I don’t get excited about independent evaluations.
That’s what I used to think—until one conducted last year on our tropical forests reporting yielded some eye-opening findings.
An independent evaluation recently reviewed our work on tropical forest reporting, interviewing 38 stakeholders and analyzing data from over 600 survey respondents. The results were compelling and reinforced the impact of our efforts.
Some key takeaways:
- 74% of respondents use our insights to guide their personal and professional choices.
- Among our contributors, 43% have a very favorable opinion of our organization, and 49% hold an extremely favorable view.
- 73% of the articles funded by us would “probably” or “certainly” not have been written otherwise.
The evaluation highlighted our niche in environmental journalism—consistent, in-depth reporting on issues that mainstream media often overlook. Our work has become indispensable to policymakers, scientists, and advocates who rely on credible information to make informed decisions.
One respondent summed it up well: “If I’m honest, I wouldn’t be able to find a replacement.”
Beyond informing decisions, our work has tangible outcomes: influencing policy, amplifying Indigenous voices, and holding powerful entities accountable. Whether it’s exposing illegal deforestation or informing legislative action, our commitment to high-quality journalism continues to make an impact where it matters most.
It’s encouraging to see this level of validation, and we remain committed to delivering reporting that drives meaningful change.
For those who have followed our work—thank you. Your engagement–and the decisions you make after consuming our stories–fuels our mission.
