Introduction

Major universities share several scientific objectives with federal land management, environmental and research agencies: high-quality science, continuing education, and cost-effective research programs. One approach to achieving these goals is through a network of cooperative units involving federal agencies, universities, and others.

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) were created by the federal government to provide assistance to managers in federal land management, environmental and research agencies. CESUs provide research, technical assistance, and education to resource and environmental managers, while also providing a wealth of opportunity to those in the participating universities. Projects within the scope of CESUs involve the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences.

While CESU is a cooperative program similar to other agreements, there exists no multi-agency, broadly interdisciplinary, and ecosystem-oriented organization providing federal resources, technical assistance, and funding within a vastly streamlined and simplistic environment.

The CESU is not a directory of grants; nor is it a source of funds. It is a cooperative agreement and an important tool for academia.

Currently, there are 17 regional Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units in the national network, 12 federal agencies, and over 200 partners. More than 3,500 projects have been completed or are under way. Total funding that moved through the CESU network now exceeds $100 million.

The University of Florida is a participating member in three CESUs:

1. South Florida/Caribbean CESU
2. Gulf Coast CESU
3. Piedmont – South Atlantic Coast CESU

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