Northern Arizona University

Basic Strategy

A network of cooperative research units is being established to provide research, technical assistance, and education to resource and environmental managers.  These units are named Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs), to signify their broad role as providers of research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies, and their potential partners. Cooperative emphasizes that multiple federal agencies and universities are among the partners in this program. Ecosystem studies involve the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context. Resources encompass natural and cultural resources.

Each CESU is structured as a working collaboration among federal agencies and universities. CESUs are based at universities and focused on a biogeographic region of the country. Universities provide space, basic administrative support (secretarial, accounting, equipment), and access to university faculty, students, staff, and resources.

Federal agencies contribute research scientists and/or other professionals located and working at CESUs under formal agreements between their respective bureaus and universities. Federal personnel are supervised and supported by their respective agencies, through existing administrative systems. Participating agencies provide scientific staff, administrative support funds (for assistance beyond the basic support provided by the universities), and project funds for specific research projects and technical assistance. Federal agency participation in a CESU does not alter previous arrangements or cooperative agreements. CESUs will create additional opportunities for interdisciplinary and multi-agency research, technical assistance, and education.

CESUs function as "virtual" organizations, linking several institutions to increase access to expertise and facilities. Individual CESUs are administered and managed at the field/regional level. The overall CESU Network is coordinated and provided support by the CESU Coordinating Council. The council includes representatives of participating federal agencies operating under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the CESU Network. The council will:

• prepare guidelines for participating in the CESU Network;
• assist individual CESUs in developing agreements and subsequent modifications;
• maintain networks for communication and data sharing among CESUs;
• pursue additional funding sources for the CESU Network;
• develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the growth and development of the CESU Network; and
• produce annual reports summarizing CESU Network activities.

Each CESU undergoes an independent peer review after five years. The CPCESU was reviewed in 2004 and was renewed for 5 additional years.

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