Program Advantages

Going to graduate school is a big decision. Each year we ask our students why they joined these programs. Here are just a few of their responses.

Cohort-Based Learning

We believe deep learning and true leadership is best done with a group of peers. Our cohort-based learning approach allows you to:

Take classes in-person to share ideas and experiences
Work together so you can ask questions and problem solve when things are challenging and celebrate successes like completing a project or test
Eat lunch in the student lounge to reflect on what happened in class or plan the weekend trip to the farmer’s market

Conservation happens by working with people, and we start that process by having you learn and work with your peers. Our cohorts will never be more than 30 students because we believe in fostering strong relationships among students and with program staff, instructors, and faculty.

A Final Project That is Just for You

The MS program culminates with an applied conservation project with a leading organization. This is your program for your professional goals. Therefore, we don’t have a limited set of organizations or projects from you to choose from. Instead, we learn your background and understand your professional aspirations. Together, we identify relevant organizations and through conversations develop a unique and meaningful project that meets your goals and supports the organization’s ongoing work.

Watch this video to hear directly from students about their projects.

View these examples of how we work with every student to develop a leadership project that combines their background, interests, and professional goals.

A student standing in an African prairie, with giraffes in the background.

Forest restoration in Rwanda

Background: BS biology and environmental science; four years of professional experience focused on project management
Partner: IUCN-Rwanda
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Implemented evaluation metrics to measure success and better understand what works in large-scale forest restoration

A field of native prairie plants just before sunset.

Strategies for engaging and maintaining long distance networks

Background: BS psychology; six years of professional experience focused on public education
Partner: Aldo Leopold Foundation
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Developed system to facilitate and maintain the growing long-distance network of Land Ethic Leaders training participants, establishing recommendations to engage their network more effectively

A geyser erupting while a large group watches.

Documenting visitor use in critical national park ecosystems

Background: BA English language and literature; joined program directly from undergrad
Partner: National Park Service Social Science Team
Location: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
Worked with social science team to document and monitor visitor use patterns at high profile, critically important tourist sites to better inform management practices

Close-up view of a gray wolf staring back at the camera.

Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict: Wolves in the Classroom

Background: BA elementary education, three years of professional experience focused on teaching
Partner: Timber Wolf Alliance
Location: Wisconsin
Developed toolkit website complete with educational resources aligned with state standards with overarching goal of reducing impacts of human-wildlife conflict

Wide-angle view of ivy-covered high-rise apartments against a blue sky.

Scaling sustainable cities development

Background: BS environmental science, joined directly from undergrad
Partner: WWF-Cities
Location: Lund, Sweden
Researched and scripted content for massive online open course (MOOC) focused on sharing best practices of sustainable cities development

Scenic view of a lavender field with trees and mountains in the background.

Partner engagement in landscape conservation collaboratives

Background: BS psychology/sociology, MEd counseling, eight years of professional experience focused on advising, counseling and outreach
Partner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Location: Portland, Oregon
Fully designed new partner engagement strategy for the Cascades to Coast Landscape Collaborative, conducting complete re-branding process, developing a style guide, relevant infographics and new website

Close-up view of an elk standing in a lush forest.

Elk herd management and monitoring

Background: BS genetics, joined directly from undergrad
Partner: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Monitored ecologically and culturally important elk distribution throughout the state to better inform management decisions and communicate with the public, mapping ranges, positions, and associated habitat

Group photo of four students posing next to a lake, with canoes in the background.

Ocean debris reduction through island waste management

Background: BS biology, one year of professional experience in aquarium education
Partner: IUCN-Asia
Location: Kao Yao Yai, Thailand
Designed evaluation for island waste management and conducted extensive community-use surveys, informing community engagement strategy for marine debris reduction

Flood resilience in the face of climate change

Background: BS environmental studies, four years of professional experience focused on IT Administration
Partner: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Location: Throughout Wisconsin
Developed mitigation strategies in response to increased flooding events, furthering the development of a key tool in assessing flood resilience in rural communities

Evaluating large landscape conservation efforts and metrics for success

Background: BFA dance, eight years of professional experience focused on development and operations
Partner: Yellowstone to Yukon
Location: Purcell-Cabinet Mountain Corridor (Missoula, Montana to Central Canadian Rockies)
Evaluated the collaborative efforts in large landscape conservation, reassessing the metrics used to measure success with the goal of better demonstrating effectiveness

The Professional Master of Science Timeline

We offer our programs in an accelerated, 15-month blended curriculum with on-campus and remote experiences. Our goal isn’t to keep you in graduate school forever, it’s to efficiently give you the best training and the strongest network so you can get back out there and advance your career.

Learn more about the program timeline and what you will learn each semester on the Curriculum page.

The Nelson Institute community

When you are a student in the Environmental Observation and Informatics program, you are a part of the Nelson Institute community. This means you not only have a strong cohort of professional MS students, but also a network of 80 current graduate students across the other MS and PhD programs and certificates, and thousands of alumni that live in Madison and across the world. Here are just some of the experiences you can have when join our community:

Attend one of the dozens of Nelson Institute events each semester that span topics from clean energy to killer cats, in addition to an annual Earth Day conference to honor the movement Gaylord Nelson started 50 years ago.
Join the graduate students for social events like outdoor BBQs and happy hours at the Memorial Union Terrace. These events are organized by graduate student reps, and you can be one too!
Immerse yourself in the environmental issues of Wisconsin by attending the new graduate student multi-day field trip to learn about issues facing real communities across the state, and what they are doing to address them.
Stay connected online with the Nelson institute community by joining the ESSA listserv, where you can find a sunny sublet apartment, learn about Madison events, or sell your used camping gear.