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How our Program Works/How can we help?

Our mission has three directives: (1) conduct research to deliver actionable science to cooperating agencies and organizations; (2) develop the natural resource conservation workforce of the future through graduate educa­tion; and (3) fulfill the training and technical assistance needs of cooperators. Our staff profiles and selection of science are located at the bottom of this page.

Budget
Fiscal year (FY) 2022 included a budget increase for the fourth year in a row and brought the budget to approximately $26 million (M) (fig. 1). Part of the congressional budget language for this year’s increase was to establish a new unit in Michigan. That directive was fulfilled, with the comple­tion of a Cooperative Agreement establishing a new CRU in the State of Michigan (fig. 2). The new Michigan Unit will be based at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan. Founding partners include Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), MSU, USFWS, USGS, and WMI. Gratitude is extended to Northeast Regional Supervisor Dr. Cyndy Loftin for her leadership in helping to create this unit. Dan Eichinger and his staff at Michigan DNR, Russ Mason (Michigan DNR and MSU), Charlie Wooley and Craig Czar­necki (USFWS), and Bill Moritz (WMI) are to be commended for their engagement and support for the new unit. This latest addition to the CRU family will build on newly established productive relationships to deliver solutions to problems using sound science in Michigan.

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Cooperative Research Units Program FY 2022 Budget
Graph showing budget and staffing data for the U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program during fiscal years 2003-2022. Note that the scale of the left y-axis starts at 75 personnel. 

Staffing
The recent budget increases allowed the CRU to actively fill positions over the past 2 years, with 37 new scientists brought onboard (26 in FY21 and 11 in FY22). However, 27 vacancies remained at the end of the FY22 owing to the loss of 14 scientists (retirements, resignations, death) over the past 2 years, and the addition of 6 new positions at the new units. Hiring actions have been initiated to fill another nine positions, including Unit Leader positions at the new Nevada, Michigan, and Indiana Units.

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woman wearing a hat, yellow and white plaid shirt, yellow sunglasses, taking a selfie with a cell phone,
Brielle K Thompson is a PhD candidate at the University of Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Brielle is a Master's student in the Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management program at the University of Washington. She is co-advised by Dr. Sarah Converse and Dr. Julian Olden. Her graduate research involves applying mathematical, statistical, and geospatial models to better inform invasive species management.

Operational Support
The recent budget increases provided needed operational support to the CRUs, with respect to capital investments for items such as vehicles and safety equipment. This significant financial commitment has been lacking in recent years as a result of an extended period of flat funding during government budget sequestration (2013–18) that resulted in little to no financial support for operational investments. Consequently, operational equipment such as the vehicle fleet continued to age without replacement and the vehicles are now approaching the end of their serviceable life. Under the scenario with 30+ vacancies, the units could be operational with the existing vehicle fleet because demand was down. However, with 37 new scientists recently brought into the program and 27 more yet to come, a significant investment is needed in operational items, such as vehicles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, utility terrain vehicles, along with laboratory and safety equipment to support the active and growing field research programs of potentially 60+ new scientists.

Dara Farrell is a postdoc at the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. One of Dara's projects uses a computer vision model to identify fish in underwater video. Using machine learning to automate fish location and identification in underwater video may advance the application of underwater video across fisheries and aquaculture research and management fields.


Research Priorities

Following the original legislation that created the CRU program (Public Law 86–686), all research priorities are set locally at each unit in consultation with Federal and State cooperators. Unit scientists and unit supervisors work with cooperators to help them identify their needs, and unit supervi­sors ensure that all research conducted is aligned with the USGS mission. Unit scientists, associated faculty, staff and students regularly conduct research projects in coordination with, and to meet the needs of, USGS headquarters, regions, and science centers. See the Notes from the Field section for examples of collaborative work with science centers, States, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other Federal cooperators. Final approval for each project is made by CRU headquarters management (Chief or Deputy Chief) to ensure that projects meet the USGS mission and the Department of Interior (DOI) priorities.

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Bright tufted puffin birds nesting on rocks on the Oregon Coast.
Tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats. Tufted puffin populations on the Oregon Coast have declined dramatically over the past 30 years from over 5,000 birds in 1989 to only 550 birds in 2021. 

Project Controls

Research Work Orders (RWOs) are the mechanism through which host universities receive Federal financial support to conduct research, as provided for in the 1978 amendment to Public Law 86–686. RWOs are an extension of the Cooperative Agreement establishing each unit. Funds from the USGS, other DOI bureaus, or other Federal agencies are obligated via financial assistance into a RWO and awarded to the host university for a specific research project.

