Protect, Preserve,
Enhance, Restore.
Blazing the way for conservation and education.
We didn't name ourselves Eco U® – that honor was bestowed upon us in the 1970s by the national media. The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity's (CCB) work is crucial for the conservation of the western Great Lakes fauna and flora. Our staff and students foster a community that values and actively participates in conservation, making a lasting impact on the environment.
Peregrine Falcons
Hear a kak-kak-kak on campus? Look up! Those are Peregrine Falcons, the fastest animal on Earth.
Money For Your Education
Cultivate funds for your research and education through grants and scholarships offered by the CCB.
Visit Us
Come visit us in Mary Ann Cofrin (MAC) Hall, room 212, on the UW-Green Bay campus!
The Mission of the Center
It's a collective effort! The CCB manages 1,400 acres of biodiversity through our five unique natural areas (including our Arboretum), the Richter Museum and the Fewless Herbarium. We empower students with over $25,000 in grants and scholarships annually to support their educational journeys.
Enjoy the Arboretum
With nearly 290 acres, the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum is a living laboratory for local scientists, including students, faculty and staff. Located right on campus, it's more than just a lab—it's home to 45 mammal species and over 200 bird species, along with native plants, fungi, amphibians, reptiles, insects and other arthropods.
Research Across 1,400 Acres
Five natural areas across NE Wisconsin boast a unique variety of ecosystems. Each provides invaluable research and educational opportunities for students and the community that shape policy decisions and restoration efforts.
Unlocking New Solutions
Collaborating with agencies like the DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution, students, faculty and community scientists are completing research to inform policy and support conservation efforts.
Among the Few
The Fewless Herbarium is one of only about 3,500 herbaria across the world. Think of it like a museum for plants. Here at UW-Green Bay, we have over 45,000 vascular and non-vascular plant specimens. And that number is growing, with 90% being from Wisconsin.
Recording History
With almost 12,000 sets of eggs, the Richter Museum's bird egg collection is one of the largest in North America. We also have birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, non-vertebrates and other artifacts, all to record history for future discoveries.
What is
Biodiversity?
Put simply, biodiversity is the variety of life.
Here in the western Great Lakes, we are incredibly biodiverse, hosting a range of plants, animals and natural communities. For example, we’re a critical hotspot for migratory and breeding birds, like warblers, sparrows and thrushes; about 450+ bird species call Wisconsin home. Our habitat types range from grasslands to woodlands to wetlands, from Toft Point's boreal forest to Kingfisher Farm's mesic prairie.
Connect with Us!
Follow UW-Green Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity on social media to stay informed about our news, connect with other students and faculty and be aware of opportunities.
Meet a
Phoenix
"The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity has given me many opportunities to grow educationally and professionally, and network with other organizations. I have obtained an herbicide certificate, learned an array of native and invasive plants, along with learning different management techniques for natural areas from my supervisors. We have worked with different agencies and organizations such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin DNR."
Haillee Fritsch '24
Land Management Technician
Ask an Expert
Talking about conservation comes naturally to Mandy Banet, Director of the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. She also thrives on answering any question!