Journalism majors and journalists have the chance to learn more about the environment at MSU.

Starting Tuesday, the fifth annual Great Lakes Environmental Journalism Training Institute, a four-and-a-half-day workshop, will be held for journalists to learn about environmental issues.

“The conference will focus on environmental journalism and teaching the most recent climate changes on the Great Lakes region,” said Jim Detjen, director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at MSU.

Detjen said journalists will have the chance to attend speeches on environmental issues, learn how to use computers to do research and meet experts in the field of environmental journalism.

“The people who participate said they have learned a lot,” said Detjen, who is also a journalism professor.

Barb Miller, Detjen’s assistant, said the workshop will provide plenty of information for participants to walk away with.

“From this particular (conference) they will come out of it with different story ideas and sources,” she said.

Miller said the major subjects of the workshop will be climate change, exotic species and urban sprawl.

“Basically most of the time the people who come out of it have too much information, but they also have great story ideas,” Miller said.

Kristen Tuinstra, an environmental journalism graduate student, said she feels the conference will provide her with great sources and is anticipating the events visitors can participate in.

She said one particular point of fascination with her is climate change.

“That is something that isn’t reported on much in the U.S.,” Tuinstra said.

The effects on the Great Lakes area is an important factor for her as a Michigan resident, she said.

“This is an issue for Americans and it is something that is not focused on. I think in the next 10 to 20 years it will change,” Tuinstra said.

A few open spots still remain. Interested students should contact Jim Detjen at 353-9479 or Barb Miller at 432-1415.