Wyoming Public Radio News has been awarded a 2019 National Edward R. Murrow award in the small market category for Best Use of Sound. It was for Cooper McKim's story, Scientists Race To Research Stonefly Species Threatened By Climate Change.
The piece follows a group of scientists on a field expedition up and down a mountain in the Teton Range in search of answers. The "Alpine Stream Dream Team" is collecting the basic natural history of a glacial stonefly sensitive to warming water temperatures. The species survival could help inform scientists about its entire ecosystem's health.
McKim covers energy and natural resource issues and said he wanted the story to feel like an adventure.
"To do that, I made sure each scene had a unique ambient sound, along with casual remarks from the scientists to hold listeners in the moment. I'm thrilled the diverse sound and candor from the scientists helped tell this important and continuing story," explained McKim.
Wyoming Public Radio News Director Bob Beck praised McKim's work.
"When I first heard the story it sounded like I was on the adventure with them. Cooper does a tremendous job with this story and it deserves this prestigious honor. We are all thrilled for him. We've had several regional wins over the years and it's exciting to finally have one of our great reporters win the top prize," said Beck.
The National Murrow Award winners will be honored at a black tie event this fall in New York City.
