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
UW–Madison launches Sustainability Research Hub
March 14, 2024From Lab Work to Land Management
March 13, 2024Cultivating Connections
March 11, 2024Writing Science for the Public — In Action
March 4, 2024Meet Wisconsin’s New Assistant State Climatologist
February 26, 2024- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- March
- March 19
- March 20AOS Department Seminar - Taydra LowNew indirect estimates of North Atlantic thermohaline circulation2:30 PM, 811 AOSS, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Building
Also offered online - March 21Arboretum Land Care Spring News and UpdatesArboretum Winter Enrichment Lecture (in person)9:00 AM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
- March 21Weston RoundtableMental Carbon: the Toll of Climate Change on Our Sanity – and What We Can Do4:15 PM, 1163 Mechanical Engineering Building
- March 23Ecological Restoration Work PartyArboretum Core Area and Curtis Prairie9:00 AM, 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.