Eleventh Annual UW-Platteville Indigenous Peoples' Day Lecture
Authored on: , Written by: Christine BellportThursday, October 9 | 6–8 p.m. | Boebel Hall Room 104
Environmental Sciences
University professor leads breakthrough research in prestigious scientific journal
Authored on: , Written by: Travis Nelson, dean, College of Liberal Arts and EducationDr. Evan Larson and a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaborators illuminate how cultural fire stewardship shaped resilient ecosystems in the Great Lakes region.
Isbister receives 2025 Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award
Authored on: , Written by: Christine BellportDr. Dong Isbister is being recognized for her impactful work in Women's and Gender Studies, mentoring students and advancing inclusive education across campus and beyond.
College of Liberal Arts and Education students and faculty study around the globe during 2025 Winterim semester
Authored on: , Written by: Grant Patzlaff, College of LAE Writing InternThree groups of students from the College of Liberal Arts and Education embarked on once-in-a-lifetime study abroad experiences in England, Italy and the Galápagos Islands, enriching their academic and cultural perspectives.
Dornak selected for Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program
Authored on: , Written by: Kristie ReynoldsDr. Lynnette Dornak, associate professor of environmental science and society, has been selected for the 2024-2025 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program. She is one of two UW-Platteville faculty members selected for the Universities of Wisconsin program this year.
Out of the classroom and into the stream: How fish sampling teaches UW-Platteville biology students conservation
Authored on: , Written by: Christine BellportBiology students learn a unique way to test the health and well-being of a local stream on the UW-Platteville campus. Electrofishing amps up the education process by taking students outdoors and into a real-world scenario.
Estate gift will ensure new opportunities in environmental science, conservation
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsTerrence Ingram’s lifelong passion for nature propelled him through a celebrated career in conservationism that spanned more than 60 years. Now, his recent estate gift to the UW-Platteville Foundation will ensure opportunities for the next generation of students to continue his work in this field.
UW-Platteville welcomes more than 200 participants to Prescribed Fire Conference
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsUW-Platteville recently hosted the 2024 Prescribed Fire Conference, welcoming over 200 people from across the state who all share an interest in the vital use of prescribed fire to preserve the rich, biodiverse landscape of Wisconsin and the Driftless region.
UW-Platteville hosting 2024 Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Conference
Authored on: , Written by:University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Department of Environmental Sciences and Society will host the 2024 Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Conference at UW-Platteville on February 2-3.
With EPA internship, Barnes paves her way to dream job years before graduation
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsFor Lindsey Barnes, working at the Environmental Protection Agency was always a “dream job.” With a passion for the environment and a desire to make a meaningful impact, the junior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa set her sights on that future goal – never imagining she would achieve it two years before graduating college.
Researchers call for public’s help reconstructing drought history using ancient redcedar trees
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsThe ubiquitous eastern redcedar tree – a native species but one that can encroach on the region’s pastures and prairies – may be seen as a nuisance to some, but actually has a very important story to tell about the region’s climate history. Researchers from UW-Platteville are calling on the help of residents of the Driftless Area to identify redcedar tree samples to be included in National Science Foundation research that is studying the long-term history of drought in the region.
Zimmermann explores community gardens and food insecurity in summer research program
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsAs part of UW-Platteville's Summer Undergraduate Scholars Program, Ellie Zimmermann is spending the summer conducting research to explore the connections between community garden space and the perceptions of health and well-being and food security in the local community.
Students continue sugarbush work on Platte Mound, special guest Jon Greendeer to lead opening event
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsFor 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsThis 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsDr. 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsUW-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: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtThe 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsJust 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsAs 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: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtGrace 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: , Written by: Alison Parkins, UW-Platteville and Heidi Jeter, Freshwater Collaborative of WisconsinUW-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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsDr. 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: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtFour 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: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtReclamation, 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: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtDr. 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: , Written by: Alison Parkins and Joshua ChamberlandDuring 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsUW-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.
Seven years of driftless oaks research project published
Authored on: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtThousands of hours of field work and undergraduate research, conducted by more than 75 UW-Platteville students spanning seven years, has come to fruition. Dr. Chris Underwood, associate professor of geography and department chair, Dr. Evan Larson, professor of geography, and alumna Sara Allen, a 2013 history and geography graduate, co-authored “The Driftless Oaks: A new network of tree-ring chronologies to improve regional perspectives of drought in the Upper Midwest, USA.”
Dornak publishes research on land use, bird conservation efforts
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsAmid a decades-long trend of declining bird populations in North America, setting land aside for preservation has long been a primary approach to protect biodiversity. Dr. Lynnette Dornak, associate professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, researched the effectiveness of this method, and her work, “Assessing the Efficacy of Protected and Multiple-Use Lands for Bird Conservation in the U.S.,” was recently published by the scientific journal, PLOS ONE.
The department of geography launches new environmental science and conservation program
Authored on: , Written by: Ruth WendlandtThe Department of Geography is now offering a new undergraduate degree, environmental science and conservation. The program launched this fall with more than a dozen students declaring the major.
Impact of COVID-19 provides opportunity for research, connections
Authored on: , Written by: Megan HindermanAs 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.
Pioneer Spotlight: James Valiga
Authored on: , Written by: Laurie HamerWhen James (Jim) Valiga began teaching geography classes at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in fall 2013, his main goal was to pass on his life experience and knowledge. Each day, he strives to provide students with the knowledge, skills and support they need to succeed in their careers and be curious about the world.
Boebel Hall renovations set to begin
Authored on: , Written by: Paul EricksonThe $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.
Larson, former students co-author article in international journal
Authored on: , Written by: Laurie HamerDr. Evan Larson, associate professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, two former students and three other colleagues recently co-authored an article about their tree-ring research, “Faces in the Wilderness: a New Network of Crossdated Culturally-Modified Red Pine in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Northern Minnesota, USA.”
Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Todd Stradford
Authored on: , Written by: Laurie HamerDr. Todd Stradford is an associate professor of geography at UW-Platteville and teaches courses in human geography, weather and climate and Asia.
Students travel west to pursue 'educational adventure'
Authored on: , Written by: Laurie HamerStudents recently traveled on a three-week geography field experience in the western United States. The annual excursion is designed to help students learn about the physical, cultural and environmental geography of that region.
Faculty discuss freshwater collaboration at state hearing
Authored on: , Written by: Paul EricksonUniversity 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsTwo University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty members are being recognized for their innovative ideas to improve living and working environments in Wisconsin.
Students, faculty present research at national geography conference
Authored on: , Written by: Laurie HamerFive University of Wisconsin-Platteville geography students and faculty members recently presented their research at the American Association of Geographers annual conference April 3-7 in Washington, D.C.
Arellano studies water quality in Sauk County
Authored on: , Written by: John ChristensenPaul 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: , Written by: Alison ParkinsTwo 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: , Written by: Laurie HamerWhat is wilderness?
Student designs Mars greenhouse concept for NASA
Authored on: , Written by: Alison ParkinsUniversity of Wisconsin-Platteville student Eva Birtell’s research on agricultural production systems is – literally – out of this world.