Photo galleryTesting the waters: Conservation students learn by doingUW graduate students dip their toes into ecology management as part of the Nelson Institute’s professional program course. For environmental studies students, nature can be the best classroom. In late July, graduate students enrolled in Conservation of Biodiversity spent a day at Six Mile Creek in Waunakee, Wisconsin, learning about stream ecological monitoring techniques. The graduate-level course is part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s environmental conservation professional program that prepares students to address environmental challenges through practical conservation training. Many of the graduate students go on to become volunteers with the Rock River Coalition, which leads monitoring efforts at Six Mile Creek.