The Arboretum Issue
Jeff Miller-UW Madison
The Arb through the ages
Once a farm, almost a subdivision, the UW Arboretum has never been static.
Apr 19, 2018
Judith Davidoff
Nature projects
Chuck Henrikson is an avid birder. He’s also a citizen scientist, reporting all of the birds he sees and hears to an international database. It’s one of the many ways citizen science happens at the UW Arboretum.
Apr 19, 2018
The Arboretum Issue
The UW Arboretum is a 1,200- acre swath of prairie, woods and wetland smack dab in the city of Madison. It is a recreation destination, a refuge for people seeking solace in nature and a world-class research facility.
Apr 19, 2018
Beer + oddball fruits
A collaboration between the UW Arboretum and Funk Factory Geuzeria makes unique use of botanical samples from Longenecker Gardens. But kids, don’t try this at home — you need a permit.
Apr 16, 2018
Carolyn Fath
So you think you know the Arb
Put your knowledge of Madison's beautiful outdoor laboratory to the test with our pop quiz.
Apr 19, 2018
Jeff Miller-UW Madison
Madison’s drain
The Arboretum isn’t just a natural treasure in the middle of our city. It’s also the “drain” for some 500 million gallons of the city’s stormwater each year.
Apr 19, 2018
Jeff Miller-UW Madison
Unlikely friends
Fox and coyote coexist peacefully at the Arboretum, according to researchers from the UW-Madison Urban Canid Project. It’s a rare phenomenon.
Apr 19, 2018
Susan Day
In silhouette
The Arboretum’s distinctive visual look comes from one of its early enthusiasts, Albert Gallistel. Artists working there today, like metal artist and sculptor Michael Burns, look to Gallistel for inspiration.
Apr 19, 2018
Michael Popke
Virgin territory
In the middle of a major city are 1,200 acres of natural living history, including effigy mounds, tallgrass prairies, savannas, wetlands and several forest types. One Dane County resident had never visited.
Apr 19, 2018
Linda Falkenstein
Natural facts
The bookstore at the UW Arboretum will set you up with hyperlocal guidebooks and classics of U.S. environmental literature. You might also leave with a set of scat identification cards.
Apr 19, 2018
Jeff Miller-UW Madison
Living laboratory
Everybody knows that the UW Arboretum is a great place to recreate and enjoy nature. But it’s also a living laboratory where scientists are constantly observing the environment and conducting cutting-edge experiments.
Apr 19, 2018
In the April issue
Lights, camera…Wisconsin!
The heart of the Wisconsin Film Festival is its Wisconsin’s Own programming. Here we take a closer look at six films with Wisconsin ties.
Troubles mount for Ridglan Farms
As Ridglan Farms faces probes for alleged animal abuse, some customers stop doing business with the Dane County dog breeding and research facility.
‘A perfect storm for farm foreclosure’
Wisconsin family farms face new challenges under President Trump, including tariffs, deregulation and federal funding cuts.
In ‘media’ we don’t trust
When polls focus on local news rather than national media, people indicate greater trust and connection.
Behind the Isthmus cover: April 2025
Kenton Fowler says taking photos is ‘just a fun hobby’ that gets him out to see things. ‘Photography is a time that I try and take for myself each and every day as a way to relax and enjoy our beautiful, little neighborhood around Monona Bay.’
