About the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity
Improving Resiliency
If one domino falls, the rest will too.
Biodiversity is crucial for a resilient environment. Imagine dozens of butterfly and bee species thriving across the state. If we lose even one, the ripple effects would impact numerous other species. To protect our region's biodiversity, we focus on projects like restoring prairies and savannas; protecting pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumblebees; enhancing natural areas through invasive species management; and long-term monitoring to understand how our natural world is changing.
Our Partners
We're all in the biosphere together! Bringing together biologists, naturalists, educators and local businesses, we connect the expertise and the passion of faculty, volunteers and students with the scientific community and the people of northeastern Wisconsin. Thanks to our amazing partners, we achieve so much more than we could alone.
Local & Federal Agencies
We work with biologists and policy makers from public agencies – ranging from the City of Green Bay, the Town of Scott and Wisconsin DNR to federal agencies like the US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, and Environmental Protection Agency.
First Nations
Recognizing that Indigenous people were the original stewards of the land, our goal is to build relationships with Tribal communities in NE Wisconsin through projects like the Oneida Bird Monitoring Program, summer camps for indigenous youth, and the Annual Wequiock Creek Tobacco Blessing.
Conservation Organizations
Other important partnerships involve non-profit conservation organizations (The Ridges Sanctuary, Audubon Great Lakes, The Nature Conservancy) and land trusts (Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust).
Scientific Researchers
We're committed to partnerships with scientific researchers from a range of entities, including private corporations (e.g., Microsoft) and academic institutions such as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and universities from around the world.
Ecology For one & All
Diversity enriches our environment and our human endeavors.
We have a longstanding history of conserving and protecting the diverse flora and fauna across the Great Lakes region and beyond. Our commitment to preserving natural biodiversity also extends to celebrating the diversity of people. Just as a vibrant ecosystem thrives on variety, our community thrives on the inclusion and respect of all individuals. We're all in this together!
Meet a
Phoenix
"The CCB provided resources (e.g. grants, equipment, diversity of research projects, etc) to myself and other students regardless of our experience levels. This was essential to many students, including myself, to develop an idea of a career path that interested us. Without the CCB, I would not have gained the experiences in college that led to my career path I am on today."
Joshua Martinez
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Ask an Expert
Meet Erin Giese, Associate Director of the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. She champions student experience and truly enjoys training the next generation of scientists. If you have questions about the center, Erin or any of our employees at the center can help.