Community Programs
The Nelson Institute collaborates with a wide spectrum of stakeholders beyond the university campus and serves as a neutral convener around a number of critical environmental issues, from local to global in scope. Our current and recent community programs include:
Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI)
This statewide program resulted from questions raised by a bipartisan committee of state legislators who wanted to know how climate change could affect their districts and constituents. It began when more than 40 scientists from the UW-Madison, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other agencies and institutions met in June 2007 to explore ways to identify and measure the impacts of climate change and variability at local and regional scales.
Tales from Planet Earth
This free festival in downtown Madison on Nov. 6-8, 2009, showcased more 50 environmental films from around the world; included lectures and discussions by activists Majora Carter and Winona LaDuke and several award-winning film makers; and featured a variety of community events with nine local nonprofit partner organizations. Over three days, the festival drew more than 4,600 participants.
Nelson Institute Community Environmental Forum
Launched in the fall of 2006, this series of public seminars addresses key environmental issues facing Wisconsin, Dane County, and Madison. Guest speakers and audience members represent a cross-section of the community, including the private sector, state and local government, nonprofit organizations, and academia.
Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference
"Wisconsin's Energy Future" was the topic of the third annual Nelson Institute Earth Day conference, held Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at Madison's Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The Earth Day conference is an annual event, focusing each year on a timely environmental concern. Our 2010 conference will celebrate the 40th anniversaries of Earth Day and the Nelson Institute.
Water Resources Management Workshops
Graduate students in our Water Resources Management Program have prepared more than two dozen comprehensive plans to protect and improve water quality, recreational opportunities, and other public benefits in communities throughout Wisconsin.
Gaylord Nelson Lecture Series
This public lecture series honors the late Sen. Gaylord Nelson with a mix of guest speakers on topics related to his legacy.
Yahara Lakes Conferences
"A Clean Future for the Yahara Lakes: Solutions for Tomorrow, Starting Today" was the theme of the second Yahara Lakes Conference on October 10, 2008. The meeting gathered citizens, scientists, regulators, advocates, farmers, business people, riparians and other experts and stakeholders to work toward collaborative, effective and lasting solutions to the nutrient and sediment pollution that plagues the lakes.
Special Events
The Nelson Institute organizes and co-sponsors dozens of special events each year, from lectures by visiting speakers to panel discussions and symposia on topics of current interest.