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
Director’s Cut
September 27, 2023Trekking with Tigers
September 20, 2023An Environmental Campus Walkabout
September 18, 2023Industry Revolution
September 14, 2023Turning Ditches into Rain Gardens
September 11, 2023- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- October
- October 4
- October 5Weston RoundtableMaximizing Co-Benefits of a Clean Energy Transition4:15 PM, 1163 Mechanical Engineering Building
- October 5Cultivate the Change You Wish to SeeArboretum Art and Environment Workshop6:30 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
- October 5Jordahl Public Lands LectureA Night with Baratunde Thurston7:00 PM, Shannon Hall, Wisconsin Union Theater, Memorial Union
- October 7Ecological 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.