Skip to content
UW Crest

Natural Resources Institute

Division of Extension

  • Focus Areas
    • Community Engaged Science and Education
    • Earth Sciences
    • Land and Forest Stewardship
    • Water Resource Management
    • Wildlife Ecology and Management
  • Programs
  • Resources
  • Professional Services
    • Evaluation
    • Instructional Design
    • Marketing and Communications
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Our Blog
    • Extension Earth Fest Showcase
    • Stay in Touch
  • Donate
Search
University of Wisconsin-Extension

Home » Professional Services » Natural Resources Institute Instructional Design Unit

Share
  • Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X (Twitter)
  • Share via Email
  • Copy Link

Copied!

Natural Resources Institute Instructional Design Unit

A women sitting at a desk looking at a laptop with 3 screens, one has a map and another has a zoom with 4 people.

Natural Resources Institute Instructional Design Unit

As an educator or professional, you are an expert in your field. You have the knowledge and wisdom that comes from years of experience. Now you need to pass on your expertise to your learners.  

The NRI Instructional Design Unit partners with you to transform your expertise into learning solutions that drive measurable performance. 

Whether that means a short microlearning module, or a full certification program, we will collaborate with you every step of the way. 

Learn more about our unit in this factsheet

Who We Serve

We help programs like yours build knowledge and skills people need. 

Some of our partners include:  

  • Extension
  • UW-Madison Departments and Groups
  • Other Universities and Institutions
  • State and Federal Agencies
Looking over a persons shoulder to see a coffee of coffee, a hap, and a series of paper materials for a course
A workshop participant reviewing a folder of handouts, a decision tree, and a plant identification guide developed in collaboration with the NRI Instructional Design Unit

By the Numbers

250+

Videos produced

25+

Technologies used

300+

Hours of learning content developed

How We Help

Whether you’re exploring an idea or ready to start a project, we can help. 

Here’s how it works: 

  1. Tell us what you need.
    We listen, ask questions, and discuss the project scope and deliverables.
  2. We build it.
    We transform your knowledge into practical, accessible learning content that fits your program’s needs. You stay involved, ensuring the final product meets your vision.
  3. We finalize and deliver.
    We do the final checks. Then, we deliver your finished learning materials, ready to support your learners.

Our Expertise

We leverage these strengths to create learning content that people can understand and use.

eLearning Design and Development

Accessibility Adaptations

Learning Design Consultation and Development

Technology Consultation

Video, Audio, and Multimedia Design and Production

Plain Language and Clarity 

Generative AI Tools  

Project Management  

Target Audience Analysis 

Adult Learning Principles 

Integration with Other Units (Evaluation, Marketing and Communications) 

Curriculum Design

How We Work

Let’s connect

Tell us about your vision, your target audience, and your goals for your project. Together, we can determine how the Instructional Design Unit can support your work and meet your needs.


Incorporate our services into your grant or budget

We are frequently written into grants as partners and can accommodate a variety of funding strategies. As a unit of UW–Madison Extension, we offer an internal hourly rate for collaborations with other University of Wisconsin units, alongside competitive rates for external clients.  

All Instructional Design Unit services are billed by the hour based on the following rates effective 7/1/25 to 6/30/26. Hourly rates are reviewed and adjusted at the beginning of the next fiscal year. 

Internal and federal grants: $75/hr
External projects: $104/hr 

Our Specialists

Headshot of Janice Kepka

Janice Kepka

Instructional Design Team Lead
janice.kepka@wisc.edu

Headshot of Kristy Gruley

Kristy Gruley

Project Manager
gruley@wisc.edu

Headshot of Margie Cook

Margie Cook

Instructional Designer
margie.cook@wisc.edu

Headshot of Casey Garhart

Casey Garhart

Instructional Designer
pmgarhart@wisc.edu

Headshot of Wendy Schweitzer

Wendy Schweitzer

Instructional Designer
wendy.schweitzer@wisc.edu

Print This Page

Division of Extension

Connecting people with the University of Wisconsin

  • Agriculture
  • Community Development
  • Health & Well-Being
  • Families & Finances
  • Natural Resources
  • Positive Youth Development

More Information

  • Home
  • About
  • Programs
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Donate

Follow NRI on Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Stay Connected

  • Contact
  • Natural Resources Blog
  • Social Media Directory

For Staff

NRI Resource SharePoint
Internal Communications Blog

University of Wisconsin-Madison      |        Explore Extension: Agriculture Community Development Families & Finances Health Natural Resources Youth
Connect With Us
Support Extension
Extension Home

We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities.

Explore Extension »

County Offices

Connect with your County Extension Office »

Map of Wisconsin counties
Staff Directory

Find an Extension employee in our staff directory »

staff directory
Social Media

Get the latest news and updates on Extension's work around the state

facebook iconFacebook

twitter icon Follow on X


Facebook
Follow on X

Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info@extension.wisc.edu | © 2026 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Statement & How to File a Complaint | Disability Accommodation Requests

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.