MEDIA LAB
(8 AM Bogota, 1 PM Accra, 8 PM Jakarta)
Hosted by:
Forests are everywhere, standing tall for climate action, economic stability and human well-being. Yet, they remain at risk – often misunderstood, sometimes overlooked and always essential.
Communicators play a crucial role in decoding the science, revealing hidden narratives and making forest stories resonate with diverse audiences.
During this two-day media lab, experts guided participants through crafting compelling stories that connect people and forests, harness technology and data, and navigated audience engagement.
Held between GLF Forests 2025 and Forests, People, Planet, and in the buildup to the decisive climate COP30, the lab sharpened participants’ skills in working with scientists and creating powerful forest stories.
AGENDA
- 13:00–14:30 UTC
DAY 1
7 May 2025
Why a Media Lab on forests?
Making forests matter to younger audiences
Panel and Q&A
How do we bring forest stories to life for younger audiences? Storytelling experts will share what works, from social media to traditional newsrooms. Kiyo, Business and Climate Reporter and “Planet A” Lead at Deutsche Welle (DW); Yunanto, Science Journalist and Visual Interaktif Kompas (VIK) Manager at Kompas; and Andrea, Social Media Specialist at the GLF, explored impactful angles, formats and language choices that make forest stories engaging and relevant. They also discussed how to highlight positive narratives, create content directly from forests, fact-check content and manage story production in teams of any size.
Bridging journalism and science
Discussion and Q&A
In an informal exchange, Paula Díaz Levi, General Editor – Latin America at Climate Tracker; Beria Leimona, Theme Leader – Climate Change, Energy & Low-Carbon Development at CIFOR-ICRAF and Eden, Multimedia Editor at ThinkLandscape unpacked the art of collaboration. They discussed tackling misinformation, uncovering unexpected forest stories and connecting forests to climate narratives. Discover how science and storytelling can work together to make forest issues more accessible and compelling.
DAY 2
8 May 2025
From figures to forests: Data in storytelling
Demo and Q&A
Explore how data from scientists and communities can enrich fact-based storytelling, from in-depth investigations to quick snapshots. With Felix, Head of Media at Odipo Dev; Tor-Gunnar, Head of Spatial Data Science and Applied Learning Lab at CIFOR-ICRAF; and Ava, Associate Editor at ThinkLandscape, learn how dashboards, satellite imagery, AI and data visualization help uncover new angles, enhance reporting, navigate safety or budget constraints, strengthen investigations and fact-check information.
Ideate and pitch impactful forest stories
Expert tips and Q&A
The Pulitzer Center grantees Elodie Toto, Central Africa staff writer at Mongabay Africa; Paritta Wangkiat, editor-in-chief of The Mekong Eye; Rob Soutar, Environment Editor at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ); and Pê Magalhães, the GLFx Latin America & the Caribbean Hub Officer, shared how to craft, pitch and publish compelling forest stories. Drawing from their experience in editorial leadership, investigative reporting and fieldwork, they guided participants on how to shape story angles, use data effectively and structure stories for high impact.
What's next? Forest content resources and a small grant opportunity
After attending the Media Lab, journalists and content creators received quick references to fact-based content on forests and were invited to submit story ideas for a chance to win a small grant and guidance to produce their stories. Learn more below!
MEET THE SPEAKERS
-
Social Media Specialist
Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) -
Associate Editor and Reporter
ThinkLandscape, Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) -
Theme Leader – Climate Change, Energy & Low-Carbon Development
CIFOR-ICRAF -
Multimedia Editor
ThinkLandscape, Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) -
Central Africa staff writer
Mongabay Africa -
Head of Media
Odipo Dev (Africa Data Hub) -
Media Relations Coordinator
Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) -
Business and Climate Reporter, and "Planet A" Lead
Deutsche Welle (DW) -
Editor-in-chief
The Mekong Eye -
GLFx LAC hub Officer
Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) -
General Editor - Latin America
Climate Tracker -
Environment Editor
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) -
Principal Scientist, Head
CIFOR-ICRAF -
Science Journalist and Editor at Kompas.com
Kompas.com
THE FOREST STORY GRANT
Journalists and content creators: do you have a forest story to tell? We want to support you!
Who is this grant for? Journalists and social media content creators who attended the Media Lab, have a proven track record of relevant publications and an active platform or engagement with an outlet, and have never been part of a GLF program except the Social Media Ambassadors program.
How to apply: Submit a 250-word pitch outlining your original forest story idea by 30 May. Include key angles, the proposed format and a distribution plan. You are invited to apply in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese. The application form will be sent to you by email on 9 May.
What grants are available?
- Journalistic story (USD 500). Format: Written, audio (radio/podcast), audiovisual or visual-only. Must feature insights from at least one of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)’s network changemakers (Restoration Stewards or GLFx chapters). The distribution plan should include potential cross-publication on ThinkLandscape.
- Social media story (USD 200). Format: 60–90 second video. The story should expand on themes from GLF Forests 2025 or to be addressed at Forests, People, Planet and be published as a collaborative post across your platforms and the GLF’s social media channels.
What does the grant include? The journalistic report will receive USD 500 and editorial guidance from the ThinkLandscape team if the story is to be published on the platform. The social media reel will receive USD 200 and guidance from the GLF social media team. Payment will be made upon publication. Your story must be published no later than the start of COP30 (10 November).
The application deadline is 30 May. Finalists will be announced by 21 June. The grant may be declared void if none of the proposals are considered viable.
Questions? Contact Kelly Quintero at k.quintero@cifor-icraf.org and media@globallandscapesforum.org.
Add to Calendar
