Joan Meiners, PhD
@joanmeiners.bsky.social
🌵 Climate reporter (The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com)
🐝 Bee doctor (Ecology Ph.D. @UF)
🚴♀️ Outdoor athlete (runner, thruhiker, skier, former bike racer)
Listen. Be human. Fight bullshit.
https://www.azcentral.com/staff/5308605002/joan-meiners/
🐝 Bee doctor (Ecology Ph.D. @UF)
🚴♀️ Outdoor athlete (runner, thruhiker, skier, former bike racer)
Listen. Be human. Fight bullshit.
https://www.azcentral.com/staff/5308605002/joan-meiners/
For the nerds out there, this story also includes some original analyses and data visualizations of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' track record on environment-related bills in the first three years of her first term, as she begins campaigning for re-election.
February 10, 2026 at 6:31 PM
For the nerds out there, this story also includes some original analyses and data visualizations of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' track record on environment-related bills in the first three years of her first term, as she begins campaigning for re-election.
For the nerds out there, this story also includes some original analyses and data visualizations of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' track record on environment-related bills in the first three years of her first term, as she begins campaigning for re-election.
February 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM
For the nerds out there, this story also includes some original analyses and data visualizations of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' track record on environment-related bills in the first three years of her first term, as she begins campaigning for re-election.
Wait...are they putting a paywall of sorts on the White House website? We now can't read executive orders without signing up for Trump's email list?! Has anyone else run into this?
February 4, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Wait...are they putting a paywall of sorts on the White House website? We now can't read executive orders without signing up for Trump's email list?! Has anyone else run into this?
So much for AI knowing what I want and how to help. I have never once needed info about anime backgrounds or Persian cats.
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
So much for AI knowing what I want and how to help. I have never once needed info about anime backgrounds or Persian cats.
It feels strange to celebrate a front page these days. But today’s marks the end of our print run of my #ArizonaTrail series in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com.
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
January 25, 2026 at 9:17 PM
It feels strange to celebrate a front page these days. But today’s marks the end of our print run of my #ArizonaTrail series in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com.
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Bold to market this months ahead of time. Anything could happen in the next seven weeks, much of which is likely to bring us closer to fascism. Curious how he is going about preparing this talk when every day is something new.
January 23, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Bold to market this months ahead of time. Anything could happen in the next seven weeks, much of which is likely to bring us closer to fascism. Curious how he is going about preparing this talk when every day is something new.
This funding news is a relief but
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
January 10, 2026 at 3:58 PM
This funding news is a relief but
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
Never in my life did I think that someday the front page of one of the United States’ largest newspapers (10th-17th, depending on which list you consult) would be all about me riding my bike to report on climate change.
But today, it is.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
But today, it is.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
January 4, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Never in my life did I think that someday the front page of one of the United States’ largest newspapers (10th-17th, depending on which list you consult) would be all about me riding my bike to report on climate change.
But today, it is.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
But today, it is.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Today’s front page of The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com
(Landing the front page never really gets old…)
Story link: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
(Landing the front page never really gets old…)
Story link: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
January 3, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Today’s front page of The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com
(Landing the front page never really gets old…)
Story link: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
(Landing the front page never really gets old…)
Story link: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
In June, I spoke with Flagstaff's @trevorritland.bsky.social about his new book on his search for the golden toad, the first terrestrial species to go extinct from #climatechange.
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
December 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
In June, I spoke with Flagstaff's @trevorritland.bsky.social about his new book on his search for the golden toad, the first terrestrial species to go extinct from #climatechange.
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Video from the rainwater collector on this section, an essential addition to combating increasing heat and drought can be found here, with some mountain biking footage at the end :)
November 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Video from the rainwater collector on this section, an essential addition to combating increasing heat and drought can be found here, with some mountain biking footage at the end :)
Today, keeping up with my monthly series profiling Arizona #climate leaders (as I bike across the state), I have a story out about a man who found such fascination and species #biodiversity on an overlooked, remote rim that he gave it a name: the Mogollon Highlands.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
November 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Today, keeping up with my monthly series profiling Arizona #climate leaders (as I bike across the state), I have a story out about a man who found such fascination and species #biodiversity on an overlooked, remote rim that he gave it a name: the Mogollon Highlands.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
2nd weekly dispatch from my Arizona Trail ride to document #climate issues is live on @azcentral.com: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
It takes us from a shutdown Grand Canyon, through cougar habitat, across a dusty ranch with a questionable wind farm & up past Arizona’s high point into Flagstaff.
It takes us from a shutdown Grand Canyon, through cougar habitat, across a dusty ranch with a questionable wind farm & up past Arizona’s high point into Flagstaff.
October 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
2nd weekly dispatch from my Arizona Trail ride to document #climate issues is live on @azcentral.com: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
It takes us from a shutdown Grand Canyon, through cougar habitat, across a dusty ranch with a questionable wind farm & up past Arizona’s high point into Flagstaff.
