Thank you for your interest in employment with Mongabay. We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Captured cycle: This page is retained for historical guidance. Confirm whether the program has reopened before planning an application.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Mongabay. We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

If you have landed on this page, the headline has already changed the most important thing for you to know: the 2026 English-language fellowship cohort on Mongabay’s official site is currently closed, and this page reflects what is currently confirmed. That does not mean the idea is meaningless; it means you should decide immediately whether to act as an applicant for this closed round or invest your time in preparing for other programs.

This article is written for readers who are not application specialists. It is designed to tell you, in plain language:

• What the Mongabay Y. Eva Tan Conservation Reporting Fellowship is and is not.
• Who it was intended for.
• What was officially available in the published 2026–2028 materials.
• What usually mattered in applications.
• Whether applying is worth your time now.
• What to do next if this specific round is closed for you.

It uses only information from official pages and the official program page lines that are publicly visible. Anything not clearly confirmed is avoided.

Quick status summary (read this first)

The official opportunity page says:

• The fellowship program is a fully remote six-month apprenticeship-style reporting opportunity.
• Each fellow receives $500 USD per month (a total of $3,000).
• Fellows create six stories over six months and work with Mongabay editors.
• The program expects about 10 hours per week.
• Applicants must be from low- to upper-middle-income tropical countries (high-income tropical countries are excluded).
• The listed 2026 English-language cohort is marked closed at the official page.
• Official pages also note that details for 2026 dates and application windows for other language programs may vary and should be checked directly.

If your main goal is to decide if this is relevant now, read on before spending time on application writing.

Overview

The Y. Eva Tan Conservation Reporting Fellowship is not a job in the traditional hiring sense and it is not a grant that pays for your team or field expedition.

It is best understood as a remote training-plus-publishing fellowship for early-career environmental reporters. The core design is practical: applicants write, edit, pitch, and publish work under newsroom mentorship over a fixed period. The intent is to convert potential into a portfolio with proof of process, not just intent.

The broader program structure, according to Mongabay, is multi-language:

• English-language fellows in the Global Bureau.
• Spanish-language fellows at Mongabay Latam.
• Bahasa Indonesia-language fellows at Mongabay Indonesia.
• Portuguese-language fellows in the Global Bureau.

The page states at least 34 fellows per year across these cohorts for 2026–2028, with language-specific numbers given. The English cohort includes a special mention of fellows focused on Southeast Asian ocean reporting. These numbers matter most for understanding scale and competitiveness, not for eligibility.

The value proposition is straightforward: you get editorial structure and a consistent production target (six stories), which is often more useful than a large one-time stipend if your objective is to become a stronger environment reporter.

At-a-glance details

What this opportunity offers

1) Time and structure for real reporting

For many freelancers and early reporters, the challenge is not idea quality but sustainable output. This fellowship’s structure answers that by forcing a regular rhythm: one piece on average per month over six months. That rhythm alone is often the most practical benefit, because many applicants struggle to prove consistency on paper.

If you get selected, you are expected to produce and refine at least six stories. That means you are not just pitching; you are publishing and getting repeatedly reviewed. Repeated review is where skill becomes visible.

2) Editorial mentorship from a dedicated team

The fellowship is editorially embedded. That is important. You are not only expected to submit copy; you are expected to iterate with editors. For early-career reporters, this can substitute for things that are hard to access elsewhere: line-by-line feedback, beat coaching, and reporting framing guidance.

The official material says fellows collaborate with multiple editors. In practice, this usually means more than one person contributes to shaping your reporting habits: sourcing, interview structure, explanation of methodology, and how to turn notes into publishable storytelling.

3) A portfolio that can carry forward your career

The fellowship is small and practical, which is why it is often valuable even though the stipend is not large. A published byline set tied to conservation and climate topics is frequently easier for hiring teams to evaluate than standalone writing samples. For some applicants, this is the strongest single career benefit.

4) Accessibility

The page explicitly says there is no education requirement and no university link. This reduces a common barrier. The program is open to aspiring journalists who can show the core ability to source, write, and follow through remotely.

5) Realistic constraints

This is not fully paid replacement work; the stipend is modest. The structure is better seen as partial support for reporting capacity, not as complete financial replacement. You should budget your own living expenses accordingly.

