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
Latest News
Tia Nelson to be awarded honorary degree from UW–Madison
March 26, 2026
A Comprehensive Look at Wisconsin’s Climate-Change Outlook
February 26, 2026RISE-EARTH Lead and Headquarters Announced
February 18, 2026Guardian of the Green
November 4, 2025- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- March
- March 28Class: Phenology – Keeping Track of NatureArboretum1:00 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
- March 29
- April
- April 5
- April 9
- April 10Geospatial Data Science Speaker Series: Dr. Di ZhuSpatial Networks and AI for Social Sensing12:00 PM, 250 Science Hall
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.