The Transdisciplinarian
It would be easy enough to say that Alberto Vargas is an interdisciplinary scholar, teacher, and mentor.
The Gateway Bug
When it’s Valerie Stull’s turn to send snack to her preschooler’s school or gathering, she doesn’t send cookies or string cheese.
Every Pixel Tells a Story
Amintas Brandão Jr. started mapping roads in the Amazon as an intern.
At the Corner of Academia and Government
In Boston’s East Fenway neighborhood, a stretch of pavement in front of Whole Foods comes alive.
Nelson Institute Announces 2025 Alumni Award Winners
Nearly 8,000 Nelson Institute alumni work in government, business, and nonprofit organizations, applying their knowledge and skills to make the world a better and more sustainable place.
All Walk, No Talk
On January 18, 1971, two oil tankers, the Arizona Standard and the Oregon Standard, collided in the San Francisco Bay.
Charging Toward a Greener Future
What’s the best surge protector on the market? Which portable charger is going to last me the longest? How do I recycle batteries?
Turning Passion into Progress
When Tiffany Clark first started as an undergraduate student, she didn’t plan on majoring in environmental studies.
Six Things You Didn’t Know about Flamingos
On a fall day on campus, you might see sandhill cranes wading in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, house sparrows cleaning up by the food carts on Library Mall, and if you’re lucky, maybe even a pair of canvasbacks floating along the Lake Mendota shoreline.
Illustrating Prairie Ecology
While attending the Rhode Island School of Design for her undergraduate degree, Liz Anna Kozik became very aware of the fact that she was a Midwesterner on the East Coast.
Can’t-Miss Moments from Rendezvous 2024
Rendezvous on the Terrace, the annual gathering for alumni of the Nelson Institute, looks a lot different today than when it started.
Al Ritmo de la Confianza
“Este es un lugar al que realmente pertenezco”. Así se sentía Gloria Castillo Posada durante su infancia en Bogotá, Colombia.
The Speed of Trust
“This is a place I belong.” That’s how Gloria Castillo Posada felt as a girl growing up in Bogotá, Colombia.
Selling the Dream
It’s Friday night in Washington, DC’s Anacostia neighborhood. Laura Miller is outside washing her car as a neighbor stops by the yard to borrow a few hand tools.
Connect, Adapt, and Thrive
Anna Weinberg has called many different habitats home. From the rolling hills of rural Georgia to the towering mountains of Montana, she can adapt and thrive just about anywhere.
Scientific Service Provider
Naomi Louchouarn never wanted to work with water. In fact, during her master’s coursework in California where “every project was focused on either the ocean or the lack of water,” she says, “I was actively fighting working on anything water related.”
Confidence in Uncertainty
“You need to talk to Tracey Holloway,” Nelson Institute Dean Paul Robbins told Jeff Rudd.
Protect and Preserve
In Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in northern Laos, a boat of tourists quietly floats down the Nam Nern River.
On Time
If you get the chance to chat with Curt Meine, the man who’s become more or less synonymous with Aldo Leopold, you may be inclined to pepper him with “What would Leopold think about…” questions.
Nelson Institute Announces 2024 Alumni Award Winners
More than 6,000 Nelson Institute alumni work in government, business, and nonprofit organizations, applying their knowledge and skills to make the world a better and more sustainable place.
The Storytelling Side of Science
Surrounded by mangoes, Nyal Mueenuddin remembers his childhood as fun, sweet, and sticky.
Building a Sustainable Community
Imagine a community where people work together to preserve natural resources, protect their watershed, and learn about the importance of conservation.
Profiting Sustainably
In Kyle Tanger’s playbook, the best defense is a good offense.
Lights, Camera, Conservation
Pretend, for a moment, that you’re in the audience for Taylor Swift’s highly talked about Eras Tour.
An On-Track Diversion
If Travis Blomberg is successful, only 10 percent of UW–Madison’s waste will end up in a landfill.
EC Graduate and Board of Visitors Member Helps connect People to Urban Green Spaces
Hidden among the pavement and large buildings of many urban areas are small but sacred green spaces. From a young age Angélica Sánchez-Mora was able to appreciate both urban and rural living. Now, she works to help connect those living in urban spaces to the slices of nature around them.
A Welcome Return
Caitlin Williamson’s connection with the Nelson Institute runs deep, having graduated with the very first cohort of students to complete the environmental conservation (EC) master’s degree in 2015.
All Risk, All Reward
When Martha Goodell sat down in Science Hall for her first class as a Nelson Institute graduate student, she did as any new student would do — chatted with the person sitting next to her.
Alpha Advocate
As a kid, Francisco Santiago-Ávila had a plan to become a priest.
And the Award Goes to …
Nearly 5,000 Nelson Institute alumni work in government, business, and nonprofit organizations, applying their knowledge and skills to make the world a better and more sustainable place.
A Rendezvous to Remember
It was a night to remember as the Nelson community gathered for the first in-person Rendezvous event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Creating a Cleaner Future
Sustainability came into Ashok Sarkar PhD’97’s consciousness on a roof on a New Delhi summer night.
Sharing Credit Where Credit Is Due
When Robert Ribe was 17 years old, his mother handed him a book.
The Connector
Margaret Krome finds connections everywhere.
Leave No Trace
Every summer, typically at the start of August, downtown Madison’s sidewalks transform into junkyards — or, perhaps, thrift stores for the Hippie Christmas devout.
From the Catbird Seat
Megan’s special place was a tree. It was a big, old elm in Warner Park, where she spent the afternoons with Bird Buddies, her after-school group.
