FORT economists and social scientists investigate the complex relationship between nature and humans
Research includes studies of outdoor recreation, wildfire risk assessments, and economic impacts of invasive grasses.
Research includes studies of outdoor recreation, wildfire risk assessments, and economic impacts of invasive grasses.
FORT scientists produce tools and research for better management of invasive species
FORT invasive species research spans a wide range of taxonomic groups and landscapes, from python invaders in the Everglades to annual grasses that exacerbate wildland fire risk in the western United states.
FORT invasive species research spans a wide range of taxonomic groups and landscapes, from python invaders in the Everglades to annual grasses that exacerbate wildland fire risk in the western United states.
FORT researchers improve methods for effective monitoring and management of wild horses and burros.
FORT researchers produce cutting-edge science and resource mapping to inform energy development in southwestern Wyoming
FORT scientists investigate infectious diseases like chronic wasting disease, plague, and white-nose syndrome to support the management of wildlife populations
FORT Laboratories and Facilities like the Molecular Ecology Lab provide essential capabilities to support the Department of Interior
FORT researchers conduct world-class science on the effects and consequences of drought across the western United States
Fort Collins Science Center
Welcome to the Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, just east of the Rocky Mountains. At FORT we develop and disseminate research-based information and tools needed to understand the nation’s natural resources in support of effective decision making.
Burmese Pythons Invade the Everglades
Burmese Pythons Invade the Everglades
The Florida Everglades encompass a vast subtropical ecosystem. Billions of dollars have been committed to the long-term restoration of this ecosystem, but burgeoning populations of introduced and invasive reptiles threaten prospects for restoration.
North American Bat Monitoring Program
North American Bat Monitoring Program
The North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) is an international, interagency program designed to monitor bat distributions and abundances on public and private lands, and provide trend data at the state, provincial, tribal, regional, and range-wide scales.
Science in Support of Resource Management
Science in Support of Resource Management
The pages below highlight current science in support of the research priorities of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s resource management bureaus as well as other Federal and State agencies, Native American Tribes, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
News
FORT Updates: From Plains to Peaks - Vol. 4 | Issue 3
FORT Updates: From Plains to Peaks - Vol. 4 | Issue 3
FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 18: Ecological research supporting wild horse and burro management
FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 18: Ecological research supporting wild horse and burro management
FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 17: Large mammal science for management of public lands
FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 17: Large mammal science for management of public lands
Publications
Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2025 Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2025
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) are at the center of State and national land-use policies largely because of their unique life-history traits as an ecological indicator for the health of sagebrush ecosystems. This updated population analysis provides State and Federal land and wildlife managers with the best available science to help guide...
Mountain lion prey-selection in a community comprised of native and introduced ungulate species Mountain lion prey-selection in a community comprised of native and introduced ungulate species
Species introductions are a hallmark of human influence on ecosystems worldwide. In communities where native and introduced fauna coexist, predators may select prey based on availability or vulnerability. Free-roaming feral horses (Equus caballus) are a recent addition to North America and have become widespread, abundant, and in some areas serve as major prey for mountain lions (Puma...
Science
Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations
Long-term wildlife monitoring is imperative for understanding population changes that can inform managers. However, working with population data collected by different organizations across multiple jurisdictions and over long time periods can be challenging due to varying data management approaches and organizational priorities. Through this project, we aimed to collaborate with eleven state...
Actionable science for managing public lands
Our team of biologists, ecologists, and social scientists focuses on coproducing actionable science products to support natural resource planning and management. Broadly, our research involves working to better understand and bridge the research-management gap through a variety of mechanisms, including coproduction and relationship-building, science synthesis and summary, and identification of...
Identifying Chains of Consequences and Interventions for Post-fire Hazards and Impacts to Resources and Ecosystems
As part of a broader USGS project on Post-fire Hazards and Impacts to Resources and Ecosystems (PHIRE): Support for Response, Recovery, and Mitigation, the PHIRE social science team convenes stakeholders involved in post-fire hazard science and decision-making to identify potential consequences resulting from post-fire hazard scenarios along with strategies to reduce the likelihood or severity of...
