Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference

Earth Day has perhaps never felt more precarious. This year's topic for the Nelson Institute's annual conference is “Species on the Move,” examining the effect of climate change across species. Keynotes on April 18 will be from Patrick Gonzalez of the UC-Berkeley Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity; Ryan Phelan of Revive & Restore, a wildlife conservation group; and Erica Bower, climate displacement researcher with Human Rights Watch. The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged as seats are limited; more info at earthday.nelson.wisc.edu.

media release: Across the globe, climate change has put people, animals, and plants in a constant state of movement. What do these shifts mean for our world? How are we taking action? The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies’ will explore these questions and more at Earth Day 2023: Species on the Move, a two-day community learning event with both in-person and virtual opportunities to learn and connect.

“When we think about the enormity of global environmental change, we usually start by thinking about people: How will we adapt? How will we look after the most vulnerable populations? How will we change in the face of complex transformations all around us?” says Paul Robbins, dean of the Nelson Institute. “But animals and plants are addressing the exact same questions right now! Creatures across the planet are changing, moving, and interacting in whole new ways. The better we understand these changes, the better a place we can make it for both ourselves and for the vast biodiversity all around us. Humans and non-humans are definitely on the move. That’s our focus this Earth Day.”

This year’s event will kick off on Tuesday, April 18, with an afternoon of in-person learning and networking at the Discovery Building. Partners from the event will host tables, and UW students will showcase posters and artwork relating to the theme.

The Tuesday program will include keynotes from three national experts:

• Patrick Gonzalez, executive director of the UC–Berkeley Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity, will present “Human-Caused Climate Change, Global Biodiversity, and Solutions.”
• Ryan Phelan, cofounder and executive director of Revive & Restore, the leading wildlife conservation organization promoting the incorporation of biotechnologies into standard conservation practice, will present “Sci-Fi to Fact: The Intended Consequences of Helping Nature Thrive"
• Erica Bower, a climate displacement researcher with Human Rights Watch, will present “Addressing Human Mobility in a Warming World: Challenges and Opportunities"

“I look forward to speaking with people about science and solutions to halt climate change and conserve biodiversity,” says Gonzalez, “[as well as] celebrating Earth Day at the namesake institute of the founder!”

On Wednesday, April 19, the Earth Day activities will transition to Zoom for a morning of virtual experiences. Attendees can choose between a selection of discussions during three breakout sessions, featuring talks from campus partners including the Global Health Institute, the Loka Initiative, the Nelson Institute’s four research centers, and more.

To close out Earth Day 2023, Andrea Akall’eq Burgess — global director of conservation in partnership with Indigenous peoples and local communities at The Nature Conservancy — will present the closing plenary session.

Find schedule details below. Earth Day 2023: Species on the Move is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged as seats are limited; learn more and register at earthday.nelson.wisc.edu.

About the Nelson Institute’s Earth Day Programming

The Nelson Institute’s annual Earth Day programming is offered in the spirit of the first Earth Day, the original 1970 “teach-in” on the environment founded in 1970 by our namesake — UW alumnus, former Wisconsin governor, and former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. From its first observance on April 22, 1970, Earth Day has grown into an annual observance across the world. The Nelson Institute’s Earth Day celebration has also grown over the years. Featuring nationwide experts across disciplines and sectors, our accessible and welcoming programming blends unique perspectives to generate fresh ideas and solutions to our most daunting environmental challenges.

About the Nelson Institute

The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW–Madison is committed to advancing environmental stewardship and social justice through activities and events that focus on environmental and racial justice, decolonizing relationships with Native communities, and diversifying the constituency for environmental issues and action. In addition to housing four interdisciplinary research centers, the Nelson Institute offers an undergraduate major and certificates, as well as graduate degrees and certificates. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the Nelson Institute confronts global environmental challenges through imaginative research, hands-on education, and public programs that foster environmental conversations among people from business, government, academia, and advocacy.

April 18:

1:30 p.m.  Exhibit area opens

2:30–5:30 p.m. Program

Welcome: Paul Robbins, dean, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Human-Caused Climate Change, Global Biodiversity, and Solutions: Patrick Gonzalez, executive director, University of California–Berkeley Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity

Sci-Fi to Fact: The Intended Consequences of Helping Nature Thrive: Ryan Phelan, cofounder and executive director, Revive & Restore

Addressing Human Mobility in a Warming World: Challenges and Opportunities: Erica Bower, climate displacement researcher, Human Rights Watch

6 p.m. Exhibit area closes

April 19:

9–9:50 a.m. Breakout sessions

Earth’s Biosphere in Flux: Terrestrial Ecosystems Transformed by Climate Change: Hosted by the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research

Learning to Make Running Water Walk: Partnering for Resilience in the Coon Creek Watershed in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin: Hosted by the Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment

Becoming W.I.S.E.: UW–Madison’s Global Health Institute Prepares for the Next Pandemic: Hosted by the Global Health Institute

10–10:50 a.m. Breakout sessions

Detecting Species on the Move: Hosted by the Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and Global Environment

Framing the Message to Engage with Volunteer Monitoring and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species: Hosted by the UW Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute

Renewable Energy, Agriculture, and Home: Wisconsin’s Changing Landscapes: Hosted by the Wisconsin Energy Institute, the Office of Sustainability, and the Energy, Analysis, and Policy Program

11–11:50 a.m. Breakout sessions

How Do Species on the Move Impact the Ecology of Their New Home?: Hosted by the Nelson Institute Center for Ecology and the Environment

Species on the Move for Creative Writers: A Reading and Collective Journaling Session in Response to the Essay “Living Words” by Brigitte Baptiste: Hosted by the 4W Initiative

Seeking Sanctuary: What Human and Wildlife Migration Have in Common:Hosted by the Loka Initiative

11:50 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Closing plenary session

Andrea Akall’eq Burgess, global director of conservation in partnership with Indigenous peoples and local communities, The Nature Conservancy