Who this was designed for

If you are deciding whether to chase this opportunity, start with your starting point:

• Do you already write environmental stories (or have unpublished but solid reporting pieces)?
• Can you work remotely for at least 10 hours per week for six months?
• Can you sustain a weekly reporting rhythm and meet deadlines?
• Do you come from or work in a low- or upper-middle-income tropical country?
• Can you produce your materials in the language required for your cohort?

If you can answer yes to all of those, the program is in the right lane for you.

This fellowship is not built for journalists who expect a full-time salary or someone who cannot commit to sustained output. It is for people who need a structured path into consistent, publishable conservation reporting.

Who should NOT apply (and why)

Not every motivated writer is a good fit. Save your time if:

• You need guaranteed visa-linked employment.
• You can only work erratically due to travel, study deadlines, or full-time commitments that conflict with 10-hour weekly output.
• You prefer one-off writing prompts rather than repeatable story development.
• You are applying only for compensation and do not want intensive editorial review.
• Your target cohort is unclear or your language and submission format are inconsistent.

That list sounds harsh, but this filter matters because most avoidable application frustration comes from mismatches.

Eligibility, explained clearly

From the official description and requirements:

1. Income-country requirement You must be from a tropical country classified as low- to upper-middle-income by the World Bank. High-income tropical countries are excluded.

2. Career stage The page explicitly frames this for aspiring/early-career environmental journalists.

3. Remote readiness You must be able to work remotely for around 10 hours per week.

4. No degree barrier There is no education prerequisite.

5. Language alignment English-language cohort materials must be submitted in English; other cohorts require their respective program languages as published.

6. Follow instructions exactly Applications that do not follow form instructions are risked being disqualified.

Practical way to confirm eligibility

Because this is the most common rejection reason:

1. Check your country status against the official country income classification used by the World Bank.
2. Confirm your fellowship target language.
3. Confirm remote work availability for six months.
4. Confirm that you can submit all required materials in required format.

If one of these fails, move on and track the next call instead of forcing a weak application.

How this application process worked

The official requirements page says the application asks for:

• basic contact details,
• motivation questions,
• and uploads for resume, cover letter, and one writing sample.

The cover letter prompts were explicit:

• How does environmental journalism fit your career goals?
• Why should Mongabay choose you?

The writing sample needed to be journalistic in style and reflect your best work, published or unpublished, ideally conservation-focused.

Selection process

Selections were made internally and applicants were to be notified at least three weeks before cohort start. The page also says applications were reviewed as they came in, so there was practical value in submitting early.

The page lists contact points for the English and Spanish fellowships via official email addresses at Mongabay. Those contacts are relevant if you already have a specific verified query and need official clarification.

Is this worth your time? A practical decision checklist

Because applications close and opportunities shift, a lot of applicants overwork themselves on stale or already-closed rounds. Use this quick framework:

Score yourself out of 12

Give yourself 1 point for each:

1. You have at least one strong sample with clear reporting elements.
2. You can commit 10 hours/week for six months.
3. You have reliable internet and remote workflow.
4. Your country status matches eligible country criteria.
5. You can submit cleanly in required language.
6. You can propose a realistic 6-story calendar.
7. You can write a cover letter around career goals and local reporting capacity.
8. You can provide a credible local source plan.
9. You can handle iterative feedback positively.
10. You can submit all materials before deadline.
11. You are not applying for compensation-only reasons.
12. You can accept that editorial direction may require major rewrites.

If you score 10–12, it is worth your time to apply. If you score 7–9, consider applying only if you have enough preparation time to close the gaps. If you score 6 or below, your best move is not to apply yet; build one or two publication-worthy pieces first.

Preparation steps (what to do today, even before applications reopen)

Even if the current round is closed, this is the exact practical path to be ready for the next open window:

Week 1–2: Build a credible sample portfolio

Assemble two or three current works, including at least one original investigation or report with named sources. If you do not have published pieces, produce one published-quality conservation piece with a clear source base and a correction path.

Week 3–4: Reframe your career narrative

Draft a short paragraph explaining:

• Why you report on conservation.
• Where your access is strongest (community, institutions, local officials, NGOs, etc.).
• Which beat you can sustain.

Do not write broad “I love nature” language. Use verifiable details.

