We are dedicated to  “The Wisconsin Idea”, a philosophy dating back to 1904 and attributed to former UW president Charles Van Hise.  He suggested that education and research at a university level should extend past the physical boundaries of classroom walls, and be applied to solve critical problems and improve the quality of life for all citizens.  In keeping with this charge, we have delivered many invited public talks over the past several years to local organizations and landowners; provided many interviews with local and national media; written short informative articles on timely environmental issues; fostered relationships with people involved in policy, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; collaborated with local utilities such as Alliant Energy and Madison Gas and Electric; helped jumpstart new initiatives such as the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI); and have served on the Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming (as part of a subcommittee on Forestry and Agriculture).  We have pursued these outreach activities to help connect the important, cutting edge research in our region regarding ecology, agriculture, and climate change to those who are making the decisions that will impact the lives of the people in Wisconsin, the Midwest U.S., and beyond.  Our ultimate goal is to provide knowledge in support of decision-making by individuals, organizations, stakeholders, and government officials, leading to more responsible environmental stewardship and improving our likelihood of long-term sustainability of our natural resources.

Here are links to recent media releases, public presentations, and interviews.

Blue Sky Science: What and where is the Yahara watershed?   (Wisconsin State Journal – January 25, 2016)

Wisconsin Public Television: Yahara Watershed – A Place of Change (Water Sustainability and Climate project documentary; airdate: September 7, 2016)

Envisioning Responses to Climate Change (Wisconsin Academy Talk, February 3, 2015)

Wisconsin Public Radio – Larry Meiller Show  (Jason Schatz and Chris Kucharik talk about Madison’s Urban Heat Island; October 27, 2014)

WKOW TV, Madison – Channel 27 (ABC Affiliate) (Interview on climate change and agriculture on 5pm newscast, February 20, 2013)