Mark Schleifstein, a founding member of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) and a retired, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, has been named the 2025 recipient of SEJ’s David Stolberg Meritorious Service Award. The annual honor recognizes an SEJ member whose volunteer service demonstrates extraordinary commitment to the organization and to environmental journalism.
“Mark's contributions to SEJ have been fundamental, foundational and exceptional and are deserving of the highest volunteer recognition, particularly at this time of his life. His star has shown brightly, well beyond the SEJ community, to the larger journalism community — but he has always carried SEJ on his sleeve for everyone to see.”
— Jim Bruggers, SEJ member, nominator
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| Mark Schleifstein |
A founding member of SEJ, Schleifstein served 14 years on the board and twice chaired the annual conference in New Orleans. For more than three decades, he mentored colleagues, led tours and SEJ conference sessions, and served as a trusted advisor to SEJ staff and board, a steadying force behind the organization’s growth.
Since 1997, he’s played an integral role as the moderator of SEJ-TALK, our community’s listserv, connecting and supporting hundreds of members — with patience, wit and a commitment to elevating environmental reporting across the field.
Schleifstein joined The Times-Picayune in 1984 and spent four decades covering hurricanes, coastal loss and environmental resilience. His reporting during and after Hurricane Katrina helped earn 2006 Pulitzer Prizes for Public Service and Breaking News, the George Polk Award for Metropolitan Reporting and recognition from the American Geophysical Union. He co-authored the 2006 book Path of Destruction: The Devastation of New Orleans. Earlier series such as “Oceans of Trouble” (1996), “Washing Away” (2002) and “Unequal Opportunity” (2001) earned national awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, the Gerald Loeb Award and the ASCE Excellence in Media Award. He also received the Governor’s Award from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation for his contribution to environmental protection.
Schleifstein has given generously of his time to help other journalists tell better stories, including at the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk. He also serves on the advisory board of SciLine at AAAS and remains active with the Press Club of New Orleans, where he is a past president and lifetime achievement honoree.
SEJ proudly honors Mark Schleifstein with the 2025 David Stolberg Meritorious Service Award, with gratitude for his enduring contributions, leadership and generosity of spirit.
Volunteers power SEJ. Members organize conference tours and panels, help run the awards program, contribute to SEJournal, mentor colleagues and serve on committees including the Freedom of Information Task Force. SEJ thrives because members give their time and talent in service to this community. To get involved, see ways to volunteer with SEJ.
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