Apply for a Use, Teaching, & Research Permit

A student wearing waders stands in Willow Creek up to his waist and collects a water sample while another student in waders watches from the shore. — Biocore students collect water samples from Willow Creek. Photo by Cathie Bruner.

We encourage use of the Preserve, especially for teaching and research. Still, we must protect the landscape’s biological, cultural, and archaeological resources in accordance with the Preserve’s educational mission and UW policies. Therefore, we ask potential users of the Preserve to apply for a Use, Teaching, and Research permit.

Permits allow us to:

Minimize conflicts between users, control unsuitable uses, and coordinate your project with campus security and restoration activities.
Share with UW administration the valuable role the Preserve serves as an outdoor laboratory on campus.
Archive and share data about the Preserve by asking all permit holders to submit a short annual report.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Director at lakeshorepreserve@fpm.wisc.edu or 608-265-9275.

Who Needs a Permit?

Students observe a researcher banding a songbird. — Photo by Alison Duff.

If you plan to use the Preserve as a venue for a public event, host a private class, collect fees for an activity, or use it as a regular meeting location, please complete the form below to apply for a permit. You may be asked later to provide insurance information.

If you plan to teach or conduct research in the Preserve, please complete the form below to apply for a permit. This includes one-time, short-term, or long-term (more than 1 year) teaching or research projects.

Projects that involve passive observation or data collection from trails and roads require 1 week’s lead time for acknowledgment.
Projects that involve collecting organisms, off-trail trampling or minor disruption, or changes to vegetation, animals, soils, or hydrology require approval. Please allow up to 2 weeks’ lead time for approval.
Please re-register your activity each semester/summer session you use the Preserve.

Please note that other uses not listed above may require a permit. If in doubt, please contact the Preserve Director at lakeshorepreserve@fpm.wisc.edu or 608-265-9275.

You will need the following information to complete the application:

Use/teaching/research description
Possible impacts and precautions (if any)
Desired use/teaching/research location
List of unattended equipment (if any)
Vehicle information (if requesting use)
Supervising instructor/advisor contact information (if applicable)

Please review the Teaching and Research Policy before completing the form. Fill out the following form as completely as possible. When it is completed, hit “Submit permit application”.

Note: After you hit “Submit Permit Application” button, wait for the page to refresh, then scroll down the page to confirm the application was submitted successfully.

Permit Application

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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Note:
Fields with an asterisk * are required.
Name*
First Last
Title (if applicable)
Institution/department/agency/organization/business*
Phone*
Email*
Students, please complete the following section
Instructor/adviser name
First Last
Instructor/adviser title
Instructor/adviser phone
Instructor/adviser email
Timeline
Proposed start date*
Proposed end date*
Use/Teaching/Research Information
Activity type (choose from drop-down list)*
Course number and title (if applicable)
Research project title (if applicable)
How many people will be attending or involved in activity?*
Provide a brief description of the activity.*
Please check the boxes next to the true statements. The Preserve Director may contact you to discuss.*
- I will collect a fee for this activity.
- The public will be invited to this activity.
- This activity includes youth participants.
- I am working with the Office of Youth Protection to follow all UW policies related to youth activities.
- None of the above statements apply to this activity.
List all of the locations in the Preserve you would like to use*
What impacts or changes to the Preserve, if any, will result from your activity? (If none, write "None")*
Describe precautions you will take to minimize negative impacts on Preserve resources. (None if left blank.)
Does your activity require areas to be restricted in use or require specific management? For example, you don't want invasive plants removed from your research plots or you want your research plots to be included in prescribed burns.*
- Yes
- No
If yes, please explain in as much detail as possible.
Will your project involve collecting (including soil)?*
- Yes
- No
If yes, list what you would like to collect (to the species if possible) and the approximate numbers or amount. (Please note, because the Preserve shelters significant archaeological sites and cultural resources, there are restrictions on digging and penetrating the soil in some areas. Preserve staff may contact you for more information or discuss your plans.)
Will your project involve pesticides?*
- Yes
- No
If yes, please explain your proposed use of pesticides and specifically which pesticide (Please note: the use of pesticides in the Preserve is restricted and requires authorization. They may only be applied by trained personnel with oversight by the Preserve Director.)
Does your project involve the use or handling of vertebrates?*
- Yes
- No
If you answered "Yes" above, please upload an approved Observation Waiver or Vertebrate Animal Care and Use Protocol for our files.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 24 MB.
Specifically list any unattended equipment or items (art installations, traps, flagging, boards, signs, etc.) that will be left in the Preserve during the activity and their location. All items must have the permit number attached to them and must be removed upon completion of the project. (None if left blank)
Vehicle Use
Only authorized motorized vehicles are permitted. Their use must be kept to a minimum and restricted to paved and gravel roads. Vehicle permits are issued by the Preserve Director.
Are you requesting use of a vehicle in the Preserve?*
- Yes
- No
Vehicle make/model/license plate #
Permit Terms
By signing below you agree to do the following:
-Submit an end of project report or, for multiyear projects, an annual progress report
-Put permit number on all equipment or items left on site
-Remove all equipment or items from the Preserve at the completion of the activity
-Help steward Preserve lands and report any concerns during the use/teaching/research activity
Agreement*
- I agree to the terms of this permit.
Signature (enter full name)*
Date*
Note: After you hit "Submit Permit Application" button, wait for page to refresh, then scroll down page to confirm application was submitted successfully.

Who Needs a Permit?

You will need the following information to complete the application:

Note: After you hit “Submit Permit Application” button, wait for the page to refresh, then scroll down the page to confirm the application was submitted successfully.

Permit Application

Note:

Students, please complete the following section

Timeline

Use/Teaching/Research Information

Vehicle Use

Permit Terms