic and social development, fleshing out case studies, key findings, and stories presented in the book as well as other examples.

The SRA Fellow will be expected to produce at least 15 articles, interviews, and media-rich blog posts for Mongabay.com centering on themes presented in the State of the Apes. The fellow will be encouraged to also sell resulting stories to third party media outlets, both mainstream publications and industry publications. Proposals will be evaluated based on applicants’ previous reporting experience on wildlife and conservation issues—previous reporting on great apes is a plus—and ability to write and publish a series of interesting and engaging stories during a limited time-frame.

Mongabay.org will commit $10,000 to fund the top proposal. The SRA Fellow will have three months to complete the pieces for Mongabay and can work from anywhere in the world. This SRA requires no travel.

The fellow’s stories will disseminated via our platform, including social media channels and will work with a Mongabay.com editor.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 6th, 2014
Application Email Address: [email protected]
Application Email Subject Line: STATE OF APES – APPLICANT NAME
Items to Attach

• Resume / CV
• Two previous writing samples (links to online work are acceptable)
• A letter of intent (1-2 pages – please don’t exceed 2 pages) covering: your experience with reporting, specifically on apes if applicable; reasons why you would be the best journalist for this assignment; and your potential to get pieces on these topics published by major media outlets.

Note: Applications must be submitted in English.

QUESTIONS
Contact Tiffany Roufs with questions about this SRA or the application process.