Looking beyond borders for the best conservation opportunities in the Northeast

The scientists behind an innovative effort to identify and map a network of priority lands and waters across 13 states give voice to how this project will help change business as usual in conservation.

Music: “Por Supuesto” by Poddingtonbear, from the Free Music Archive, CC BY NC

Army of influence: The behind-the-scenes battle over health care reform

A computer-assisted reporting project on the revolving-door influence in health care reform, in collaboration with The Chicago Tribune newspapers and The Center for Responsive Politics. Students in Northwestern University’s Medill Washington program created a database of the former staff and members of the Senate and House committees involved in health care reform, who now lobby for clients with health care interests.

Graphic: Health care’s lobbying army (PDF)

Elements of faith: A special report on religion and the environment

An in-depth exploration of how religious groups are addressing environmental issues as a matter of faith, examined through the lens of the four elements: earth, air, wind and fire. The project was funded by a grant from the Lily Endowment and distributed by the Religion News Service.