An overheard top down view of a road curving around lush greenery and a blueish green bay

About us

Vital Signs stories are inspired by the global nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. EDF finds the ways that work to build a cleaner, healthier world. 

Leslie Von Pless shooting for Vital Signs on a boat

Vital Signs journalists operate at the leading edge of environmental action to bring you authoritative, intelligent analysis and uplifting, solutions-focused journalism. Our stories are rigorously reported and independently fact-checked. 

We feature the people creating positive environmental change. We talk to farmers, fishers, businesses, lawmakers and frontline communities, as well as the world’s leading experts in environmental law, science, policy and economics, both within and outside EDF.

With clear-eyed reporting, helpful explainers, galvanizing videos, green living tips and more, Vital Signs helps you understand today's most urgent environmental issues and the power of practical solutions that can make life better, for everyone. From the heart of the rainforest to the depths of the oceans, we take the pulse of the planet to bring you stories that will make you think and give you hope.

Our policy on AI: A real person has written, edited, filmed or photographed everything you read and see on Vital Signs. Our content is not generated by artificial intelligence. 

Environmental news that matters, straight to your inbox

Meet the team

Elena Berryman headshot
Social media editor

Elena Berryman

An avid foodie, Elena enjoys the DC food scene and loves perfecting recipes. You have to try her birria chicken tacos.

Jordon Brown headshot — it kind of looks like he is saying the punchline to one of his phenomenal jokes
Digital Production Editor

Jordon Brown

If you read an article on this site, Jordon probably published it. He is a PhD dropout, lives just outside of Austin and loves comic books.

Tom Clynes headshot
Contributing writer

Tom Clynes

Tom is an award-winning environmental journalist. Curiosity has taken him to some of the world's most remote and intriguing places.  

Joanna Foster headshot
Contributing writer

Joanna Foster

After a few close encounters with safari ants in East Africa, Joanna redirected her career path from field biology to science journalism.

Liz Galst headshot
Writer

Liz Galst

An award-winning writer, Liz shepherds Vital Sign’s Go Green section. Besides parenting, swimming in crystal-clear lakes is her big thing. 

Colleen Jones headshot
Senior Project Manager

Colleen Jones

Colleen has been steering hydra-like projects to completion for over 20 years. Her superpower is smiling through it all. 

Sam Kennard headshot
Senior Web Developer

Sam Kennard

Sam is a budding gardener who has never met a plant that she hasn't tried to propagate.

Shanti Menon headshot
Editorial Director

Shanti Menon

Shanti has been a science and environmental writer for more than 25 years. She lives in New York City and enjoys leaving. 

Leslie Von Pless underwater with a snorkel and goggles and breathing apparatus on which is apparently her headshot
Senior Videographer/Photographer

Leslie Von Pless

Leslie scours the globe seeking stories that will help us build a better world. Her favorite place to be on the planet is underwater. 

Mohammad Shahhosseini headshot
Video producer

Mohammad Shahhosseini

Mohammad creates short documentaries and explainer videos. He has recently ventured into baking bread, although the results are not yet Instagramable.

Paula Trotto headshot
Photo Project Manager

Paula Trotto

Paula is a Webby-award winning visual content researcher, editor and producer. She has a capybara photo for (almost) every story.

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