Andrew Reeves

From Field Reporting to Academic Inquiry

Andrew Reeves has crafted a unique career trajectory blending boots-on-the-ground environmental journalism with rigorous academic research. His early work with urban affairs publication NRU laid the foundation for examining how policy decisions impact natural systems, particularly visible in his award-winning coverage of Ontario's Endangered Species Act reforms.

"The story of Asian carp isn't just about fish - it's about how we manage entire ecosystems in the Anthropocene age."

Defining Works

• Overrun: Dispatches from the Asian Carp Crisis (ECW Press) - Longlisted for RBC Taylor Prize
• Investigative series on Great Lakes pollution for Alternatives Journal
• Groundbreaking analysis of Ontario's environmental policy shifts

Deep Dive: Signature Works

1. Overrun: Dispatches from the Asian Carp Crisis

This 328-page investigation traces the ecological domino effect triggered by invasive carp species, combining historical analysis with contemporary field research. Reeves conducted 127 interviews with biologists, policymakers, and commercial fishers across eight states, revealing how well-intentioned aquaculture initiatives spawned an ecological time bomb. The work stands out for its nuanced examination of the tension between economic interests and conservation imperatives.

2. Environmental Policy and Urban Planning

In this Alternatives Journal feature, Reeves analyzes Toronto's green infrastructure initiatives through the lens of climate resilience. The article introduces a novel evaluation framework comparing stormwater management systems in 15 North American cities, highlighting policy successes and implementation gaps. Municipal planners subsequently adopted several recommendations from this research.

3. Coverage of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act

Reeves' award-winning series exposed the economic pressures shaping environmental legislation, tracking how 63 species protections were weakened between 2013-2015. Through FOIA requests and policy analysis, he demonstrated the disproportionate influence of development interests on regulatory processes.

Pitching Recommendations

1. Focus on Policy Implementation Gaps

Reeves consistently examines the space between environmental legislation and on-the-ground results. Successful pitches should highlight specific case studies where well-designed policies fail in execution due to funding shortfalls, monitoring lapses, or conflicting regulations. For example, his Asian carp research showed how federal containment strategies were undermined by state-level enforcement variations.

2. Emphasize Interdisciplinary Connections

His work frequently bridges urban planning, ecology, and political science. Pitches connecting climate adaptation strategies to municipal budgeting processes or public health outcomes align well with his approach. The Alternatives Journal piece successfully tied green infrastructure investments to long-term healthcare cost reductions.

3. Propose Underreported Invasive Species Impacts

While Asian carp remain his signature subject, Reeves shows particular interest in lesser-known invasive species with complex economic ties. A successful pitch might explore the maple syrup industry's response to Asian longhorned beetle infestations or the horticulture trade's role in spreading invasive plants.

4. Highlight Canadian Contexts

Though capable of continental analysis, Reeves maintains strong focus on Canadian environmental challenges. Pitches should emphasize uniquely Canadian aspects of climate policy, particularly where provincial and federal jurisdictions intersect. His Ontario Nature coverage demonstrated this through analysis of species protection laws.

5. Utilize Historical Parallels

Reeves' work often employs historical context to explain current crises. Effective pitches might propose examining how 19th-century canal systems enabled invasive species spread, with modern parallels in shipping or aquaculture practices. His book's analysis of 1960s fish stocking policies exemplifies this approach.

Awards and Recognition

Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award (2014)

Ontario Nature's prestigious recognition of environmental reporting, awarded for investigative work exposing regulatory failures in species protection. The jury noted Reeves' "unflinching analysis of political pressures undermining conservation efforts."

RBC Taylor Prize Longlist (2019)

Canada's premier nonfiction literary honor recognized Overrun for its "masterful synthesis of ecological storytelling and policy analysis." The selection committee particularly praised the work's accessible explanation of complex limnological concepts.

Knight Science Journalism Fellowship (2021)

This MIT-based program selected Reeves for his innovative approach to explaining climate adaptation strategies. His fellowship research focused on data visualization techniques for communicating urban watershed management challenges.