Visit our National Program
Established in 1935, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (CRU) program is a unique partnership among the USGS, State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). As of 2023, there are 43 CRUs in 41 states that fall under three supervisory regions and a National Program Office located at USGS in Reston, Virginia.
About our Program
Established in 1935, our Program is a unique partnership among the USGS, State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As of 2023, there are 43 CRUs in 41 states that fall under three supervisory regions and a National Program Office located at USGS in Reston, Virginia. The mission of the CRU program is to • Conduct research to deliver actionable science to cooperating agencies and organizations • Develop the natural resource conservation workforce of the future through graduate education • Fulfill the training and technical assistance needs of cooperators Federal funds allocated to the CRU program primarily go to staffing of CRU unit scientists and include some operational support.
Our scientists provide insight and guidance to managers facing conservation challenges and often directly inform decision-making at State, regional, and national levels. Our scientists carried out about 800 research projects and provided expertise to decisionmakers through hundreds of technical assistance activities in FY 2023 alone. Science priority themes as determined by cooperators from a subset of the research projects range from population modeling to fish and wildlife disease to Tribal consultation and engagement.
Our Program is actively involved in activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Efforts to improve hiring practices are underway, and the CRU program has made a strong commitment to recruit and train graduate students from diverse backgrounds.
Our Mission
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Established in 1935, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (CRU) program is a unique partnership among the USGS, State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). As of 2023, there are 43 CRUs in 41 states that fall under three supervisory regions and a National Program Office located at USGS in Reston, Virginia.
About our Program
Established in 1935, our Program is a unique partnership among the USGS, State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As of 2023, there are 43 CRUs in 41 states that fall under three supervisory regions and a National Program Office located at USGS in Reston, Virginia. The mission of the CRU program is to • Conduct research to deliver actionable science to cooperating agencies and organizations • Develop the natural resource conservation workforce of the future through graduate education • Fulfill the training and technical assistance needs of cooperators Federal funds allocated to the CRU program primarily go to staffing of CRU unit scientists and include some operational support.
Our scientists provide insight and guidance to managers facing conservation challenges and often directly inform decision-making at State, regional, and national levels. Our scientists carried out about 800 research projects and provided expertise to decisionmakers through hundreds of technical assistance activities in FY 2023 alone. Science priority themes as determined by cooperators from a subset of the research projects range from population modeling to fish and wildlife disease to Tribal consultation and engagement.
Our Program is actively involved in activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Efforts to improve hiring practices are underway, and the CRU program has made a strong commitment to recruit and train graduate students from diverse backgrounds.