Welcome!

I’m an award-winning radio and print freelance journalist based in Oakland, California. I’m especially interested in science and environmental stories that explore not just the science itself, but the narratives, history, and values that shape how we interpret the science and make environmental decisions.

I’m the creator, producer, and host of How Wild, a KALW/NPR podcast about wilderness, how it’s changing, and what that says about us as humans. As of Fall 2026, the show has over 600,00 downloads, was recognized by a regional Murrow award, was highlighted by Apple and Spotify, and featured by such shows as All Things Considered, Science Friday, and 1A with Jenn White.

My other journalism work has been featured by outlets like The Boston Globe, High Country News, NPR, Latino USA, Reveal, The California Report, and Bay Nature.

I’ve been a part of many wonderful fellowships including the Scripps Fellowship at CU Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism, the UC Berkeley 11th Hour Food and Farming Journalism fellowship, and the USC Annenberg Health Journalism fellowship. The Northern California Society for Professional Journalists has honored me with awards in long-form and science reporting; a 2019 Public Interest Award for a series I co-reported about childhood lead poisoning; and the 2020 “Emerging Journalist” award.

I’m an editor for KALW Public Media in San Francisco, where I’m proud to work with KALW’s many training programs, including our nine-month Audio Academy professional audio journalism program. I’ve taught radio journalism to high school students, adults incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, and career-changing professionals.

I came to journalism after a decade of experience in environmental education and science. I’ve had some great jobs, from working as a whale tour guide on trips around San Francisco’s Farallon islands to conducting bird surveys in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest while armed with a grizzly bear rifle. I draw on this former work as a field biologist and naturalist in national parks and forest while now reporting on public lands.

In addition to being a journalist, I’m a daughter, sister, godparent, friend, backpacker, birder, dancer, and a voracious crossword do-er. I live at the intersection of many identities and I believe these intersections inform my work.

I’m currently available to freelance individual print and radio stories about wilderness, public land management, outdoor recreation, and birding, among other environmental and science stories.

Please be in touch at marissaortegawelch@gmail.com