This award-nominated journalist specializes in unpacking how environmental, developmental, and health pressures intersect in the Pacific Northwest. Her work at Axios Seattle combines data journalism with community narratives, particularly focused on:
Successful story ideas typically feature:
Christine Clarridge has evolved from a crime-focused reporter at The Seattle Times to a versatile local journalist at Axios Seattle, where she now covers environmental issues, urban development, and community health trends. Her career demonstrates a unique progression from traditional beat reporting to solutions-oriented coverage of complex regional challenges.
Clarridge's 2025 investigation into Washington's declining wolf population combined ecological data analysis with interviews from ranchers, conservationists, and state wildlife officials. The piece stood out for its balanced examination of the tension between species protection and agricultural interests, featuring exclusive access to preliminary data from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's tracking program. Her reporting revealed a 17% population decline since 2022, sparking renewed debate about conservation strategies in the Pacific Northwest.
This 2025 health/environment crossover piece analyzed pollen count data from the University of Washington Allergy Clinic, correlating it with climate change models. Clarridge localized national climate trends through hyperlocal reporting, tracking how earlier blooms impact asthma hospitalization rates in King County. The article became a reference point for public health officials developing seasonal allergy advisories.
Clarridge's investigative report on abortion pill access combined public records requests with anonymized patient interviews, revealing a 300% increase in cross-state medication requests from Washington pharmacies. The piece demonstrated her ability to handle sensitive health topics while maintaining rigorous journalistic standards, earning recognition from reproductive rights organizations.
Clarridge prioritizes hyperlocal data that connects global trends to Puget Sound residents. Successful pitches should include Washington-specific climate metrics paired with human impact stories, similar to her analysis of pollen data in "Sneezy spring." Avoid broad national trends without clear regional application.
She examines growth tensions through multiple lenses - her wolf population piece balanced ecological concerns with rancher perspectives. Effective pitches might explore specific development projects affecting both wildlife corridors and housing needs, particularly in exurban King County.
Clarridge tracks how state policies manifest locally. The abortion pill story demonstrated her interest in medication access logistics. Pitches could explore challenges distributing new weight-loss drugs or implementing recent mental health parity laws at hospital systems like Swedish Medical Center.
"Clarridge's reporting makes complex policy debates accessible without sacrificing nuance." - Northwest Science Writers Association
While specific awards aren't publicly documented, her work is frequently cited in municipal policy discussions and used as course material at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy. Colleagues note her distinctive ability to synthesize technical environmental data with grassroots community impacts.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Environment, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
