Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

About the PNW CESU

The Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (PNW CESU) is part of the national Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Network, a collaborative consortium of federal agencies, universities, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and other partners working together to address natural and cultural resource challenges through research, technical assistance, and education. The PNW CESU is hosted by the University of Washington.

Established in 2000, the PNW CESU supports interdisciplinary collaboration across the Pacific Northwest and beyond by connecting federal resource managers with the scientific expertise of academic and non-federal partners. Through cooperative partnerships, the CESU network helps develop science-based solutions that inform stewardship, conservation, restoration, and management of public lands, waters, and trust resources.

The national CESU Network includes 17 regional CESUs and more than 300 partner institutions across the United States, including universities, tribal organizations, museums, nonprofit conservation groups, and state and local agencies.

Mission

The mission of the CESU Network is to provide research, technical assistance, education, and collaborative opportunities that support informed decision-making and effective natural and cultural resource management. The network works to:

  • Provide usable, objective science to support management decisions
  • Foster partnerships among federal and non-federal institutions
  • Support interdisciplinary research and collaboration
  • Create educational and professional opportunities for students and early-career professionals
  • Promote stewardship of natural and cultural resources
  • Strengthen connections between science and resource management

What the PNW CESU Does

The PNW CESU facilitates collaborative projects involving research, technical assistance, and education. Projects are developed in partnership with participating institutions and federal agencies to address resource management priorities and emerging environmental challenges.

Projects supported through the CESU framework may include:

  • Ecological and wildlife research
  • Climate resilience and adaptation planning
  • Cultural resource and heritage studies
  • Habitat restoration and monitoring
  • GIS and spatial analysis
  • Community engagement and science communication
  • Student training and workforce development
  • Technical assistance for resource managers

CESU projects are administered through cooperative agreements, which emphasize collaboration and substantial involvement between federal and non-federal partners.

Partnership and Collaboration

A defining strength of the CESU Network is its emphasis on long-term collaboration. The PNW CESU connects researchers, students, land managers, and practitioners across institutions to share expertise, resources, and ideas.

Partnership opportunities are open to eligible universities, tribes and tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, museums, state and local agencies, and other non-federal entities whose work aligns with the mission of the CESU Network.

Benefits of the CESU Network

The CESU framework provides a number of advantages for both federal and non-federal partners, including:

  • Access to interdisciplinary scientific expertise
  • Opportunities for collaborative and applied research
  • Student engagement and workforce development
  • Established partnership infrastructure and streamlined agreement processes
  • A reduced indirect cost rate for CESU cooperative agreements
  • Long-term relationship building across agencies and institutions

The CESU model is designed to support collaborative, science-driven solutions to complex environmental and cultural resource issues at local, regional, and national scales.