Research
Technical Assistance
Graduate education
Cooperative Research Units
Established in 1935 at Iowa State University, our mission is our hallmark: work with University students to develop the conservation workforce, help decision-makers make complex conservation decisions, and to provide technical assistance between natural resource agencies and universities. We support 43 units located in 41 States, at 44 host universities. Our Program Office is in Reston, Virginia.
2023 Year in Review
2023 Year in Review
We have more than 700 research projects under way and generate 400-500 scientific publications annually.
10-year Overview
10-year Overview
Supporting Fish and Wildlife agency partners for natural resource management since 1935.
Where's our Science?
Where's our Science?
We support 43 units in 41 states, at 44 host universities, with a Program office at USGS National Center.
News
Effects of cattle grazing on demographic traits of greater sage-grouse
Effects of cattle grazing on demographic traits of greater sage-grouse
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
Sustainability trade-offs across modeled floating solar waterscapes of the Northeastern United States Sustainability trade-offs across modeled floating solar waterscapes of the Northeastern United States
Expansion of floating photovoltaic (FPV) solar systems provides a low-conflict renewable energy option to help mitigate climate change while sparing land, but potential sustainability trade-offs remain unquantified. We compare the technical potential of maximum FPV deployment to address the climate crisis with FPV-buildout scenarios that prioritize biodiversity and social values across...
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
This “U.S. Geological Survey Pollinator Science Strategy, 2025–35—A Review and Look Forward” (“Pollinator Science Strategy”) describes the science vision of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support management, conservation, and policy decisions on animal pollinators and their habitats. As the science arm of the Department of the Interior, the USGS has a primary role in providing...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
Expanding national-scale wildlife disease surveillance systems with research networks Expanding national-scale wildlife disease surveillance systems with research networks
Efficient learning about disease dynamics in free-ranging wildlife systems can benefit from active surveillance that is standardized across different ecological contexts. For example, active surveillance that targets specific individuals and populations with standardized sampling across ecological contexts (landscape-scale targeted surveillance) is important for developing a mechanistic...
Science
Artificial Intelligence in the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area
As a data-driven bureau, the USGS Ecosystem Mission Area (EMA) relies on artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently gather, analyze, and deliver natural resource information to Federal, State, Tribal, academic, and industry partners. USGS EMA scientists are developing and testing innovative uses of AI, including machine learning, deep neural network models, and photogrammetry, to streamline the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Cooperative Research Units, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Environmental Health Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities
Stories from the Field
We value input from members of state fish and wildlife agencies, universities, and our supporters. Following the original legislation that created the CRU Program (Public Law 86–686, 74 Stat. 733), all Unit research priorities are set locally at each Unit in consultation with Federal and State cooperators. Unit scientists and supervisors work with cooperators to help them identify their research...
Corridor Mapping Team: Ungulate Migrations of the West
Advancing the conservation and understanding of Wyoming's migratory hooved animals (mule deer, elk, pronghorn, etc.). The Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is led by USGS federal researchers. The Wyoming Migration Initiative is a University of Wyoming’s Zoology and Physiology Department-based collaborative of biologists, photographers, mapmakers, and writers working to research...
