Environment

Students continue sugarbush work on Platte Mound, special guest Jon Greendeer to lead opening event

Authored on: Feb 02, 2023, Written by: Alison Parkins
For the past several years, students and faculty have helped establish a sugarbush on the Platte Mound as a way to connect with and learn about the history and land in important ways. On Wednesday, March 8, Jon Greendeer, former president of the Ho-Chunk Nation, will help mark the start of the sugarbush season with events open to the campus and community.

Solar array makes good progress towards sustainability goals after first full semester

Authored on: Dec 12, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins
This semester marked the official start of the UW-Platteville’s 2.4-megawatt solar array generating energy, which continues to set UW-Platteville apart as a leader in sustainability.

Nyairo explores increasing local food to university, promotes sustainability

Authored on: Sep 09, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins
Dr. Risper Nyairo is working to change the future of sustainability in the Platteville area, which starts in part by reconstructing the past. Nyairo is conducting a feasibility study on the potential of linking more local producers to the university’s Dining Services, in order to increase local food offerings and promote sustainable practices within the local watershed. 

UW-Platteville reaffirms commitment to sustainability with Sesquicentennial Hall

Authored on: Apr 04, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins
UW-Platteville is continuing its commitment to sustainability with the construction of its newest engineering building, Sesquicentennial Hall. Set to open this fall, it will be the university’s first building to seek certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s internationally-recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development rating system, known as LEED.

UW-Platteville Bee Squad discusses importance of honeybees and native pollinators

Authored on: Apr 04, 2022, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt
The beekeeping season is underway, and the UW-Platteville Bee Squad is ready to observe honeybees and native pollinators across campus.

Students take part in prescribed burns on campus

Authored on: Apr 04, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins
Just in time for Earth Day, students had the opportunity to contribute to the stewardship of campus lands – an important part of the university’s commitment to sustainability. They did so by participating in prescribed burns across Memorial Park.

UW-Platteville reflects on more than a decade of sustainability, students look toward future

Authored on: Apr 04, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins
As the week of Earth Day kicks off, we take a look at UW-Platteville's role in sustainability both on and off campus over the years.

Trenkamp researches Native American boarding school era in the Midwest, presents project to U.S. national park

Authored on: Apr 04, 2022, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt
Grace Trenkamp recently completed her capstone project titled, “Native American Boarding Schools and Cemeteries (Midwest),” shedding light to the injustices Indigenous people faced in the 19th and 20th century.

UW-Platteville receives more than $55,000 from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin to train next generation of water scientists

Authored on: Mar 03, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins, UW-Platteville and Heidi Jeter, Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin
UW-Platteville will receive $55,373 in support from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin this year to enhance its water-related academic programs. The funding is part of a statewide initiative to tackle 10 grand water challenges and support curriculum development, undergraduate research opportunities, career development and field training experiences for students interested in studying water-related fields at the 13 UW Schools. 

Underwood helps reconstruct thousands of years of fire history in the most-visited national park

Authored on: Mar 03, 2022, Written by: Alison Parkins
Dr. Chris Underwood is working on a project, funded by the National Park Service, to expand fire history research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the conclusion of the project, the researchers will have a spatially comprehensive fire and vegetation history of the entire park that dates back to the last major North American glaciation.

Students to present Central Sands of Wisconsin research in Madison

Authored on: Mar 03, 2022, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt
Four students received the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research focused in the area of dendroecology, by assisting Dr. Evan Larson, professor of environmental sciences and society, with his project titled, “Groundwater Access Impacts Tree Productivity in the Central Sands of Wisconsin.”

REC major brings diverse job opportunities, alumni reflect on program and industry experiences

Authored on: Sep 09, 2021, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

Reclamation, environment and conservation (REC) is a growing field continuing to bring professional opportunities to UW-Platteville students. The REC program is led by Dr.


Larson co-authors Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness publication, highlighting fire regimes and social justice issues

Authored on: Jul 07, 2021, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt
Dr. Evan Larson, professor of geography, and his collaborators have been paddling the lakes of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for the past 15 years to conduct a sprawling research project, the results of which have been recently published in the journal Ecosphere.

UW-Platteville commits to achieving ‘zero waste’ by 2035

Authored on: May 05, 2021, Written by: Alison Parkins and Joshua Chamberland
During the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s recent Earth Day celebration, Chancellor Dennis J. Shields furthered the university’s commitment to being a leader in sustainability by pledging to become a zero waste campus by 2035.

UW-Platteville to build largest state-owned solar array

Authored on: Feb 02, 2021, Written by: Alison Parkins
UW-Platteville received state approval Thursday to construct a 2.4 megawatt solar array in Memorial Park. This will be the largest solar array owned by a Wisconsin state agency and will make the university the sixth-highest on-site producer of renewable energy among higher education institutions in the nation, setting UW-Platteville apart as a leader in its commitment to renewable energy. 

Impact of COVID-19 provides opportunity for research, connections

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Megan Hinderman
As organizations large and small struggle to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects on UW-Platteville and its surrounding communities are far-reaching. Yet, even as their own lives are disrupted, university students and staff have contributed to the greater good by sharing their skills and resources whenever possible and new opportunities for research and community-building have started to arise.

Boebel Hall renovations set to begin

Authored on: Jan 01, 2020, Written by: Paul Erickson
The $23.7 million Boebel Hall renovations are set to begin in the upcoming weeks. The project will renovate existing laboratory and classroom space to become instructional laboratories, preparation and support space, research and undergraduate research space and a general assignment classroom while adding stunning new looks.

Faculty discuss freshwater collaboration at state hearing

Authored on: May 05, 2019, Written by: Paul Erickson

University of Wisconsin-Platteville students, faculty and staff could play large roles in solving water issues in Southwest Wisconsin and beyond if a new initiative is passed.


Faculty recognized for innovative ideas to improve quality of life in Wisconsin

Authored on: May 05, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty members are being recognized for their innovative ideas to improve living and working environments in Wisconsin.


Arellano studies water quality in Sauk County

Authored on: Apr 04, 2019, Written by: John Christensen

Paul Arellano spent last summer and fall as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, taking surface water samples from six points along the Little Baraboo River.


Students research bentonite to improve waste containment solutions

Authored on: Mar 03, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students are contributing to research on the properties of bentonite, a naturally-occurring clay that is used in the construction of waste barriers.


Faculty forum to examine impact of Ojibwe landuse on Boundary Waters forests

Authored on: Feb 02, 2019, Written by: Laurie Hamer

What is wilderness?

To help answer this question, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s College of Liberal Arts and Education will host a faculty forum, “Reconsidering Wilderness,” on Thursday, March 7, in Room 136 Doudna Hall from 5-6:30 p.m.


Student designs Mars greenhouse concept for NASA

Authored on: Feb 02, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

University of Wisconsin-Platteville student Eva Birtell’s research on agricultural production systems is – literally – out of this world.