Chapter 5: Conservation Partnerships in Support of Higher Education

The UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies believes that interdisciplinary research and training is essential for solving global environmental problems. The Institute’s Environmental Professional Programs (EPP) play an important role in this effort by providing a cohort-based learning opportunity and curriculum that is focused on training in and reflection on conservation leadership(Bruyere, 2015). EPP consists of two professional MS programs—Environmental Conservation (EC) and Environmental Observation & Informatics (EOI). Rather than producing a research thesis, EC/EOI students complete an eight to 12-week project with a conservation nongovernmental organization, a government agency or at times a private sector or educational partner. Central to the success of EPP programs is Nelson’s network of global program partners that host EC/EOI students. Consequently, developing and maintaining this network is a key part of the EPP team’s work. In turn, to ensure that the program curriculum best meets the needs of the sector, our partners’ inputs and feedback inform our curriculum and course development. As a result, EPP’s interdisciplinary curriculum addresses a range of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), and 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy), to name a few. This chapter demonstrates the importance of having strong international partners which allows us to support a wide range of student interests while increasing the global impact of our graduate programs.