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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.

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...
Authors
Adam Gallaher, Elizabeth L. Kalies, Steven Mark Grodsky

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...
Authors
Clint R.V. Otto, Tabitha A. Graves, Desi Robertson-Thompson, Ian Pearse, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Caroline Murphy, Lisa Webb, Sam Droege, Melanie Steinkamp, Ralph Grundel

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...
Authors
Kim M. Pepin, Matthew A. Combs, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, M.E. Craft, Paul C. Cross, M.A. Diuk-Wasser, R.B. Gagne, Travis Gallo, Tyler Garwood, J.D. Heale, J. Hewitt, J. Hoy-Petersen, Jennifer L. Malmberg, Jennifer M. Mullinax, L. Plimpton, Lauren Smith, M.C. VanAcker, J.C. Chandler, W. David Walter, Grete WIlson-Henjum, George Wittemyer, Kezia R. Manlove

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...
Artificial Intelligence in the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

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...
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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...
Stories from the Field

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...
Learn More

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...
Corridor Mapping Team: Ungulate Migrations of the West

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...
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Multimedia

sage grouse and cow
Sage grouse and cow on grazing land
Sage grouse and cow on grazing land
Researchers tag a pronghorn
Researchers tag a pronghorn
Researchers tag a pronghorn
Researchers learning feather identification
Researchers learning feather identification
Researchers learning feather identification
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Chris Pullano and Jenna Ruoss holding recently tagged female pallid sturgeon
Two researchers holding freshwater turtles
Researchers holding freshwater turtles
Researchers holding freshwater turtles
Researcher is holding a freshwater turtle
Researcher is holding a freshwater turtle
Researcher is holding a freshwater turtle
Denil Fishway
Denil fishway
Denil fishway
Westslope cutthroat trout
Westslope cutthroat trout
Westslope cutthroat trout
Westslope cutthroat trout
Westslope cutthroat trout
Westslope cutthroat trout
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