Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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 biological resources in support of effective decision making.

News

USGS and partners publish a structured science synthesis (SSS) about the effects of nonmotorized recreation on ungulates

USGS and partners publish a structured science synthesis (SSS) about the effects of nonmotorized recreation on ungulates

U.S. Geological Survey Pollinator Science Strategy, 2025–35—A Review and Look Forward

U.S. Geological Survey Pollinator Science Strategy, 2025–35—A Review and Look Forward

Scientists with the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) coauthor new, more comprehensive method for estimating bat species distributions and trends over time

Scientists with the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) coauthor new, more comprehensive method for estimating bat species distributions and trends over time

Publications

Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System

Research shows that climate change is already affecting both resources and visitors in U.S. National Parks. We sought to better understand if and how park staff across the National Park Service are adapting to climatic changes that affect visitor use, as well as barriers and challenges to adaptation and information needs. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 63 staff...
Authors
Emily J. Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Samantha G. Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela B. Daniele, Spencer A. Wood

Assessing the potential for evaluation of wildland fire models using remotely sensed data—Summary proceedings from a U.S. Geological Survey workshop in 2024 Assessing the potential for evaluation of wildland fire models using remotely sensed data—Summary proceedings from a U.S. Geological Survey workshop in 2024

On September 19, 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) held a virtual workshop titled “Potential for Evaluation of Fire Models with Remote Sensing Data Workshop” to assess the feasibility of using remotely sensed datasets to evaluate next-generation wildland fire behavior models. Remote sensing and fire modelling experts gathered to: (1) assess the suitability of a variety of...
Authors
Sophie R. Bonner, Kurtis J. Nelson, Peter G. Rinkleff, Chad M. Hoffman, Paul F. Steblein

Using public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) to explore uses and values for Mojave Trails National Monument, California Using public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) to explore uses and values for Mojave Trails National Monument, California

Many people ascribe a variety of values to public lands and waters, but some values are more difficult to assess and quantify than others. Public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) are tools that have been used to help quantify and map the public’s diverse values for a landscape. This work describes the first known Office of Management and Budget–approved use of PPGIS...
Authors
Emily J. Wilkins, Sarah M. Lindley, Karla Rogers, Rudy Schuster, Mark T. Hannon, Parker T. Rowland, Michael J. Runnels

Science

Research to support conservation of America’s national mammal, the bison

Once numbering in the tens of millions, plains bison ( Bison bison bison) were nearly driven to extinction with only a few hundred individuals remaining by the late 19th century. Plains bison have since recovered to approximately 20,000 animals managed in conservation herds throughout North America, yet substantial challenges to their recovery remain. The Department of the Interior (DOI) stewards...
Research to support conservation of America’s national mammal, the bison

Research to support conservation of America’s national mammal, the bison

Once numbering in the tens of millions, plains bison ( Bison bison bison) were nearly driven to extinction with only a few hundred individuals remaining by the late 19th century. Plains bison have since recovered to approximately 20,000 animals managed in conservation herds throughout North America, yet substantial challenges to their recovery remain. The Department of the Interior (DOI) stewards...
Learn More

Feasibility of Remote Sensing Data Sets for Evaluation of Next Generation Fire Behavior Models

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) to advance efforts to deploy next generation fire behavior models through a research-to-operations transition to enable land managers to use advanced modeling tools for real-time decision making. As part of this effort, USGS is leading an...
Feasibility of Remote Sensing Data Sets for Evaluation of Next Generation Fire Behavior Models

Feasibility of Remote Sensing Data Sets for Evaluation of Next Generation Fire Behavior Models

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) to advance efforts to deploy next generation fire behavior models through a research-to-operations transition to enable land managers to use advanced modeling tools for real-time decision making. As part of this effort, USGS is leading an...
Learn More

Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Scientists at USGS have shown that much of the US is suitable for invasion by tegu lizards, and suitability will likely increase in the future. While tegus can be removed via trapping, it is difficult to monitor every geographic area where tegus could invade. Thus, methods for quickly detecting and removing tegus in new areas are the best way to prevent spread and minimize damage from these...
Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Scientists at USGS have shown that much of the US is suitable for invasion by tegu lizards, and suitability will likely increase in the future. While tegus can be removed via trapping, it is difficult to monitor every geographic area where tegus could invade. Thus, methods for quickly detecting and removing tegus in new areas are the best way to prevent spread and minimize damage from these...
Learn More

Multimedia

photo montage of yearly riverbed changes across 2020-2024
Channel and vegetation change along a 6-mile reach of the Middle Green River
Channel and vegetation change along a 6-mile reach of the Middle Green River
a small heard of bison walk alongside yellow and tan hills, with partly cloudy sky above Bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
screen recording of the INHABIT application, with a mouse clicking through different options and map changing in response
The Invasive Species Habitat Tool (INHABIT)
The Invasive Species Habitat Tool (INHABIT)
a large lizard stands outside of a cage in a forest. A green box outlines the lizard and a label on the box reads 'tegu .84'
Photo used to train AI-based image detection algorithms for tegu surveillance
Photo used to train AI-based image detection algorithms for tegu surveillance
two people look through binoculars at a group of bison standing out in a field, partly cloudy sky above
Observing bison behavior in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Observing bison behavior in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
two gloved hands hold a small ziploc bag containing a paper towel. Person is dressed in white body suit. Plants in background
Researchers collect eDNA samples in Florida
Researchers collect eDNA samples in Florida
a large lizard stands outside of a cage in a forest. A green box outlines the lizard and a label on the box reads 'tegu .81'
Photo used to train AI-based image detection algorithms for tegu surveillance
Photo used to train AI-based image detection algorithms for tegu surveillance
two hands hold up a large black and white spotted lizard, with tables and lab equipment in the background
Scientist holding an Argentine black-and-white tegu
Scientist holding an Argentine black-and-white tegu
two gloved hands hold a small ziploc bag containing a paper towel. Person is dressed in white body suit. Plants in background
Researchers collect eDNA samples in Florida
Researchers collect eDNA samples in Florida
Was this page helpful?