Gaylord Nelson: A Vision for the Earth

How do you make history?

Gaylord Nelson had an idea for a day focused on the environment. That idea would become the internationally recognized annual event, Earth Day, and would inspire generations of people to learn about and care for the earth. Born and raised in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, Gaylord went on to become a state senator, governor of Wisconsin, and a United States senator. With every step he took in his career and in his life, he kept his eyes on the environment. He advocated for change in the halls of government, in classrooms, and in communities, to ensure a better world for us all.

Meet Gaylord Nelson

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Questions to Consider

What was Gaylord Nelson’s childhood like? How did it affect what he did as an adult?

Why did Nelson want to have a day focused on the environment? How did his idea lead to the first Earth Day?

A vision can be what you plan or imagine for the future. What was Gaylord Nelson’s vision for the earth? What is yours?

Peek Into the Past

South Clear Lake, WI

A postcard of South Clear Lake, WI. Gaylord grew up in the town of Clear Lake.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-110605.

A black and white photograph of Gaylord Nelson. He stands on the sidewalk in front of a shrub. He is wearing a plain collared shirt and pants. He is looking to the right of the viewer and has his left hand in his pocket and his right arm at his side.

Young Gaylord Nelson

Gaylord Nelson in high school

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-5893.

In this black and white photo, Gaylord stands next to his mother. He is wearing a graduation cap and gown and has his right hand around his mother's arm.

College Graduation

Gaylord graduated from San Jose State College in 1939. Here he is with his mother, Mary at graduation.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-5904.

Army Portrait

During World War II, Gaylord was a first lieutenant in the United States Army.

Tia Nelson.

Gaylord for Congress

An election newsletter from when Gaylord ran to represent Wisconsin in the US Senate.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-97241.

A black and white image of Gaylord Nelson standing outside with the United States Capitol building behind him.

Senator Nelson

Gaylord Nelson at the United States Capitol.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-45337.

A black and white image of President John F. Kennedy and Gaylord Nelson walking away from a helicopter.

JFK and Nelson

The conservation tour that Gaylord went on with President Kennedy did not have the impact he hoped it would.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-103120.

In this black and white photograph, several young people are walking together. One person is carrying a flag with the ecology symbol on it. Part of a bus is also visible.

Earth Day March

An Earth Day march in Madison, Wisconsin, took place on April 21, 1970. Photo by Bruce Fritz for The Capital Times.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-48104.

A color image showing Gaylord Nelson speaking at a podium, with a United States flag and ecology flag behind him.

Earth Day Speech

Gaylord giving a speech in April 1970, Earth Week, standing in front of the Earth Day Flag.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-48017.

A black and white image showing Gaylord Nelson next to his daughter Tia, who is looking at him.

Gaylord and Tia

Tia Nelson and her father Gaylord Nelson together at a rally.

Tia Nelson.

A black and white photo of Gaylord with his wife and three children, posing for a photo outside in front of water and trees.

Nelson Family

Gaylord with his wife, Carrie Lee, and his three children, Gaylord Jr., Tia, and Jeffrey.

Tia Nelson.

A full color photograph of Gaylord Nelson as an older adult. His head and shoulders are visible and he is looking directly at the viewer. He wears a multicolor plaid shirt. Behind him are trees and water.

Gaylord Outdoors

Gaylord dedicated his career to fighting for the environment. Photo by Fritz Albert.

Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-117862.

Read On

Get the full story with this biography book. Audio files are available on each page if you’d like to listen along!

Project Credits

Producer
Mia Forslund

Illustration
Rodney Lambright II

Animation
Steven Dorchester

Animation Voice Over
Tia Nelson

Sound Design
Beauxregard Neylon

Audiobook Narration
Paul Elite

Audiobook Editing
Kerman Eckes

Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Vicki Way Kipp

Translation Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison Cultural Linguistic Services

Educator Support Materials
Mia Forslund

Web
John Vieth
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Tim Schneider

Design
Charles Barrows

Additional Production Support
Philip Ashby
Georgia Beaverson
John Dachik
Luisa de Vogel
Ian Glodich
Becky Marburger
Tom Micksch
Jessie Nixon
Ann Wilkens

Special Thanks
Tia Nelson, Andy Adams, Parwat Regmi and the Outrider Foundation

Arik Kriha, Lisa Marine, Sheri Dolfen, Sally Jacobs, and the Wisconsin Historical Society

Catherine Phan and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives

Raul Galvan and Milwaukee PBS

Emily Reynolds, Ann Swenson, and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Executive Producer
Megan Monday

Director of Education
Alyssa Tsagong

Director of Television
Jon Miskowski

Story Advisors

Pam Brandt and her students
Lowell Elementary School
Madison, WI
(2020)

Pam Dempsey
James C. Wright Middle School
Madison, WI
(2021)

Lisa Husnick
Lodi Elementary School
Lodi, WI
(2021)

Karen Ohm and her students Gaylord A. Nelson Educational Center
Clear Lake, WI
(2020)

Kacey Paulson and her students Gaylord A. Nelson Educational Center
Clear Lake, WI
(2020)

Chris Petersen
Gaylord A. Nelson Educational Center
Clear Lake, WI
(2020)

Susan Plewa
Gaenslen School
Milwaukee, WI
(2021)

Beth Weiland and her students Gaylord A. Nelson Educational Center
Clear Lake, WI
(2020)

Jay Carlson

Lynne Cherry

Bill Christofferson

Sheila Terman Cohen

Liese Dart

Bruce Fritz

Brian Hamilton

Bill Meadows

Edward Norton

Adam Rome

Mark Weller

Fred Wessel

Funding provided by

Gisela Brogan

The Single Step Foundation

The Focus Fund for Education

Friends of PBS Wisconsin