Environmental Wellness

If you want to relax and unwind outside, UW has you covered. The Wisconsin Union terrace along lake Mendota is a create place for that. You could also try walking along Lakeshore path out to picnic point or heading over to lake Monona and walk along the path and terrace there.

If you want more of an outdoor workout, UW has you covered too! Hoofers provides instructions and outings for various outdoor activities such as skiing and sailing; this is great for students and staff. Madison also has some great running trails, and is very bike friendly! Even if you don’t own a bike, Madison BCycle has stops all around downtown.

We are all citizens of the world and of our communities. Being able to help others and our shared environment can be a rewarding experience. The Morgridge Center for Public Service has options for students to volunteer with environmental groups. If you don’t find one to fit your interests on their webpage, you can also use volunteeryourtime.org to find opportunities near you that have to do with the environment and sustainability.

The Morgridge Center also has opportunities for faculty and staff to get involved. You could teach a community based learning course or use the Wisconsin Idea Exchange to find community partners.

If you want to learn about the global environment in a more academic way, The Nelson Institute is a great resource. They have information on undergraduate majors and certificates related to environmental studies as well as higher education options. For staff and community members interesting in learning more, they host events and lectures dedicated to environmental topics.

Bike Safety

Many Madison roads have bike lines or share the road signs and there are paths to making biking more accessible. If you don’t own a bike, Madison BCycle is a great option. They have a discount for UW students and staff. UW Housing has some great bike safety tips. We also recommend using a bike light and reflectors when riding at night.

Winter Woes

We all know that Wisconsin gets cold; not just a little chilly, but below 0, polar vortex cold. Frostbite, or frostnip (the beginning stage of frostbite) can be of real concern. According to Mayo Clinic, the risk goes up when the temperature dips below 5 degrees Fahrenheit, even when there isn’t much wind. Frostnip is mostly likely to happen on your toes and fingers, so make sure to wear gloves and warm socks under winter boots. Wearing a warm coat, a hat, and scarf, and layers of clothing are also good ideas for the really cold days.

Campus Crime

The University of Wisconsin Police Department works hard to make sure our campus is a safe environment for all. They’ve compiled a list of crime prevention tips to help you stay safe. Also make sure you’re signed up for WiscAlerts, which will let you know when something happens on campus and whether or not you are in immediate danger.

The environment doesn’t just include the nature around you but also the spaces you call home and the people you surround yourself with.

Making College Feel like Home

Being away from your family and hometown can be hard sometimes. It’s totally normal to feel homesick every once in a while. There are some ways you can make your living space feel a bit more like home. Bring something with that reminds you of home, like a few pictures.

Making college feel like home is about more than just the things in your room though, it’s about making the friends you meet here feel like family. Check out our social wellness page for more info on this.

Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People

Surrounding yourself with people who are supportive, positive, and caring is important to your overall wellness.

If you are in a relationship that you think may be harming your well-being, UHS has couple/partner counseling that may be able to help.

HOW TO RECYCLE THE RIGHT WAY

A lot of us want to recycle, but we don’t always know what items to put where. Let us sort a few things out for you.

First, make sure you dump out any food or liquids before recycling. Dirty recyclables can’t be used. Don’t forget to put food waste into the compost bins around campus rather than the trash!

Once you’ve dumped any food or liquids, separate the remaining items into the right bins. For bins labeled “Mixed Paper” you can put in newspaper, cardboard, any printer or notebook paper, paper bags, sticky notes, and glossy paper like magazines. Non-recyclable paper items include paper cups, greasy cardboard, and photo paper.

For bins labeled “cans, glass, plastic” you can put in many types of plastic, aluminum cans, and glass bottles or jars. Keep the caps/lids on when you recycle these items. Non-recyclable items include plastic wrap, plastic bags, foil, and broken glass.

Lastly, you don’t need to crush cans or plastic bottles before recycling them. A good rule of thumb is to recycle things as you bought them.

For more information, visit the Office of Sustainability’s pages on recycling and composting.

Learn more about recycling from the Office of Sustainability!

Section written in conjunction with Nathan Jandl from the Office of Sustainability. 

Get Involved!

Do you have something to add to the sustainability conversation on campus? Join the ASM Sustainability Committee or attend a meeting to have your voice heard.

Spending time in nature can actually make you happier! Lucky for you, UW’s campus is ready-made with natural areas and beauty. Check out these 10 best views on campus.

Check out the Lakeshore Nature Preserve by walking or biking along the Lakeshore Path or hanging out at picnic point.

Another great option a bit off the beaten path is the UW Arboretum. This area has lots of wildlife and ecological diversity for you to enjoy. There are lots of trails to walk or hike and bird watch along the way.

The City of Madison, Parks Division has over 200 parks, so you’re bound to live or work near one. They have a great interactive map so you can find the park nearest you!

People are often happiest during the time they spend outside. Even just walking to class through a pretty part of campus or sitting out on the terrace after a long day at work bring people joy. Here are some ideas to reconnect with nature that won’t take away from your day to day routine.

• Eat lunch outside. UW has many tables and benches outdoors that make this easier.
• Walk the long way to class. Leave just 5 minutes earlier sometime to take the scenic route.
• Play Frisbee, go for a run, or toss a football around with your friends or family.