Week 5–6: Simulate application structure

Create a practice cover letter in exact one-page format. Include:

• Your local or regional reporting angle.
• 2–3 potential story clusters for six outputs.
• A realistic source strategy and timeline.

Week 7 onward: Build readiness cadence

Set a weekly rhythm: one morning for monitoring stories, one hour for outreach, one hour for drafting. Consistency matters more than volume.

If you are already in the writing queue for an open round, compress these into 2 weeks and apply early.

Application process details (for historical round planning)

If a new application wave appears, you can follow this sequence:

Step 1: Confirm official status

Before collecting materials, open the official Mongabay opportunity page and verify whether the specific language cohort is accepted applications during the captured cycle. The title of this opportunity page currently signals no applications for this position.

Step 2: Prepare files exactly as specified

• Resume (1–2 pages).
• Cover letter (1 page maximum).
• One writing sample.

Step 3: Check deadlines and timing assumptions

Use the posted deadline and any cohort timeline. The current listed date in this record is February 1, 2026 for the relevant call, and notifications were said to come at least 3 weeks before start.

Step 4: Submit early

Applications were reviewed as they came in. Submitting earlier gives you a stronger chance of complete review if technical issues arise.

Required materials: how to prepare each piece well

Resume: tell your reporting story in 1–2 pages

Your resume should not be a full career autobiography. It should prove two things:

• You can report.
• You can keep pace.

Prioritize local reporting experience, field-relevant writing, multimedia basics, and language proficiency relevant to your target audience.

Cover letter: answer the two official prompts directly

Treat it as a direct response to the two required questions, not a generic motivation note.

Structure:

1. One sentence: who you are and what you report on.
2. One paragraph: what kinds of stories your background gives you access to.
3. One paragraph: specific reason you fit the fellowship and what you need it for.
4. One closing line: confirmed availability and commitment.

Avoid generic statements such as “I am passionate,” without proof. Proof is the thing that gets you shortlisted.

Writing sample: best, not longest

Choose one piece that demonstrates:

• Reporting method (not just opinion).
• Clarity of structure.
• Source treatment.
• Strong lead and context.

If you upload unpublished work, present it with professional formatting and explicit sourcing. The sample should look like it belongs in a newsroom, not just a class submission.

What to include in your story plan

If you are still within an open or future cohort, the fellowship asked for six stories total. A practical approach is not six disconnected topics but one reporting thread with varied angles:

• Month 1: baseline problem story.
• Month 2: human impact with local voice.
• Month 3: policy or governance angle.
• Month 4: solution-focused feature.
• Month 5: investigation update or correction story.
• Month 6: reflective synthesis or future outlook.

This arc proves you can maintain continuity while still offering variety.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Treating the call as open when it is closed

The largest waste of time is applying to a closed or unannounced round. Always verify official page status first.

Fix: Build your file but pause submission until the site confirms open status.

Mistake 2: Missing the 10-hour reality check

Some applicants overpromise and underdeliver. A fellowship that requires six stories in six months is realistic only for people with structured time.

Fix: Before you apply, block your weekly schedule.

Mistake 3: Ignoring format limits

One-page cover letter and 1–2 page resume limits are strict in official guidance.

Fix: Build strict page drafts and trim before final upload.

Mistake 4: Weak sample choice

A flashy topic with weak sourcing underperforms a less flashy but stronger reported piece.

Fix: Pick the sample that proves your method.

Mistake 5: Unclear local relevance

Editors need evidence you can reach your chosen story environment and sources.

Fix: Mention concrete access, not abstract interest.

Mistake 6: Assuming education substitutes for work

There is no education requirement, which means lack of degree is not a barrier, and a degree is not a guarantee.

Fix: Emphasize reporting consistency instead.

Frequently asked questions (verified and non-verified answers separated)

Verified from official information

Q: How much is the stipend? A: $500 USD per month, total $3,000 over six months.

Q: Is this a paid position? A: It is a fellowship stipend structure, not a salary model.

Q: Is reporting remote? A: Yes. Work is remote and no office-based visa support is offered.

Q: How many stories are expected? A: Six stories over six months, about one per month.

Q: What are required documents? A: Resume (1–2 pages), cover letter (1 page), and one writing sample.

