Ken Genskow

Professor Ken Genskow is a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, within the College of Letters & Science. He holds affiliations with UW-Extension as a Specialist and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. His expertise spans environmental planning, watershed governance, and collaborative resource management, with a focus on integrating social science into environmental initiatives. Genskow earned his BS in General Engineering, Master’s in Urban Planning, and PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois and UW-Madison.

His research emphasizes evaluating collaborative watershed management, nutrient reduction strategies, and the effectiveness of outreach programs targeting water quality and agricultural practices. Notable projects include directing UW-Extension’s Environmental Resources Center, supporting programs like Farmer-led Watershed Councils and Volunteer Stream Monitoring. Genskow’s work often bridges academic research with practical applications, such as developing social indicators for watershed evaluation and analyzing climate change impacts on dairy farming.

His recent publications address agricultural diversification, rural water resource perceptions, and policy frameworks for nutrient reduction. Genskow’s outreach efforts involve partnerships across Wisconsin and regionally, focusing on sustainable agriculture, invasive species management, and woodland owner education.