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
The Worlds of Mike Baron
March 24, 2023A Voice for the Wild
March 10, 2023CHE Graduate Student Symposium: Watersheds
March 10, 2023- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- March
- March 28Building a Circular Bioeconomy Ecosystem in WisconsinForward in Energy Forum4:30 PM, 1115 Wisconsin Energy Institute
Also offered online - March 28
- March 30Global Approaches to Sustainable DevelopmentArboretum Winter Enrichment Lecture (in person)9:00 AM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
- March 30Weston Roundtable – Interdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Resource Recovery and Carbon CaptureSpeaker: Kevin Orner, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University4:15 PM, 1153 Mechanical Engineering Building
- April
- April 1Ecological Restoration Work PartyArboretum Wingra Oak Savanna9:00 AM, Meet at Arbor Dr parking lot (off Monroe St), 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.