Author: James Edward Mills

Africa, Breaking News, Climbing, Environmental Journalism, Environmental Protection, Ethiopia, Manic Media Monday, Photography / 14.02.2011

It’s good to finally be caught up. After months of road trips, foreign travel and writing projects this Monday morning I suddenly find myself at the top the news cycle ready to take another lap. Now that Season Three of the Joy Trip Project is well underway it’s time to start taking a look around the world of adventure see what’s going on. Here are six stories to watch this week: Imagine One Day Opens Registration for Ethiopia Tour 2011:   [caption id="attachment_4575" align="alignright" width="368"] Majka Burhardt setting new routes in Ethiopia[/caption] If...

Assignment Earth, Climate Change, Environmental Journalism, National Parks, Video / 03.02.2011

A love of backcountry skiing explains David Gonzales’ obsession with white bark pines. A writer and photographer, he spends a lot of time beneath these ancient trees. But the white barks are under attack. And that has this skier marshaling forces to fight back. Once the snow melts, he leads volunteers called Tree Fighters into the forest surrounding Yellowstone National Park. Tree Fight is an organization that is working to curb the loss of white bark pines due to the escalating impact of climate change. Scientists say rising temperatures have opened the door to a mountain pine beetle invasion. White barks live at the highest, harshest elevations in the northwestern United States and Southwestern Canada. Extremely cold temperatures used to keep this native pest at lower elevations. Now these beetles are capitalizing on warmer temperatures, killing white barks at a staggering rate. Tree Fight aims to stop them.
Snow / 02.02.2011

Reports are coming in from survivors of the recent snowstorm in Chicago. Joy Trip Project friend, fan and now correspondent Geoff Burton sent this writer’s notebook. It's been twenty hours since the Storm of the Millennium targeted and devastated the once mighty city of Chicago. Rations are few as all grocery stores were ravaged yesterday afternoon. My own supplies are nearly depleted - I only have two bags of jelly beans and three 1-pound bags of Boston Baked Beans left. Fortunately essential supply outlets managed somehow to stay open: Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds and Starbucks. It is rumored that Chipotle Grill will open soon.
#ORWinter, Climate Change, Environmental Protection, Interview, Outdoor Recreation, Podcast, Skiing, Skiing / 31.01.2011

[caption id="attachment_4544" align="alignleft" width="311"] alisongannett.com[/caption] There are plenty of people out there talking about climate change. But how many are actually doing something about it. Even those of us who spend a lot of time outdoors can be guilty of contributing to the destruction of the natural environment we love. We fly in jets from place to place for the sake of adventure. And many of us are still driving low gas mileage carbon emitting SUVs. Our active lifestyles can put a really hurting on the planet. So that’s why we can all  take a few lessons from professional skier and environmental advocate Alison Gannett.
Bikes, Breaking News, Cycling, Travel, Video / 25.01.2011

Photojournalists Morrigan McCarthy and Alan Winslow are heading out on another great cycling adventure. On the heels of their 11,000-mile bike around America called Project Tandem, the two once again are riding and recording the ideas of the many people they meet along the way. Last time they collected the thoughts of average citizens in the United States on the issue of climate change. And this summer they’re going abroad to connect with young adults to get their view on life in our times. “We're leaving in July from Fairbanks, Alaska and cycling 30,000 miles around the world through more than 50 countries to document through photographs what life is like for twenty-somethings,” McCarthy wrote in an email. “We'll share the photographs and stories from the road through digital postcards on The Geography of Youth website.” Together known as the Restless Collective McCarthy and Winslow use still photography and audio recordings to tell the contemporary story of life on earth. By gathering the impressions of  young people this time they aim to paint a portrait from the perspective of  those who will shape the future. Making their way slowly across the land on bicycles they offer an intimate view of the world through the lives of ordinary people, each with a unique point of view.
Assignment Earth, Environmental Journalism, Video / 23.01.2011

Fossil Creek is a conservation success story. This river that flows through the Mazatzal Mountains of Central Arizona has been reclaimed for the preservation of species habitat and recreation for the residents of nearby Phoenix. The removal a dam built at the turn of the last century has made it possible for Fossil Creek to return to its natural state of pristine beauty. Unfortunately the influx of human visitors has put the newly restored Fossil Creek at risk. The impact of automobile and foot traffic, plus a proliferation of garbage could very well undo the scenic and ecological features that make this conservation land worth protecting.