The Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center – a new ‘front door’ to the Preserve

Through generous support from the late Madison philanthropist Jerry Frautschi, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will set the standard for environmental stewardship and sustainability with a new visitor and education center at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. The Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center will showcase UW-Madison’s commitment to sustainability by being one of the state’s first Living Buildings and UW-Madison’s first net-positive energy building (meaning it will produce more energy than it consumes). The Frautschi Center will support hands-on learning experiences and serve as a welcoming and accessible “front door” to explore historical, cultural, and natural resources of the Preserve.

Beyond offering essential amenities like accessible restrooms, drinking water, and modern meeting spaces for Preserve users, including UW classes, the 11,000-square-foot Frautschi Center will foster collaboration between Preserve staff, student employees, and volunteers to work – and a gathering place for the community. In addition, purpose-built office, workshop, and garage spaces will empower those responsible for its care and management to maintain a safe, healthy, and biodiverse natural area, while expanding the university’s capacity for teaching, research, and public outreach within the Preserve.