The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is honored to announce a new $30,000 endowment from donor George R. Affeldt in support of the Professor Clarence “Clay” Schoenfeld Scholarship Environmental Education Fund. The gift will support …
The Commons
Conaway connects with Tribal communities on environmental challenges
For Nelson Institute faculty associate, Jessie Conaway helping people to connect with and protect the natural world has been a lifelong goal. As a career outdoor educator, Conaway has spent both her personal and professional …
A Wisconsin Idea win-win
A UW–Madison program called the UniverCity Year is partnering with communities across Wisconsin to find solutions to knotty problems and bolster the quality of life for the state’s citizens.
A view from space can save the trees
According to research led by Fanny Moffette, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, deforestation dropped by 18 percent in two years in African countries where organizations subscribed to receive forest cover warnings from the Global Land Analysis and Discovery system.
Researchers look for ways to store tens of thousands of genetic samples and use cloning to preserve and revitalize endangered — and possibly extinct — species
The Earth is in the midst of a sixth mass extinction event, and most scientists point to human activity as the primary cause. Each day, the planet loses an average of five to 30 species. While efforts are under way to preserve their habitat, these efforts may not be enough to save them. Extinct species, by definition, no longer exist. But their genetic material can live on in biobanks, offering the possibility of resurrection. Think of it as an extinction loophole.
With pandemic adaptations, Angela Waupochick has launched a bioacoustics study of black ash conservation in northern Wisconsin
A PhD student in forest and wildlife ecology, Waupochick is among a growing number of scientists using a simple technique called bioacoustic monitoring to record forest soundscapes.
UW researchers investigate mining-related deforestation in the Amazon
University of Wisconsin-Madison geography professor and Nelson Institute affiliate, Lisa Naughton led a recent study investigating how formalizing and legalizing gold mining operations might curb their negative environmental effects. The study, published in Environmental Research …
Alumna at the forefront of wildlife-transmitted disease research
From understanding the viral spillover risk of diseases like coronavirus to research on the health of great apes, Nelson Institute alumna Sarah H. Olson is at the forefront of some of today’s most pressing environmental …
Jonathan Patz receives WARF named professorship
He is among eight faculty who received the 2021-22 awards that honor those who have made major contributions to the advancement of knowledge, primarily through their research endeavors, but also as a result of their teaching and service activities.
GLOBE Midwest ESS Collaborative hosts virtual science symposium
On May 13, 2021, the Midwest GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) / ESS (Earth System Science) Collaborative hosted the GLOBE Midwest ESS virtual Science Symposium, with 25 student groups from 11 …
Edwards finds that repairs to natural gas distribution system don’t always work
For the network of pipelines that bring natural gas to homes throughout the United States, leaks are an ongoing challenge. Repairing those leaks can lead to safety and climate benefits by reducing the amount of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) released into the atmosphere.
Nelson affiliate Jim Kossin’s research shows that hurricanes are getting stronger
Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research (CCR) affiliate Jim Kossin, recently shared his research into the connection between climate change and hurricanes with the New York Times and NBC Miami. Kossin’s research shows that over …
Earth’s vegetation is changing faster today than it has over the last 18,000 years
The research suggests that humanity’s dominant influence on ecosystems that is so visible today has its origin in the earliest civilizations and the rise of agriculture, deforestation and other ways our species has influenced the landscape.
Holly Gibbs receives 2021 GHI Seed Grant
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Department of Geography associate professor, Holly Gibbs will receive support for her research from two 2021 University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Health Institute (GHI) Seed Grants. Her research titled, “Health, …
Environmental Conservation alumnus brings natural climate solutions to the forefront of the climate change discussion
Sharing the benefits of natural climate solutions is at the heart of Nelson Institute alumnus Nathan Henry’s work, but it wasn’t long ago that he had an entirely different career. For most of his career, …
Manantlán Biosphere Reserve supported by UW-Madison highlighted in Nature
Nelson Institute adjunct professor and Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology alumnus, Eduardo Santana Castellón recently co-authored a letter to the editor titled, Value of Mexican Nature Reserve is More than Monetary in the journal …
Nelson Institute affiliate to co-host virtual book launch on May 18
Join Nelson Institute affiliate, executive director of the Human Rights Program, and director of Research Centers at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Sumudu Anopama Atapattu on May 18 at 11 a.m. CDT for the …
Wisconsin teachers connect human and planetary health in new lessons for students
A dozen Wisconsin K-12 teachers went back to school for the last year to learn more about the connections between the health of humans and the health of the planet. The K-12 teachers from Madison, …
Nelson Institute professor Sara Hotchkiss’ work in paleoecology bridges the past with the future
With a cross-curricular background, she’s found ideal academic homes within the Botany Department and the interdisciplinary Nelson Institute, where she feels supported in her endeavors to ask hard questions and follow the science, even if it leads outside of her core academic discipline.
New paper from Nelson Institute professor encourages transparency about values in natural resource management
A new paper co-authored by University of Wisconsin-Madison Nelson Institute professor and founder of the Carnivore Coexistence Lab, Adrian Treves, identifies the role value judgments play in wildlife management decisions and encourages managers and scientists …
Nelson Institute grad combines research, tribal traditions in wolf relationship plan
Nelson Institute Environment and Resources graduate Abi Fergus (MS ‘20) is being recognized for her work as the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa wildlife specialist. Fergus worked the job while attending school full-time, but …
Holly Gibbs is Romnes Fellowship recipient
This fellowship recognizes the leadership of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Trustee President H.I. Romnes and supports selected faculty up to six years past their first promotion to a tenured position. The research award may be used over a period of five years.
Nelson Institute Distinguished Professor Tracey Holloway empowers mothers to take action on climate change through Science Moms
As a climate scientist and the mother of two boys, Tracey Holloway has a lot of reasons to care about the future of the planet. In her role as the Gaylord Nelson Distinguished Professor of …
Nelson Institute Dean Paul Robbins contributes to “Intended Consequences”
Nelson Institute Dean Paul Robbins has joined a group of biologists, conservationists, and thought leaders in supporting Intended Consequences, a statement, a special issue of Conservation Science and Practice, and framework for confidently tackling the …
CCR Director Dan Vimont featured in L&S Magazine
In the article, he discusses his concerns surrounding climate change and the work he is doing to better understand it and mitigate its harmful impacts. He also outlines the ways in which his research has evolved to meet the challenges of climate change and the outreach he is doing to help local leaders and lawmakers understand climate science.