Introducing 2024 FLBS Ted Smith Storytelling Intern Hayden Blackford

Hayden Blackford has spent is 2024 FLBS Ted Smith Environmental Storytelling Internship focusing a lens on bringing a documentarian-style approach to his internship. Hayden is a writer and visual storyteller who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Journalism from the University of Montana (UM). Originally from the Yellowstone area of Montana, Hayden obtained a degree from UM in Environmental Studies.

During his years as an undergraduate, he discovered the importance of reporting accurate and digestible information, and soon began working as a journalist for his local newspaper, The Livingston Enterprise. His work has since appeared in (among many other publications), the Daily Inter Lake, Outside Bozeman, the Idaho Capital Sun, the Lake County Leader, and KPAX-TV (Missoula, MT).

Through the use of visual journalism, Hayden hopes to translate the intersection of FLBS science and human experience into quality pieces of informative storytelling.