The Deputy Chief ensures that the project meets the require­ments for a RWO, including the following (1) the project must be novel research; (2) the project must be consistent with the mission of the USGS and DOI priorities; (3) the project must have an educational component; (4) the budget is complete and appropri­ate; and (5) no apparent conflicts of interest exist.

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mallard duck with yellow bill, green head, and grey black feathers, on water

Regional Engagement and Coordination

CRU headquarters staff and leadership work closely with key regional partners, including USGS Center Directors, USGS Regional Directors, USGS Ecosystems Mission Area leadership, as well as leadership from other agencies, such as the USFWS. The Chief of the CRU program works closely with USGS Center Directors and USGS Regional Directors on topics of mutual inter­est. For example, the development of an interagency pollinator science laboratory that engages regional staff, center scientists, and external partners (such as, USFWS, U.S. Department of Agri­culture [USDA], the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, National Park Service [NPS], and the Smithsonian Institution) in research to inform pollinator conservation activities at State and Federal agencies.

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Image: Transporting a Captured Mule Deer

Leveraging Resources and Creating Jobs

Through their research programs, CRU scientists create jobs at the host university. Each CRU scientist supports graduate students, postdoctoral, and research technicians, which col­lectively amounts to approximately 1,000 university positions supported per year. The number of degrees awarded and active students, postdoctoral researchers, and university research staff during FY22 in the CRU program are shown in the infographic below. The CRU program also leverages the contributions of each cooperator, such that Federal salary dollars are matched on a 1:3 basis by State and host university contributions and grant funds. In FY22, the CRU budget of $26M brought in approximately $40M in reimbursable research funds to the host universities, who provided more than $20M through in-kind support (such as, office space or use of university equipment), tuition, and reduced overhead.

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Image: Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Pollinator Research
A Ph.D. student setting up a trap to capture bees.

Staff Profiles

Filter Total Items: 142

Brent Sigafus

Science

Filter Total Items: 48

The statistical power to detect regional temporal trends in riverine contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Issue: Chemical contamination of riverine ecosystems is a global concern, with potentially negative effects for human and ecological health. Land management activities (e.g., Best Management Practices; BMPs) are an important tool that can be used to reduce point and non-point sources of pollution. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) has goals for (1) reducing toxic contaminants and (2) reducing...
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The statistical power to detect regional temporal trends in riverine contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Issue: Chemical contamination of riverine ecosystems is a global concern, with potentially negative effects for human and ecological health. Land management activities (e.g., Best Management Practices; BMPs) are an important tool that can be used to reduce point and non-point sources of pollution. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) has goals for (1) reducing toxic contaminants and (2) reducing...
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Decline of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska

In conjunction with the Cook Inlet PhotoID Project and federal agencies, the USGS Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is aiming to learn more about the fundamental factors that drive changes in beluga whale population dynamics, specifically what affects the rates at which individuals survive and reproduce. Understanding this piece of the puzzle is critical to future conservation...
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Decline of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska

In conjunction with the Cook Inlet PhotoID Project and federal agencies, the USGS Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is aiming to learn more about the fundamental factors that drive changes in beluga whale population dynamics, specifically what affects the rates at which individuals survive and reproduce. Understanding this piece of the puzzle is critical to future conservation...
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New Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Established in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) recently signed a cooperative agreement to establish a new Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at UNR.
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New Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Established in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) recently signed a cooperative agreement to establish a new Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at UNR.
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The Role of Drought in Aquatic Systems

Drought is a natural disturbance of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in many regions worldwide and can be a major factor that impacts aquatic communities. Drought frequency and intensity are expected to increase due to climate change and can also be exacerbated by water withdrawals and other human impacts, such as agricultural and industrial uses.
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The Role of Drought in Aquatic Systems

Drought is a natural disturbance of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in many regions worldwide and can be a major factor that impacts aquatic communities. Drought frequency and intensity are expected to increase due to climate change and can also be exacerbated by water withdrawals and other human impacts, such as agricultural and industrial uses.
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Native Trout Threatened by Climate Change and Invasive Species

The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is a cultural icon in Colorado and New Mexico, but its populations are threatened. After one hundred years of human population growth, climate change, and species invasions, the fish now occupies only 12% of its historic range.
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Native Trout Threatened by Climate Change and Invasive Species

The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is a cultural icon in Colorado and New Mexico, but its populations are threatened. After one hundred years of human population growth, climate change, and species invasions, the fish now occupies only 12% of its historic range.
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Actionable Science may Inform Climate Decisions about Coquí Frogs in Puerto Rico

Temperature and precipitation changes from climate change, along with habitat fragmentation and other effects of land use change threaten the long-term persistence of coquí frogs in Puerto Rico. The USGS North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (NC CRU) and Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) have supported research that models successful problem framing.
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Actionable Science may Inform Climate Decisions about Coquí Frogs in Puerto Rico

