Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research 2025 Year in Review
From the Director
As we welcome 2026, I would like to share some of the exciting moments from this past year for the Center for Climatic Research (CCR). I believe that you will find countless demonstrations of CCR’s dedication to its mission to advance understanding of the climate system through interdisciplinary investigation of past, present, and future climate and use this knowledge for socially-relevant purposes.
Read on to learn how our faculty, staff, and students were recognized on campus, across the country, and around the world through grants, fellowships, awards, and more. It is an honor to serve as the director of a research center with such talent, where each member is wholeheartedly dedicated to the Wisconsin Idea. This past year brought many exciting moments for CCR, from national accolades to student engagement to community outreach — even a concert. See the “Events” section of this page for a full digest of our exciting achievements in 2025.
CCR’s achievements in research, education, and outreach during 2025 were accomplished despite a challenging environment for climate research and funding for youth education programs. Thank you for your continued support of CCR — whether by engaging or contributing financially. I feel incredibly proud to direct this center; I hope this report gives you a sense of pride in being a friend of CCR.
On, Wisconsin!
Michael Notaro
Director, Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research
mnotaro@wisc.edu
Table of Contents
Event Recaps
CCR hosted and participated in a diverse array of seminars, conferences, and public outreach events in 2025.
Partnerships
CCR was a key collaborator with campus partners focused on supporting Wisconsin’s rural communities.
Research Highlights
CCR scientists are leading the way on important research aimed at building resilience to severe weather and improving forecast models.