Anita Berry Martin grant will fund Fort Worth Star-Telegram environmental reporter
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has received a $15,000 grant from the Anita Berry Martin Memorial Fund at the North Texas Community Foundation to support a reporter who will cover environmental issues related to growth.
The reporter, Haley Samsel, has been hired by the Star-Telegram through a partnership with Report for America, a nonprofit program that helps provide coverage of under-reported topics and communities. Report for America provides a portion of the reporter’s salary, the Star-Telegram provides a portion of the salary and is expected to raise a portion from the community and philanthropic sources.
Anita Berry Martin was born and raised in Texas and went on to a successful career as a computer programmer, systems engineer and computer systems designer in California, according to an obituary published in the Star-Telegram. She later moved back to Texas and lived on a ranch near Aledo, where she raised Arabian horses. She died in 2008 at the age of 72.
“Anita Berry Martin treasured wide open spaces,” said Rose Bradshaw, president and chief executive officer of the North Texas Community Foundation. “As stewards of this fund established in her honor, the North Texas Community Foundation is proud to support the Star-Telegram’s efforts to ensure all North Texans are aware of how smart growth strategies can protect valuable natural resources.“
Steve Coffman, editor of the Star-Telegram, expressed gratitude for the grant.
“We are honored that the Anita Berry Martin Memorial Fund and the North Texas Community Foundation were willing to consider this effort and that they see the importance of an informed citizenry as part of their mission,” Coffman said.
“Such partnerships are increasingly prevalent across the country as civic-minded businesses, foundations and philanthropists recognize the vital role independent local journalism plays in our society and our democracy,” he said.
The Star-Telegram has also hired a reporter, Kailey Broussard, to cover Arlington through a partnership with Report for America.
You may help support the two positions by making a contribution at www.star-telegram.com/RFA.