In the Shadow of the Old
“We’re building the new in the shadow of the old,” Keefe Keeley MS’14, PhD’21 mused as we meandered about the fields and woodlands of the Savanna Institute’s North Farm, five miles from Spring Green, Wisconsin.
WRM alumnus Jackson Parr is working to improve flood resilience planning in Wisconsin
As a journalist in Northeastern Wisconsin, Nelson Institute alumnus Jackson Parr often found himself writing about flooding and water quality issues.
New research by Nelson Institute Environment and Resources alum explores food choices and climate impact
Nelson Institute Environment and Resources alumna Clare Bassi led a new study, which was published recently in the Journal of Cleaner Production, as a master’s student.
A quarter century of leadership in the private sector reinforces the value of Nelson degrees for alumni duo
For alumni Binks and Judy Colby-George, the Nelson Institute is where it all began.
Alumnus Reynaldo Morales promotes environmental education and indigenous rights
Implementing strategic ways that universities can promote sustainable education, action, and social justice is a primary goal for Nelson Institute alumnus, Reynaldo Morales.
From internship to full-time position, WRM graduate continues hydrology work at USGS
Growing up in Vilas County, Wis., Water Resources Management (WRM) graduate Robert Rosner said his interests have always revolved around being outdoors.
Board of Visitors member Ashley Lee works to expand environmental justice opportunities
The Nelson Institute strives to be an inclusive community working to identify equitable and socially just environmental solutions.
WRM alumna coordinates flood resilience and mitigation efforts in Green Bay watershed
Nelson Institute alumna Kayla Wandsnider is taking an environmental approach to urban planning.
Nelson Institute E&R alumna improves global food security through data science
Using satellite data to expand sustainable farming is just one of the ways that Nelson Institute alumna Aparna Phalke is helping to improve global food security.
Nelson Institute alumnus John Francis featured in the New York Times
The work of John H. Francis III, a Nelson Institute emeritus Board of Visitor member, alumnus, and 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, is featured in the recent New York Times article, “Who gets left out of the ‘Great Outdoors’ story?”
“Linking knowledge to action:” the motto for EOI alumna while completing her MS degree
“Linking knowledge to action.” This is the phrase Environmental Observation and Informatics (EOI) graduate Grace Stonecipher says is the embodiment of her time at the Nelson Institute.
International student overcomes challenges on her way to completing the Environmental Conservation MS
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Vijay Limaye named a Rising Star Alumni Award recipient
Making the climate crisis more tangible, relatable, and local is an urgent goal for Nelson Institute alumnus, Vijay Limaye.
Linda Vakunta named a Rising Star Alumni Award recipient
From the heartland of the United States to the heart of sub-Saharan Africa, Nelson Institute alumna Linda Vakunta is leading efforts to improve environmental education and prepare the next generation of leaders.
Jessica Price named a Rising Star Alumni Award recipient
As cities move to increase renewable energy usage and sustainability, Nelson Institute alumna and Rising Star Alumni Award winner Jessica Price is leading the way.
Dan York named a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
With more than 30 years of experience researching, analyzing, and implementing energy efficiency policies and programs, Nelson Institute Distinguished Alumni Award winner Dan York has seen the industry rapidly change and grow.
Nelson Institute alumna named Madison’s new sustainability and resilience manager
Jessica Price is graduate of the Nelson Institute Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development MS program and the Environment and Resources PhD program.
Nelson Institute alumna fights climate change with data science
Using data for meaningful environmental impact is at the heart of Nelson Institute alumna Lea Shanley’s work.
Nelson alumna helps to clean the bay
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EOI alumna now working for NASA’s DEVELOP program
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Nelson alumna is helping to address the human-wildlife conflict
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Alumna at the forefront of wildlife-transmitted disease research
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Environmental Conservation alumnus brings natural climate solutions to the forefront of the climate change discussion
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Nelson Institute grad combines research, tribal traditions in wolf relationship plan
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Nelson alumna awarded Distinguished Service Award by the North American Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology
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Center for Ecology and Environment Symposium keynote speaker is UW alumna
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Tatiana Satchivi studies soundscapes to protect biodiversity
A graduate of the Environmental Observation and Informatics (EOI) program, she studies soundscapes to understand the effects of selective logging in tropical forests on biodiversity.
Nelson institute alumna and author Heather Shumaker shares advice with professional students
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Nelson Institute alumna working with Google, LinkedIn and Project Drawdown to create powerful climate change solutions
Nelson Institute alumna, Elizabeth Bagley, is at the forefront of developing sustainability and climate change solutions by connecting the public to the world of complex ecosystems.
Nelson Institute alumnus connecting environment and community with Iowa DNR
For Nelson Institute alumnus Steve Hopkins, pursuing a career in environmentalism was an easy choice. Hopkins grew up learning about animals, gardening, and the outdoors from his grandparents who had a cattle farm in Missouri. He credits his grandparents with introducing him to his passion and ultimately leading him to his current position with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Recent Nelson grad follows passion for people, sustainability, and the planet
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Alumna leads the way with Conservation Standards
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Alumnus continues to be inspired by Nelson Institute experience decades after graduation
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Nelson alumnus devotes nearly three decades to protecting vital water resources
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Visualizing the environment
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Nelson Institute alumni working to create a bright future for solar power
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An algorithm for understanding conservation agriculture
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Nelson Institute alumna expands community conservation efforts around the globe
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Environmental conservation alumna uses her diverse background to expand landscape conservation design
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Alumna Utilizes Nelson Institute Open Standards Training to Improve Conservation Efforts Around the Globe
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Emmanuel Urey’s Educational Experiences Help Him Become a Leader in Liberian Education and Land Rights Reform
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