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Cooperative Research Units

The Cooperative Research Units program was established in 1935—and codified by Congress in 1960— with a tripartite mission to enhance graduate education in fisheries and wildlife sciences, facilitate applied research for fish and wildlife resources, and transfer technical knowledge to natural resource agencies. 

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 website is currently undergoing a major update. Be sure to visit regularly for the latest enhancements.

Where's our Science?

Ecosystems science centers and CRU

We support 43 units in 41 states, at 44 host universities, with a Program office at USGS National Center.

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Meet Our Scientists

Two people walking up an orange creek bed.

CRU Scientists have a broad and impressive range of expertise. 

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10-year Overview

Many elk of various ages, some with antlers, some without all face the same direction with a hazy background. Steam rises from all around them.

Supporting Fish and Wildlife agency partners for natural resource management since 1935. 

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News

EcoNews | Winter 2026 - Vol. 7 | Issue 1

EcoNews | Winter 2026 - Vol. 7 | Issue 1

Finding and defending grassland cores using spatial covariance

Finding and defending grassland cores using spatial covariance

Trees Act Their Size, Not Their Age

Trees Act Their Size, Not Their Age

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Publications

American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius, hereafter referred to as kestrel) has declined across much of its North American range since at least the mid-1960s. Kestrel population dynamics have been explored through a multitude of local studies and two broad reviews of available data. Across large geographic extents, however, the demographic cause(s) of kestrel population declines remain(s)...
Authors
Paige E. Howell, Abigail Jean Lawson, Davis Kristin P., Guthrie S. Zimmerman, Orin J. Robinson, Matthew A. Boggie, Mitchell J. Eaton, Fitsum Abadi, Jessi L. Brown, Julie A. Heath, John A. Smallwood, Karen Steenhof, Ted Swem, Brian W. Rolek, Christopher J.W. McClure, Jean-Francois Therrien, Karl E. Miller, Brian A. Milsap
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Habitat-based predictions of bridle shiner (Notropis bifrenatus) in the northeastern U.S. Habitat-based predictions of bridle shiner (Notropis bifrenatus) in the northeastern U.S.

We sought to assess bridle shiner (Notropis bifrenatus) habitat associations at local and regional scales across southern Maine and New Hampshire. We used local habitat data at 95 Maine sites to predict occupancy with classification and regression trees (CART). We then used ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) to model the historical (1898–2008) and current (2009–2022) ranges of...
Authors
Lara S. Katz, Stephen M. Coghlan, Matthew A. Carpenter, Michael T. Kinnison, Joseph D. Zydlewski
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Cooperative Research Units

Using eye lens stable isotopes to identify the rearing origin of fall age-0 walleye (Sander vitreus) Using eye lens stable isotopes to identify the rearing origin of fall age-0 walleye (Sander vitreus)

Isotope values in fish eye lenses may be useful in differentiating rearing origins. We compared eye lens isotopic values of fall fingerling age-0 walleye (Sander vitreus) reared in a hatchery pond, a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and a natural lake. Using 10 fish per rearing source, we delaminated layers from one eye lens per fish to assess temporal changes in carbon (δ13C) and...
Authors
Justin M. Sturtz, Benjamin J. Schall, Matthew J. Ward, Cody E. Treft, Steven R. Chipps, Christopher A. Cheek
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Cooperative Research Units
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Science

Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

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.
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Cooperative Research Units
Research

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.
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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

The Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (est. 1980) is a partnership among the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, University of Wyoming, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
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Cooperative Research Units
Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

The Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (est. 1980) is a partnership among the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, University of Wyoming, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

The West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (est. 1986) is a partnership among the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, West Virginia University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
By
Cooperative Research Units
West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

The West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (est. 1986) is a partnership among the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, West Virginia University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
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Multimedia

Cooperative Research Units located in the Southeast Region.
Cooperative Research Units - Southeast
Cooperative Research Units - Southeast
Cooperative Research Units - Northeast Region
Cooperative Research Units - Northeast Region
Cooperative Research Units - Northeast Region
A map of Cooperative Research Unit locations.
Cooperative Research Unit Map
Cooperative Research Unit Map
A map of the Cooperative Research Units in the western region.
Cooperative Research Units - Western Region
Cooperative Research Units - Western Region
Dan Ashe, Simon Roosevelt, and Lowell Baier
Dan Ashe, Simon Roosevelt, and Lowell Baier
Dan Ashe, Simon Roosevelt, and Lowell Baier
Lowell Baier (left) and John Organ (right) pose for a picture.
Lowell Baier and John Organ
Lowell Baier and John Organ
Guadalupe Bass
Guadalupe Bass
Guadalupe Bass
Floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River
Floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River
Floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River
Researcher is tagging pronghorn fawn
Researcher is tagging pronghorn fawn in Oklahoma
Researcher is tagging pronghorn fawn in Oklahoma
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