It takes us from a shutdown Grand Canyon, through cougar habitat, across a dusty ranch with a questionable wind farm & up past Arizona’s high point into Flagstaff.
This video from the Arizona Trail is slightly too long to post here, but you can use the QR code below to see an on-trail post-fire botany discussion and footage of some miles through the #WhiteSageFire burn scar.
October 26, 2025 at 12:58 AM
This video from the Arizona Trail is slightly too long to post here, but you can use the QR code below to see an on-trail post-fire botany discussion and footage of some miles through the #WhiteSageFire burn scar.
Anybody know what would turn water this color? (In an Arizona forest.)
October 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Anybody know what would turn water this color? (In an Arizona forest.)
You can see more photos, videos and commentary on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/joan_bikes_a...
October 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
You can see more photos, videos and commentary on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/joan_bikes_a...
I'm riding my mountain bike on the 850-mile Arizona Trail this fall to see and write about #climate impacts along the way. We're publishing weekly dispatches from the trail in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com as I go.
The first one just dropped:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
The first one just dropped:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
October 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I'm riding my mountain bike on the 850-mile Arizona Trail this fall to see and write about #climate impacts along the way. We're publishing weekly dispatches from the trail in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com as I go.
The first one just dropped:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
The first one just dropped:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
On June 9, I filed a public records request with the Arizona Dept of Health Services. I was promised a reply in 10 business days...but got nothing.
Last week I published a story about how ADHS has fumbled their own data on heat-related hospital visits and won't share it.
Today I got this email.
Last week I published a story about how ADHS has fumbled their own data on heat-related hospital visits and won't share it.
Today I got this email.
October 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
On June 9, I filed a public records request with the Arizona Dept of Health Services. I was promised a reply in 10 business days...but got nothing.
Last week I published a story about how ADHS has fumbled their own data on heat-related hospital visits and won't share it.
Today I got this email.
Last week I published a story about how ADHS has fumbled their own data on heat-related hospital visits and won't share it.
Today I got this email.
Love when my climate stories feature propane ads...
September 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Love when my climate stories feature propane ads...
Thank you @coveringclimatenow.org for the "#Climate in every beat" award! I'm happy to see this collab btw @azcentral.com & @19thnews.org on the intersection of climate concerns + abortion access get recognized.
Award: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the...
Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Award: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the...
Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
September 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Thank you @coveringclimatenow.org for the "#Climate in every beat" award! I'm happy to see this collab btw @azcentral.com & @19thnews.org on the intersection of climate concerns + abortion access get recognized.
Award: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the...
Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Award: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the...
Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
I have a custom frame bag on order, but this is the basic setup on my Salsa Timberjack, @davidho.bsky.social. :)
September 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I have a custom frame bag on order, but this is the basic setup on my Salsa Timberjack, @davidho.bsky.social. :)
Today, as part of my series on local climate leaders, I have a profile of Phoenix’s Hazel Chandler, who — even at the age of 79 & while fighting terminal cancer — is making time to stand up against the Trump administration’s rollbacks of climate work and policy.
—> www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
—> www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
September 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Today, as part of my series on local climate leaders, I have a profile of Phoenix’s Hazel Chandler, who — even at the age of 79 & while fighting terminal cancer — is making time to stand up against the Trump administration’s rollbacks of climate work and policy.
—> www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
—> www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Heyo climate + outdoorsy folks!
I’m about to embark on a big reporting project & I’d love for you to follow along.
I’ll be riding my mtn bike across the entire state on the 850-mile Arizona Trail.
I’ll try to post here too but more updates & info can be found on IG @joan_bikes_arizona
Thank you!
I’m about to embark on a big reporting project & I’d love for you to follow along.
I’ll be riding my mtn bike across the entire state on the 850-mile Arizona Trail.
I’ll try to post here too but more updates & info can be found on IG @joan_bikes_arizona
Thank you!
September 6, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Heyo climate + outdoorsy folks!
I’m about to embark on a big reporting project & I’d love for you to follow along.
I’ll be riding my mtn bike across the entire state on the 850-mile Arizona Trail.
I’ll try to post here too but more updates & info can be found on IG @joan_bikes_arizona
Thank you!
I’m about to embark on a big reporting project & I’d love for you to follow along.
I’ll be riding my mtn bike across the entire state on the 850-mile Arizona Trail.
I’ll try to post here too but more updates & info can be found on IG @joan_bikes_arizona
Thank you!
For the 50th anniv (today) of Ed Abbey’s “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” I interviewed desert adventurer + climate scientist @ryantchoi.bsky.social about how the writer influenced environmentalism, the ways in which his legacy lives on & what Abbey might think about Trump
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
August 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
For the 50th anniv (today) of Ed Abbey’s “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” I interviewed desert adventurer + climate scientist @ryantchoi.bsky.social about how the writer influenced environmentalism, the ways in which his legacy lives on & what Abbey might think about Trump
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...