Q: Is there an education requirement? A: No.

Not confirmed in public official pages

Q: Do all language tracks follow the same application deadline? A: The official page says timelines and application details may vary by program. Check each specific track.

Q: Are rejected applications given detailed feedback? A: Detailed public feedback is not specified.

Q: Are interviews guaranteed in every round? A: Interview process is not specified in the published opportunity summary.

Where this opportunity is strong (and when to prioritize it)

This fellowship is strongest for:

• Early-career reporters building a conservation beat.
• Reporters in tropical regions who need guided growth.
• Writers wanting repeatable publication output.
• Candidates who can leverage local access and language depth.

It is weaker for:

• People needing immediate full-time salary replacement.
• Applicants with unstable internet or work continuity issues.
• Candidates who only want a one-off assignment.

In practical terms, this is a “career infrastructure” grant in journalism terms: it gives you proof of output and editorial structure over time.

What to do next if you can no longer apply this round

Since the official status is currently closed for this position, treat the remainder as a preparation block:

1. Keep all application materials in the required format so they are reusable.
2. Track official Mongabay language pages and notices for each cohort.
3. Publish or commission one strong piece in your target area every 4–6 weeks.
4. Build your source database (names, institutions, data points, public datasets).
5. Add one editor-recommended rewrite cycle for each piece.
6. Stay alert for calls from related opportunities at Mongabay or partner organizations.

If this round is closed, this is not wasted effort. The same packet and cadence are useful for future rounds and often transferable to other environmental reporting opportunities.

Official links

• Official fellowship page: https://mongabay.org/opportunity/the-y-eva-tan-conservation-reporting-fellowship/
• Mongabay contact references listed in official requirements:
  • Karen Coates: [email protected] (English language inquiries)
  • Dora Montero: [email protected] (Spanish-language inquiries)
• Original language fellowship entry points are shown on the official program page (English, Spanish, Bahasa Indonesia, Portuguese), and additional country-specific details may be posted there over time.

Final read-before-you-stop checklist

Before you do anything else with this opportunity, confirm these three facts from the official page:

1. Is the specific cohort currently open?
2. Are there updated deadlines and documents listed?
3. Do you meet country, language, and weekly time requirements?

If any one answer is no, pause application planning and convert this into a preparation cycle. If all three are yes, apply early and keep a clean, compliant package.

If you need a practical fallback action plan right now, the strongest move is this: preserve your best writing sample, rewrite your cover letter into the exact two required prompts, and schedule weekly reporting work in a calendar template you can actually keep. That gives you the highest probability of passing the first round when Mongabay or similar fellowships reopen.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

This fellowship is a hands-on newsroom apprenticeship, not a classroom lecture series. For six months you’ll work with Mongabay editors who assign and edit your stories, help you tighten reporting plans, and coach you on pitching follow-ups. The immediate, tangible benefit is regular publication: fellows are expected to produce six stories during their term, building a portfolio that editors at other outlets will take seriously.

Beyond bylines, the fellowship provides mentorship and practical training in environmental reporting. Mongabay has a history of supporting early-career journalists; past interns have gone on to staff positions at news outlets, communications roles at NGOs, and even roles at Mongabay itself. The editors will also help you refine techniques such as source-building, data use, ethical reporting on vulnerable communities, and, where relevant, covering biodiversity and ocean issues. If your interests lie in Southeast Asia’s oceans, note that several positions are reserved for that focus within the English cohort.

Financially, the stipend is modest but purposeful: $500 a month helps cover internet, phone calls, small travel expenses, and gives you breathing room while you report. The program’s design emphasizes accessibility — there’s no degree requirement — and it keeps the workload compatible with freelance or part-time commitments.

Who Should Apply

This program is for people who are serious about reporting on environmental issues and who are at the beginning of that career arc. If you’ve done a few published pieces, freelanced for local outlets, volunteered on communications work at an NGO, or produced strong unpublished investigative pieces, you fit the “early-career” mold. You don’t need a journalism degree; what matters is storytelling skill, curiosity about conservation topics, and the discipline to meet deadlines.

