Co-Leaders Corner
We are pleased to welcome you to the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (PNW CESU)!
Together, Co-Leads Dan and Ben are committed to ensuring the PNW CESU continues to advance science and support robust ecosystem studies throughout the Pacific Northwest by fostering collaboration between funders, researchers, and land managers. Even in the face of challenges and a shifting climate for science and funding, our network remains strong—continuing to generate knowledge that informs resource stewardship and strengthens the connection between science and decision-making.
We’d also like to share some staffing updates. In July 2025, we bid farewell to Ali Ainsworth, who served as PNW CESU Co-Lead and National Park Service (NPS) Science Advisor for many years. Ali’s leadership and vision were instrumental in strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities for collaborative research. She has accepted a new role as Superintendent of Pinnacles National Park, and while we will miss her contributions to the PNW CESU, we are thrilled to see her step into this exciting position.
At the same time, we’re delighted to welcome Ben Becker as the new NPS Science Advisor and PNW CESU Co-Lead. Ben brings deep expertise and a strong track record of building partnerships across agencies and institutions. He will also take over Ali’s role on the UW Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) Advisory Committee, continuing the strong ties between our programs.
Despite a shifting landscape for funding and program support, the 2024 fiscal year was remarkably productive for the PNW CESU. Our partners were awarded $14.6 million in federal funds, bringing the total number of projects supported since 2001 to 1,280—a milestone that reflects the continued value and relevance of our collaborative model.
In other news, the University of Washington successfully applied for and was approved to continue serving as host of the PNW CESU for its sixth five-year term (2025–2030). We also welcomed the U.S. Forest Service, National Forest System and Earth Economics as new partners to the PNW CESU. Their addition broadens the expertise and perspectives within our network, creating new opportunities for innovative, cross-boundary research.
We are immensely grateful to our members for their dedication, resilience, and outstanding contributions. The projects undertaken through the CESU network not only expand our understanding of ecosystems and cultural resources but also help managers and communities address urgent challenges—from wildfire and climate change to cultural resource preservation and habitat restoration. Together, we are advancing science, building solutions, and preparing for a more sustainable future.
Here’s to continued success and the discoveries yet to come!
Sincerely,
The PNW CESU Team
