Our Units
Scientist Expertise
10-Year Overview
Cooperative Research Units
The Cooperative Research Units program was established in 1935—and codified by Congress in 1960— with a tripartite mission. Today, there are 43 units located in 41 States, at 44 host universities, with a national program office located at the U.S. Geological Survey headquarters in Reston, Virginia.
Our Tripartite Mission:
1. Deliver applied research to fish and wildlife resource decision makers,
2. Enhance graduate education in fisheries and wildlife sciences to cultivate the next generation of conservation professionals,
3. Provide robust technical assistance to personnel managing fish, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Publications
The cost of limited nocturnal roost availability on pre-migratory energy budgets in a central-place foraging shorebird, Numenius hudsonicus (Hudsonian Whimbrel) The cost of limited nocturnal roost availability on pre-migratory energy budgets in a central-place foraging shorebird, Numenius hudsonicus (Hudsonian Whimbrel)
Mobile species often travel long distances between the sites they use for different behaviors, such as central-place foragers that make daily commutes between a central roost and foraging sites. For migratory shorebird species that use coastal habitats, the limited availability of suitable nocturnal roost sites can lead individuals to commute long distances to their foraging territories...
King Rails in southeastern Arkansas are majority resident King Rails in southeastern Arkansas are majority resident
King Rails (Rallus elegans), a declining species of secretive marsh bird, have a mixed migratory strategy, with some individuals migrating and some being year-round residents. Determining the distribution of migratory versus resident King Rails is critical to guiding habitat management and assessing risks to populations. We examined the migratory status of adult King Rails at the Choctaw...
Fostering landscape resilience and species conservation in frequent fire landscapes Fostering landscape resilience and species conservation in frequent fire landscapes
Restoration of dry forest landscapes of the Pacific Northwest often involves the removal of some closed-canopy forest that has expanded due to fire exclusion, but this can conflict with species conservation when species require closed-canopy forest as part of their habitat. Fire refugia—areas within fire perimeters that burn less severely or frequently—might provide a solution to this...
Science
USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights
The USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) proudly supports Federal, State, Tribal, and other partners by delivering high-quality data, cutting-edge science, and practical tools to support natural resource management. Below are some of NOROCK’s highlights during fiscal year 2025.
Graduate Education
While becoming a leader in the conservation workforce, graduate students in the Cooperative Research Unit Program work to (1) Conduct research with USGS scientists through a host university, (2) Collaborate directly with natural resource managers to inform decision making, and (3) Earn a Master of Science or Doctoral Degree.
Research
Fish and wildlife research is essential for understanding ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. It provides the data needed to manage habitats, conserve species, and address challenges like climate change and invasive species. By studying these natural systems, we ensure healthy environments that support both wildlife and human communities.