Temperature and precipitation changes from climate change, along with habitat fragmentation and other effects of land use change threaten the long-term persistence of coquí frogs in Puerto Rico. The USGS North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (NC CRU) and Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) have supported research that models successful problem framing.
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Translocating Florida scrub-jays to bolster the threatened species’ population

The Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Florida CRU), a program in the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey, is collaborating with state and federal agencies to assess the success of translocating Florida scrub-jays to bolster the threatened species’ population.
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Translocating Florida scrub-jays to bolster the threatened species’ population

The Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Florida CRU), a program in the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey, is collaborating with state and federal agencies to assess the success of translocating Florida scrub-jays to bolster the threatened species’ population.
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Unique Study of Isolated Bobcat Population Confirms Accuracy of Extinction Model

The reintroduction of 32 bobcats to an island off the coast of Georgia more than three decades ago created an ideal experiment to examine the accuracy of a genetic-modeling technique that predicts extinction of isolated wildlife populations. That’s the conclusion of Penn State researchers who continue to monitor the bobcat population on Cumberland Island National Seashore, and who conducted a...
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Unique Study of Isolated Bobcat Population Confirms Accuracy of Extinction Model

The reintroduction of 32 bobcats to an island off the coast of Georgia more than three decades ago created an ideal experiment to examine the accuracy of a genetic-modeling technique that predicts extinction of isolated wildlife populations. That’s the conclusion of Penn State researchers who continue to monitor the bobcat population on Cumberland Island National Seashore, and who conducted a...
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Stream Health Correlated with Human Well-being and Demographics in Virginia

Relationships between human well-being (HWB) and ecosystem health (EH) are best understood via approaches coupling natural and social sciences. The Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is leading an interdisciplinary team of scientists from Virginia Tech to explore HWB-EH relationships and design studies to identify mechanisms driving those relationships.
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Stream Health Correlated with Human Well-being and Demographics in Virginia

Relationships between human well-being (HWB) and ecosystem health (EH) are best understood via approaches coupling natural and social sciences. The Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is leading an interdisciplinary team of scientists from Virginia Tech to explore HWB-EH relationships and design studies to identify mechanisms driving those relationships.
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Islands to Interfaces: Integrating Field Biology with Computer Science to Address Wildlife Survey Challenges

The USGS Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is collaborating with faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in wildlife ecology, remote sensing, and computer science at the University of Maine to investigate the efficacy of using a variety of data collection approaches to survey colonial nesting birds in Maine.
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Islands to Interfaces: Integrating Field Biology with Computer Science to Address Wildlife Survey Challenges

The USGS Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is collaborating with faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in wildlife ecology, remote sensing, and computer science at the University of Maine to investigate the efficacy of using a variety of data collection approaches to survey colonial nesting birds in Maine.
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Culturally Important Fishponds in Hawaii

Researchers at the Hawai’i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (HCFRU), working in collaboration with the Hawai’i Division of Aquatic Resources, Kamehameha Schools, and the Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation, investigated how the species composition of fish assemblages in actively managed and inactive fishponds differed from those of a natural estuary.
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Culturally Important Fishponds in Hawaii

Researchers at the Hawai’i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (HCFRU), working in collaboration with the Hawai’i Division of Aquatic Resources, Kamehameha Schools, and the Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation, investigated how the species composition of fish assemblages in actively managed and inactive fishponds differed from those of a natural estuary.
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Improving Insights for Recreational Fishery at the Mouth of the Columbia River

The USGS Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (ORCFWRU) at Oregon State University (OSU) is partnering with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to evaluate alternative management actions for a high-value, mixed-stock recreational fishery on fall-run Chinook salmon at the mouth of the Columbia River. Image: USGS Oregon Water Science Center research vessel.
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Improving Insights for Recreational Fishery at the Mouth of the Columbia River

The USGS Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (ORCFWRU) at Oregon State University (OSU) is partnering with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to evaluate alternative management actions for a high-value, mixed-stock recreational fishery on fall-run Chinook salmon at the mouth of the Columbia River. Image: USGS Oregon Water Science Center research vessel.
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Beavers in the Desert? The Potential for Translocated Beavers to Serve as Restoration Tools in Desert Rivers

The USGS Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Utah State University (USU) is evaluating the efficacy of beaver translocation for desert river restoration by comparing the fates, space use, and dam building activity of naturally occurring and translocated beavers in the Price and San Rafael Rivers in eastern Utah.
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Beavers in the Desert? The Potential for Translocated Beavers to Serve as Restoration Tools in Desert Rivers

