Northern Arizona University

Objectives of CESU Network

For the reasons above and more, federal land management, environmental, and research agencies, along with the nation's universities, share several science-based goals as they prepare for the 21st century: high-quality science, usable knowledge for resource managers, responsive technical assistance, continuing education, and cost-effective research programs.  This booklet describes one approach to achieving these goals-a network of cooperative units involving federal agencies, universities, and others.

The objectives of this network are to:

• provide resource managers with high-quality scientific research, technical assistance, and education;
• deliver research and technical assistance that is timely, relevant to resource managers, and needed to develop and implement sound adaptive management approaches;
• ensure the independence and objectivity of research;
• create and maintain effective partnerships among federal agencies and universities to share resources and expertise;
• take full advantage of university resources while benefiting faculty and students;
• encourage professional development of federal scientists; and
• manage federal science resources efficiently.

The concept builds upon several existing and successful models of federal government and university collaboration. Hence, it is an evolution of such partnerships, a complement to existing programs, and an innovation in the delivery of scientific services needed by federal resource management and environmental agencies.  

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