University of Wisconsin–Madison
By Chandler Wells In our “Where Are They Now?” series, current student interns interview former interns about their experience at the Office of Sustainability, particularly how that experience has helped them since graduation. In the following entry, Chandler Wells relates her conversation with Nina Delgadillo. During the Water @ UW Conference in the Spring of …
Indoor green spaces play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff on college campuses by reducing stress and anxiety and promoting a sense of calm and connection. Indoor plants purify the air, increase oxygen levels, improve cognitive ability, and reduce the risk of respiratory issues. The following indoor …
With a plethora of dining halls, badger markets, restaurants, and catered events, surplus food is a common occurrence at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. However, rather than reaching food-insecure students, this excess often finds its way into the trash. Enter the UW–Madison Chapter of Food Recovery Network (FRN), an organization whose mission is to minimize food …
In February 2024, Chancellor Mnookin announced a groundbreaking commitment to sustainability. Mnookin laid out five goals across fields of sustainability that will guide UW–Madison over the next two decades: achieve net-zero emissions by 2048, create a zero-waste campus by 2040, achieve STARS Gold by 2025 through cross-campus involvement, foster sustainability education, and catalyze sustainability research. …
In our “Where Are They Now?” series, current student interns interview former students about their experience at the Office of Sustainability (OS), particularly how that experience has helped them since graduation. In the following entry, Brynne Hill relates her conversation with Mackenzie Thelen, a student who was involved in research within the OS. Mackenzie Thelen, …
Redefining Farming Through Inclusion and Resilience On March 14, 2024, the Office of Sustainability’s Social Sustainability Coalition hosted “Rooted in Inclusion: Queer Narratives in Farming,” which aimed to amplify the voices of those traditionally excluded from leading roles in agriculture. The event started with a land acknowledgment that recognized the University of Wisconsin’s occupation of stolen …
After hosting Earth Week for the last six years, the Office of Sustainability is partnering with the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies to launch Earth Fest, an annual celebration of Earth Day filled with over 50 innovative, exciting, and sustainable events. Join a growing campus community of experts and passionate students seeking to advance sustainability …
Biking and walking tours, hands-on experiments, interactive activities at the Lakeshore Preserve and Arboretum, a First Nations history walking tour, and more programs headline sustainability events at this April’s Community Open House.
In Wisconsin, the effects of climate change have already become apparent. Over the last several years the state has been challenged by the warmest and wettest decade on record, early and toxic algae blooms in Lake Mendota, and diminished ice cover on Wisconsin lakes. The winter of 2024 was especially mild, marking the warmest winter …
Are you interested in supporting UW–Madison’s zero waste goal? Here’s your chance to get involved and contribute to UW–Madison’s Zero Waste Action Plan. We are seeking feedback from staff, faculty, and students on our Draft Zero Waste Action Plan. Your input is crucial in refining our strategies and moving towards a more sustainable campus environment. …