Applicants must be based in, and nationals of, tropical countries that fall under the World Bank’s low- to upper-middle-income classifications. High-income tropical countries such as Singapore and Australia are excluded — check the World Bank list early to confirm eligibility. Examples of ideal candidates: a freelance reporter in Ghana writing about marine plastic impacts; a recent graduate in Peru covering smallholder agriculture and biodiversity; a community radio reporter in Indonesia documenting mangrove restoration. If you’ve produced at least one journalistic-style piece (even unpublished), can work remotely, and can commit around 10 hours per week for six months, you should apply.

This fellowship is also a good fit if you need editorial mentorship and published bylines to move from ad-hoc freelancing into sustained environmental reporting. It’s not intended for experienced staff reporters with extensive national/international bylines, nor for applicants who cannot reliably work remotely or meet weekly time commitments.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

1. Pick the right writing sample and polish it ruthlessly. Your single sample should show clarity, structure, and source work. If you have a published environmental piece, use that; if not, a tightly reported unpublished piece is acceptable. Edit for clarity: strong ledes, clear nut graphs, and named sources will impress editors more than flashy prose.

2. Use the cover letter to tell a career story, not your life story. In one page, answer two questions: how environmental journalism fits your goals, and why Mongabay should pick you. Lead with a specific example — a story idea you’re dying to report, or a community you can access — then show how the fellowship helps you get there. Mention concrete skills (interview languages, data skills, local contacts) that make you a reliable choice.

3. Propose a realistic reporting plan. Editors love applicants who can sketch six plausible story ideas or an evolving thread that yields multiple pieces. Instead of six disconnected topics, think of one or two thematic arcs. For example: start with an investigative piece on illegal logging, follow with human impact profiles, then a policy analysis and a solutions-focused story. Show timelines and potential sources.

4. Demonstrate feasibility and safety planning. If your reporting involves remote communities or risky beats, briefly explain how you’ll protect sources, obtain permissions, and handle travel or digital safety. Editors need to see you think through logistics.

5. Show you can meet deadlines. The fellowship requires regular output. If you have a track record of meeting editorial deadlines, outline it. If not, offer references or samples that show you can finish projects.

6. Local knowledge is gold. If you can read local documents, cite local NGOs, or name government contacts you’ve worked with, mention them. That signals you can hit the ground (or phone) running and produce reporting with depth.

7. Keep the application neat and on-spec. Follow the one-page and 1–2 page limits. File names should be clear (e.g., Lastname_Resume.pdf). Make sure your writing sample is in English for the English cohort. Applications that ignore the guidelines are often disqualified before anyone reads the content.

Taken together, these tips mean you’ll submit a tight package that answers the editors’ main question: can this person report useful, timely stories with minimal hand-holding?

Application Timeline (Work Backwards from Feb 1, 2026)

Start six weeks before the deadline if possible. Week 6: Confirm eligibility by checking the World Bank country list and decide which language cohort fits you. Week 5: Select and finalize your writing sample; get at least two trusted readers to review. Week 4: Draft your cover letter and sketch six story ideas or a multi-story arc; reach out to potential references or sources to confirm they’ll help if you win. Week 3: Finalize resume, format files, and ensure sample meets the style expected by Mongabay (journalistic, sourced). Week 2: Perform final edits, check file sizes and uploads, and have a colleague do a final pass for clarity and grammar. Submit at least 48 hours early to avoid last-minute tech problems.

If you have more time, use it to produce a stronger writing sample or to publish a short piece that demonstrates recent reporting chops. A fresh byline can tilt a close decision in your favor.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

You’ll upload three items: a resume, a one-page cover letter, and a writing sample. Keep formatting simple — PDF is safest. Your resume should be one to two pages and focus on relevant experience: reporting, internships, multimedia skills, languages, and local contacts. Don’t include long personal bios or irrelevant job history unless it shows transferable skills (e.g., data entry, community outreach).

The cover letter must be a maximum of one page. Start with a sharp opening sentence that defines your interest and capability. Briefly describe a specific reporting plan (one to three paragraph sketch), explain why this fellowship matters for your career, and close with a short statement on your availability (10 hours/week, remote). Avoid generic phrases; give names and details where possible.

The writing sample should be in a journalistic style and reflect your best reporting. If it’s unpublished, format it like a published piece with a headline, lede, and proper sourcing. If using published work, include a link and a PDF if the outlet allows. Make sure the sample showcases reporting depth rather than just opinion.

