The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is confronting global environmental challenges through imaginative research that transcends disciplinary boundaries, hands-on education that bridges classrooms and communities, and public programs that foster environmental conversations among people from business, government, academia, and advocacy.
Training Tomorrow's Environmental Leaders
The Nelson Institute values and is committed to a liberal arts and professional education, built on the premise that complex environmental issues can best be understood through familiarity with diverse perspectives, and integration of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Research That's Changing the World
Research drives the social and technological innovation needed to confront the challenges of a rapidly changing global environment. The Nelson Institute is a catalyst of imaginative research that combines skills and knowledge from the humanities, engineering, business, and law to the biological, physical, health, and social sciences.
We Embrace Diversity
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies embraces the critical importance of diversity and strives for a community that is supportive, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all individuals. Just as our environmental research, education, and service value a wide range of perspectives, our Nelson community is strengthened by the inclusion of historically marginalized people with a diversity of lived experiences and identities. We are deeply committed to working toward a sustainable future and facilitating culturally sensitive approaches to global environmental issues.
Nelson News and Events
Latest News
Holly Gibbs Recognized with Mid-Career Award
January 6, 2025A Painted Purpose
December 11, 2024Conserving the Kickapoo
December 9, 2024Celebrating Native November
December 5, 2024Paging the Community
December 3, 2024- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- January
- January 23The Ho-Chunk People: Planning for the Future with Lessons from the PastArboretum Winter Enrichment Lecture10:00 AM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
- January 26
- January 26Winter WonderlandFriends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve field trip1:30 PM, Picnic Point entrance kiosk, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000 University Bay Drive, Madison WI 53705
- January 30Saving Our Songbirds Together: Three Ways to Help at HomeArboretum Winter Enrichment Lecture10:00 AM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
- February
- February 2
Support the Nelson Institute
The Nelson Institute welcomes and is grateful for various forms of support – discretionary funds for our many programs, internships and mentoring opportunities for students, and introductions to new networks that can help advance our reach and build partnerships around Wisconsin and the world.