Field Notes: Conservation of Biodiversity

Forget four walls and a whiteboard. This classroom comes with a lake view. For students in the Nelson Institute’s environmental conservation master’s program, biodiversity comes to life in the field. In Conservation of Biodiversity, one of the program’s first courses, students explore Madison’s lakes, streams, and green spaces while gaining hands-on experience with the ecosystems around them. On Lake Monona, students used aquatic rakes to discover what’s living beneath the surface, collecting and identifying native and invasive plants while examining the impacts of nutrient runoff and algal blooms. The fieldwork gives students a chance to dig into real-world conservation challenges while exploring their new home, getting to know their classmates, and building connections within their cohort. Follow along to discover what lies beneath the surface of Lake Monona — and what these students pull up.