All English-cohort materials must be in English. Follow file naming rules and the application form instructions exactly; applications that don’t comply risk disqualification.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Exceptional applications do three things well: demonstrate craft, show local access, and propose feasible story production. Craft is shown by crisp writing, a clear narrative arc, and named sources in your sample. Local access means you can actually reach people who will speak on the record and provide documents or data; name those contacts or describe how you’ll reach them. Feasibility shows you can complete six stories in six months without burning out — present a weekly plan or a three-phase schedule.

Editors also look for curiosity and persistence. A candidate who shows long-term commitment to environmental reporting — through past projects, training, or community work — gets priority over someone treating this as a one-off stipend. Finally, applicants who propose stories that fill a clear gap in Mongabay’s coverage (for instance, a regional ecosystem or an underreported socio-environmental issue) will grab attention. Think depth over breadth: a tight theme you can stretch into multiple strong pieces beats six shallow ideas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

1. Ignoring eligibility. Double-check your country’s World Bank classification. If your country is excluded, don’t waste time applying. If you’re unsure, save a screenshot of the World Bank page and include it in your prep notes.

2. Submitting a weak or irrelevant writing sample. Fix it by choosing one piece that best shows your reporting ability. If necessary, write a short, well-documented feature specifically for this application.

3. Vague cover letters. Editors want specifics. Replace vague ambitions with a brief plan and named sources or communities.

4. Overpromising. Don’t commit to six investigative projects that require long FOIA waits. Offer a mix of feature, enterprise, and quicker reporting pieces.

5. File and format errors. PDFs with odd fonts, wrong file names, or exceeding page limits are common rejections. Export to PDF, check the file on another device, and keep names clear.

6. Last-minute submissions. Applications uploaded under pressure often have broken links or missing pages. Submit at least 48 hours early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can students apply? A: Yes. There’s no academic requirement. If you’re a student, make sure your schedule allows the 10 hours/week commitment and frame your cover letter around how the fellowship advances your reporting practice.

Q: Do I need to be published? A: No, but you must provide a journalistic-style writing sample. An unpublished, well-reported piece is acceptable if it shows reporting skill, structure, and sources.

Q: Are applicants from high-income tropical countries eligible? A: No. High-income tropical countries like Singapore and Australia are excluded. Check the World Bank classification early.

Q: Will the fellowship pay for travel or equipment? A: The stipend is modest and intended to help cover reporting-related costs, but it won’t fund major travel or expensive equipment. Plan stories that are feasible with limited funds or that rely on remote reporting and local contacts.

Q: Will fellows get bylines and external credit? A: Yes. Fellows publish stories with Mongabay and gain bylines and editorial mentorship.

Q: Are there follow-on opportunities after the fellowship? A: Many past interns have moved into paid positions at outlets and NGOs. Use your fellowship to build relationships and a portfolio you can show future employers or funders.

Q: Is the stipend taxable? A: Tax rules vary by country. If you win, check local tax obligations with an accountant or your institution.

Next Steps — How to Apply

Ready to apply? Prepare your resume, one-page cover letter, and writing sample well ahead of the February 1, 2026 deadline. Double-check that you meet the country eligibility requirement on the World Bank site, and ensure all English-cohort materials are in clear, edited English.

When your materials are ready, visit the application form here: https://form.jotform.com/242843950588368

Checklist before submit:

• Confirm your country is eligible (World Bank classification).
• Finalize writing sample and proofread it aloud.
• Tighten cover letter to one page with concrete story ideas.
• Save files as PDFs and use clear filenames (Lastname_DocType.pdf).
• Upload at least 48 hours before the deadline.

If you get in, expect editorial feedback, deadlines, and an opportunity to produce six meaningful pieces while being paid a small stipend. It’s a practical, career-forward apprenticeship that rewards curiosity, good reporting instincts, and the discipline to turn research into readable stories. If you’re serious about environmental journalism and you meet the eligibility, don’t let the modest stipend fool you — this fellowship can be a powerful stepping stone.

check the official source

Ready to apply? Visit the official application form: https://form.jotform.com/242843950588368

For full program details and any updates, check Mongabay’s fellowship page and the application link above. Good luck — and write like the creatures and communities you cover depend on it (because they do).