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

Upcoming Events

  • May
    • May 24
      Scenic StrollArboretum1:00 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
    • May 24
      Frog Walkwith the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve1:30 PM, Picnic Point entrance kiosk, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000 University Bay Drive, Madison WI 53705
    • May 30
      Blue Moon Night WalkArboretum8:00 PM, Meet at Visitor Center, UW–Madison Arboretum
    • May 31
      Nature Hike in the Grady TractArboretum1:00 PM, Meet at Grady Tract parking lot (SE corner Seminole Hwy & W Beltline Frontage Rd), UW–Madison Arboretum
  • June
    • June 3
      Insects of the Preservewith the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve6:00 PM, Picnic Point entrance kiosk, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000 University Bay Drive, Madison WI 53705

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.

Make a gift today