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 Are the Wisconsin Idea
At the Nelson Institute, we strive to create sustainable communities across complex institutional landscapes for enhancing the quality of life and the environment in Wisconsin and the world.
It all starts with people and communities, and we are deeply committed to fostering and sustaining community partnerships in education, research, and service, both locally and internationally.
Nelson News and Events
Latest News
Everyone’s Earth lecture discusses enslaved people’s mobility
November 11, 2022
Back in Bangladesh, EC Alumna Uses New Skills
November 11, 2022Environmental Advocacy in Action
November 10, 2022The Best Laid Plans
November 9, 2022Advocating for a Shared Future
November 8, 2022- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- November
- November 30CHE Environmental Colloquium – Hurricanes Amidst the Great Depression: Agrarian Reform and Reconstruction in Puerto RicoSpeaker: Adrian Bermudez Perez, Master’s Degree Student, Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies; Graduate Associate, Center for Culture, History and Environment, UW–Madison12:00 PM, 140 Science Hall
- December
- December 1Weston Roundtable:WICCI Infrastructure Panel on Climate Change, Sustainability, and InfrastructureSpeaker: WICCI Infrastructure Working Group4:15 PM, 1163 Mechanical Engineering Building
- December 3Volunteer in the UW Lakeshore Nature PreserveHelp care for this beloved campus natural area9:00 AM, Frautschi Point parking lot on Lake Mendota Drive. On the 80 bus route.
- December 3Ecological Restoration Work PartyArboretum Wingra Oak Savanna9:00 AM, Meet at Arbor Dr parking lot (off Monroe St), UW–Madison Arboretum
- December 4