Tag Environment

Children exposed to lead more likely to be suspended from school

August 14, 2013

Children who are exposed to lead are nearly three times more likely to be suspended from school by the 4th grade than children who are not exposed, according to a new University of Wisconsin–Madison study funded jointly by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Wisconsin Partnership Program Education and Research Committee.

Protecting our Pollinators

July 12, 2013

Bees, so crucial to our food supply, are dying off at alarming rates. CALS researchers are taking a close look at everything from the microbes in their hives to the landscapes they live in to identify in what conditions bees thrive.

Reading the fine print: Can conservation easements allow adaptive management?

July 8, 2013

As conservation easements gain popularity for protecting privately owned land, a University of Wisconsin–Madison scientist is trying to unravel a difficult question: In the face of environmental change, how well can these easements satisfy their conservation goals?

Ecologists map the benefits of our ecosystems

July 1, 2013

Two ecologists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison report this week (July 1) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences a novel approach to analyzing the production and location of 10 different ecosystem services across a landscape, opening the door to being able to identify factors governing their synergies and tradeoffs.

Professional degree a new tool for conservation leaders

June 11, 2013

In the face of unprecedented environmental challenges that demand novel solutions, the University of Wisconsin–Madison will soon begin accepting applications for a model graduate degree program to train tomorrow's conservation leaders.

Road block: Fixing aquatic ecosystem connectivity doesn’t end with dams

May 29, 2013

Over the last several years, state agencies and environmental nonprofit organizations have targeted dam removal as a way to quickly improve the health of aquatic ecosystems. Dams keep migratory fish from swimming upriver to spawn, block nutrients from flowing downstream, and change the entire hydrology of a watershed. From an ecosystem perspective, taking down a dam and returning a river to a more natural flow seems like a no-brainer.

New project will adapt dairying to climate change

May 7, 2013

Agricultural scientists from across the nation are embarking on a new five-year, $10 million, USDA-funded effort to identify dairy production practices that minimize the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHG) and will be more resilient to the effects of a changing climate.

Classes in the park unite middle schoolers with college students, nature

April 23, 2013

Trish O'Kane had reached a dead end. It was her first day teaching a capstone course in environmental studies at the Nelson Institute, and she was ready to forge ahead with a two-hour "college-style" lesson plan.

Céline Cousteau to speak at Earth Day conference

March 28, 2013

Marine conservation advocate and filmmaker Céline Cousteau will be a featured speaker at the seventh annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference on Monday, April 15.

Multicultural Student Center presents symposium on ‘race & place’

March 5, 2013

The Multicultural Student Center (MSC) and Institute for Justice Education and Transformation (IJET) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will hold their annual spring symposium "Race &..." to encourage dialogue and action around racial identity and other social justice issues.

Publication tells how climate change data affect natural resource decisions

February 26, 2013

A wide array of natural and human systems are feeling the effects of Wisconsin's changing climate. But the state is adapting in a variety of ways to a warmer, wetter climate that is projected to see more frequent droughts, heat waves and heavy rainfalls by mid-century.

Students who recycle can win pizza

February 21, 2013

Students can win a free slice of Ian’s Pizza on Library Mall Friday while learning about the benefits of recycling.

‘Madison Reads Leopold’ to be held March 2 at Arboretum

February 21, 2013

As part of the Madison area's celebration of Aldo Leopold Weekend, there will be a free public reading from "A Sand County Almanac" and other Leopold works on Saturday, March 2, at the UW Arboretum Visitor Center. Leopold was the first research director at the Arboretum and was closely involved in its design.

Weston Roundtable adds distinguished speakers on sustainable water, energy

February 5, 2013

A pair of leading figures in the field of sustainability - Jerry Schnoor of the University of Iowa and Dave Allen of the University of Texas at Austin - will speak at the University of Wisconsin–Madison this semester in two Weston Distinguished Lectures.

Lead exposure lowers fourth graders’ test scores

January 8, 2013

Lead exposure is related to lower test scores among Wisconsin fourth graders, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Mapping effort charts restoration tack for Great Lakes

December 17, 2012

As the federal government builds on its $1 billion investment to clean up and restore the Great Lakes, an international research consortium has developed innovative new maps of both environmental threats and benefits to help guide cost-effective approaches to environmental remediation of the world’s largest fresh water resource.

Religious studies course to focus on environmental crises

December 6, 2012

A new "gateway" course in religious studies (RELS101, Religions in Global Perspective) will move beyond the traditional survey approach and give instructors leeway to choose a more timely and effective focus. The first edition, on religion and the environment, will be taught by Anna M. Gade, associate professor of religious studies and languages and cultures of Asia. Inside UW–Madison discussed the new course with Professor Gade.