Study here.
Change the world.

We’re confronting environmental challenges through transformative research, by bridging classrooms and communities, and forging partnerships locally and globally.

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 for a Better Future

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.

Nelson News and Events

Upcoming Events

  • July
    • July 5
      Family Nature WalkArboretum1:30 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
    • July 11
      Ecological Restoration Work PartyArboretum Curtis Prairie Area9:00 AM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
    • July 12
      Nature HikeArboretum1:00 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
    • July 14
      Willow Creek Expeditionwith the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve11:30 AM, Bridge at Linden Drive over Willow Creek (2023 Observatory Drive)
    • July 15
      Dragonfly WalkArboretum1:00 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum

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.

Make a gift today