Programs
Natural Resources Institute Programs
Discover our programs working to provide the information and leadership needed to grow healthy,
thriving communities and support resilient, productive natural resources, food systems, and economies.
Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium
This team of fire practitioners, scientists, outreach and extension specialists, volunteers, educators, and enthusiasts from the Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Region accelerate the awareness, understanding, application, and review of wildland fire science across the region.
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
Upham Woods is a residential, year-round, outdoor learning center for youth and youth leaders, offering environmental education and outdoor recreation programs, summer and family camps, professional workshops, and conferences and retreats. The center is an innovative outdoor laboratory connecting youth and adults with positive outdoor experiences that create individual connection to nature and foster engaged […]
UW Urban Canid Project
The UW Urban Canid Project is studying red foxes and coyotes in Madison, Wisconsin. The project investigates the way canids are living in Madison and how people can coexist with these wild neighbors. With the right knowledge, living with wild urban canids can be safe, enjoyable, and rewarding.
Water Action Volunteers
The Water Action Volunteers stream monitoring program is a partnership between Extension, the WDNR, and partner organizations working to protect and restore Wisconsin’s 86,000+ miles of streams and rivers by training and empowering volunteers to collect high-quality data on their local streams and to share their data, knowledge, and passion for stewardship with others.
Water Natural Resource Educators
Extension Water Natural Resource Educators work across Wisconsin watersheds to support producer-led groups, demonstration farms, and community organizations in stewarding water resources. They guide watershed planning, interpret water quality data, and foster collaboration among farmers, lake groups, and other stakeholders to improve water quality.
Wisconsin Center for Wildlife
The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife engages students, landowners, professionals, and the public in sustainable wildlife management through research, education, and outreach efforts. The center is dedicated to increasing knowledge around wildlife, improving networking within the natural resources community, increasing conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and resolving human–wildlife conflicts.
Wisconsin Coverts Project
This annual workshop teaches woodland owners about actions they can take to enhance the abundance and diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians on their land. Participants receive training from forestry and wildlife professionals in the classroom and in the field, and learn about programs and people ready to assist them with their stewardship goals.
Wisconsin Forestry Center
As an outreach center at UW-Stevens Point in collaboration with Extension, the Wisconsin Forestry Center is dedicated to serving the needs of Wisconsin’s forestry community through partner-driven professional and workforce development, applied research, and community outreach initiatives that promote vibrant, sustainable forests and forest-based economies.
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
A state institution since 1897, the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey provides objective scientific research and information about the geology, mineral resources, and water resources of Wisconsin through publications, technical talks, and responses to inquiries from the public. These activities support informed decision‑making by government, industry and business leaders, and the citizens of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Master Naturalist
The Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program is a network of well-informed volunteers and instructors dedicated to conservation education and community service. The Master Naturalist training provides 40 hours of primarily field‑based experiences covering topics related to Wisconsin’s natural world and human connections with nature.
Wisconsin Rural Weather Extremes
The Wisconsin Rural Weather Extremes project is working to build greater capacity in Wisconsin’s rural communities to prepare for extreme weather events. The project works with local stakeholders to meet their needs with data, tools, and resources that will improve their ability to make informed decisions in advance of extreme weather events.
Wisconsin State Climatology Office
The State Climatology Office collects, analyzes, and shares climate information with Wisconsin communities while leading the way in climate science education and research. The State Climatology Office is collaboratively supported by the Nelson Institute’s Center for Climatic Research, Extension, and the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at UW–Madison.
Wood Products
Extension works with the forest products industry to keep Wisconsin at the forefront of technological and innovation advancements. Through sharing new knowledge and technology, we help companies prepare for new trends, test production techniques to develop cost-effective methods, and inform managerial decision-making.



