About The Field & Shutter Press
The Field & Shutter Press is a digital publication dedicated to providing fact-based environmental journalism.
As newsrooms shrink or close, environmental and climate reporting across Ontario has faced significant reductions, creating a reporting gap. The Field & Shutter Press was founded to fill this gap, with a focus on Halton Hills and the Province of Ontario.
We aim to bridge the gap between local impact and provincial policy by combining on-the-ground reporting in Halton Hills with a watchdog presence at Queenâs Park. Weâre here to hold officials accountable and provide the facts you need to understand how legislation could affect the environment.
But weâre not just here for news of environmental doom and gloom. We also want to celebrate the beauty of Halton Hills and the Province of Ontario through storytelling, photo essays, field notes, and interviews with environmental experts, keeping you inspired by the natural wonders of our province.
The Field & Shutter Press is and always will be free to read. We believe environmental journalism is a public good and that everyone should have access to environmental reporting. Thatâs why we will never place our stories or content behind a paywall.
Our Mission & Intent
To combine impactful journalism with an appreciation for the natural world, aiming to hold those in power accountable while showcasing success stories, wildlife, and the nature that defines our province.
We aim to:
Investigate the truth behind land use, development, and policy decisions
Hold power accountable
Celebrate conservation success stories
Document and showcase the natural world through ethical, respectful photography
Make environmental and conservation news understandable
Deepen your understanding of nature
What to Expect When Subscribing:
When you subscribe to our newsletter, you will receive a roundup of everything we published that month, along with curated headlines. Itâs a blend of a newspaper and a magazine, delivered directly to your inbox. Youâll get just one email on the last day of each month from The Field & Shutter Press containing:
Month in Review:Â This section serves as both a letter from the editor and a recap of the month's highlights, including nature photography and top headlines.
Conservation & Wildlife News: Highlights local and regional conservation stories, covering efforts to protect endangered species and shifts in environmental policies that impact the natural world.
Stories from the Field: A collection of personal narratives, interviews, photo essays, and behind-the-scenes looks at nature photography.
Features & Investigations: In-depth, research-heavy stories and investigative journalism on topics such as wildlife protection, conservation, and environmental policy
Nature Know-How: Accessible, fact-based educational articles focusing on the ecology of the Halton Region and Ontario. It features species profiles, explainers, and photo essays designed to build your environmental and outdoor literacy.
Curated News: Each month, noteworthy conservation and wildlife stories from other publications across Canada and around the world are shared.
Funding & Independence
Right now, The Field & Shutter Press isn't externally funded; we're still figuring out the best path forward for that. However, our commitment to transparency remains absolute. We'll always disclose any financial contributions made outside of potential future reader subscriptions, and you can rest assured that all our content will remain free to read. We're dedicated to editorial independence and public-interest reporting, with our only agenda being to follow the facts. We welcome scrutiny and openly provide corrections.
Our Commitment to Ethics
We follow strict journalistic standards that prioritize:
Truth and accuracy
Fairness and balance
Source verification
Environmental and wildlife responsibility
See our full Journalism Code of Ethics.
The Editorial Team
Journalist & Editor: Greg Noakes
Greg Noakes is an independent journalist and nature photographer who founded The Field & Shutter Press. A former Animal Protection Officer, Municipal By-Law Specialist and Lead Investigator, Greg brings a unique blend of investigative skills and a deep passion for environmentalism to his reporting. His work focuses on uncovering facts and shedding light on environmental issues within Halton Hills and the broader Halton Region. Gregâs work has appeared in The Narwhal, Halton Hills Today & Burlington Today. Despite a physical disability, Greg is dedicated to covering important environmental issues as an independent journalist, committed to getting into the field when possible.
Editor: Hayley Reid-Ginis
Hayley Reid-Ginis is an accomplished journalist and editor. A High Honours graduate of Sheridan Collegeâs Journalism program, she was the recipient of the Sheridan Board of Governors Silver Medal for achieving the highest program GPA. Her other academic accolades include the Toronto Star Journalism Foundation Academic Excellence in Journalism Award and the Werden Leavens Award. Hayleyâs work, which highlights local issues, community voices, and civic life, has been published in the CBC, The Sheridan Sun, and the Burlington Independent.
Connect With Us
The Field & Shutter Press encourages community engagement and welcomes tips, story ideas, or potential guest contributions. Contact us
Follow The Field & Shutter Press on social media for updates and insights:
Instagram | YouTube | BlueSky