The USGS Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Utah State University (USU) is evaluating the efficacy of beaver translocation for desert river restoration by comparing the fates, space use, and dam building activity of naturally occurring and translocated beavers in the Price and San Rafael Rivers in eastern Utah.
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Incorporating “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” into Natural Resource Research, Management, and Conservation

Kansas is the home to a diverse aquatic community. However, many fish have been designated as species in need of conservation because of land use change, water alterations, and other human impacts. The Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Kansas Unit) at Kansas State University is leading research on "big hairy audacious goals" - tools that create visions of realistic future.
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Incorporating “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” into Natural Resource Research, Management, and Conservation

Kansas is the home to a diverse aquatic community. However, many fish have been designated as species in need of conservation because of land use change, water alterations, and other human impacts. The Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Kansas Unit) at Kansas State University is leading research on "big hairy audacious goals" - tools that create visions of realistic future.
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Managing Young Forest Wildlife Habitats in Rights-of-Way Landscapes

The West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is developing management strategies that may help to increase young forest habitat availability and conserve priority young forest species in the central Appalachian region.
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Managing Young Forest Wildlife Habitats in Rights-of-Way Landscapes

The West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is developing management strategies that may help to increase young forest habitat availability and conserve priority young forest species in the central Appalachian region.
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Collaborating for Conservation: Coming Together to Conserve the Topeka Shiner

he U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Unit) is leading research on Topeka shiner, a species listed in 1998 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to loss of critical habitat and subsequent population declines. The focus of this research is on population size and geographic distribution, and Topeka shiner food and habitat requirements.
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Collaborating for Conservation: Coming Together to Conserve the Topeka Shiner

he U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Unit) is leading research on Topeka shiner, a species listed in 1998 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to loss of critical habitat and subsequent population declines. The focus of this research is on population size and geographic distribution, and Topeka shiner food and habitat requirements.
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Fish and Climate Change Database (FiCli) Provides Freshwater Fisheries Managers With an Important Climate Adaptation Tool

Inland fishes are important to communities worldwide and provide many ecosystem services, such as recreational opportunities, subsistence fishing, and commercial income. To support climate adaptation for fisheries management across the globe, the USGS Alaska, Missouri, and North Carolina Cooperative Research Units are developing an interactive database, FiCli (pronounced “fick-lee”).
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Fish and Climate Change Database (FiCli) Provides Freshwater Fisheries Managers With an Important Climate Adaptation Tool

Inland fishes are important to communities worldwide and provide many ecosystem services, such as recreational opportunities, subsistence fishing, and commercial income. To support climate adaptation for fisheries management across the globe, the USGS Alaska, Missouri, and North Carolina Cooperative Research Units are developing an interactive database, FiCli (pronounced “fick-lee”).
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Engaging Hunters in Selecting Duck Season Dates Using Decision Science

The USGS New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) have been working together on a decision making process for setting duck season dates in New York.
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Engaging Hunters in Selecting Duck Season Dates Using Decision Science

The USGS New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) have been working together on a decision making process for setting duck season dates in New York.
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Citizen Science Helps to Inform Ornamental Fishery Decisions in Hawaii

The commercial collection of marine ornamental fishes from coral reefs for the aquarium trade is one of the most controversial fisheries in Hawai'i. Most of the controversy relates to whether the fishery is being managed sustainably. The Hawai'i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit is assessing the impact of the marine ornamental fishery on Hawaiian reefs by using citizen-diver data.
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Citizen Science Helps to Inform Ornamental Fishery Decisions in Hawaii

The commercial collection of marine ornamental fishes from coral reefs for the aquarium trade is one of the most controversial fisheries in Hawai'i. Most of the controversy relates to whether the fishery is being managed sustainably. The Hawai'i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit is assessing the impact of the marine ornamental fishery on Hawaiian reefs by using citizen-diver data.
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New Habitat Suitability Maps for At-Risk Herpetofauna Species in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

Five at-risk species of herpetofauna – the gopher tortoise, gopher frog, striped newt, southern hognose snake, and Florida pine snake – have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are the subjects of conservation planning efforts of federal, state, and other partners in the Southeast.
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New Habitat Suitability Maps for At-Risk Herpetofauna Species in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

Five at-risk species of herpetofauna – the gopher tortoise, gopher frog, striped newt, southern hognose snake, and Florida pine snake – have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are the subjects of conservation planning efforts of federal, state, and other partners in the Southeast.
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2019 CRU Year in Review Story Map

Established in 1935, the Cooperative Research Units Program is a partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey, Universities, State fish and wildlife agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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2019 CRU Year in Review Story Map

Established in 1935, the Cooperative Research Units Program is a partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey, Universities, State fish and wildlife agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Learn More
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