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The Cooperative Unit Program Revisited: How Can We Maximize Our Research Collaborations in a Tight Fiscal Climate

The Cooperative Unit Program Revisited: How Can We Maximize Our Research Collaborations in a Tight Fiscal Climate. Phaedra Budy US Geological Society – UCFWRU Utah State University. H istory.

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The Cooperative Unit Program Revisited: How Can We Maximize Our Research Collaborations in a Tight Fiscal Climate

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  1. The Cooperative Unit Program Revisited: How Can WeMaximize Our Research Collaborations in a Tight FiscalClimate Phaedra Budy US Geological Society – UCFWRU Utah State University

  2. History • The Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program - conceived and initiated in Iowa in 1930’s • J. N. "Ding" Darling, Commissioner of the Iowa Fish and Game Commission • Federal B. of Biological Survey • Breadth of ecosystems, 9 states • Cooperative Units Act passed by Congress in 1960: • Authorized the unit program as a separate budget item within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • New units, new fishery emphasis • 1990’s, moved into US Geological Survey

  3. Coop Units: 40 Coop units in 38 States Usually 3 scientists per unit

  4. The USGS Cooperative Research Unit:solutions to complex natural resource problems Education, research and extension Accessible to all USFS USFWS BoR BLM Partners USFWS Wildlife Management Institute

  5. Cooperative Agreement

  6. Cooperative Agreement Academic Service – Committees etc. Equipment… Training Interacting with graduate students Co-authoring peer-reviewed papers etc. Research Project Real management implications Interact with regional biologists, etc.

  7. Research Work Order: Federal to Coop

  8. Research Work Order: Federal to Coop $100,000 University = $45,000 RWO = only $21,000 So what? No competitive bid Relatively small amount of paperwork Save ~25% overhead 5 –year blocks, simple modifications as funds are available CESU is similar

  9. How do UDWR (other) projects get selected and funded (3) ? 1) Federal Sport Fisheries Aid $ • Region supplies ideas • Region and SLC Office Prioritize • Standardize prioritization process • Statewide importance • Regional importance • Previous commitment/investment • Etc. • Special Projects Coordinator Considers • Time/Budget (currently Craig Walker) • Project is awarded • Currently trying the state FY • Usually a 2.5 year contract • MS graduate student • Exceptions • 2-3 at any given time

  10. (2) Brew your own:UDWR “Internal” Graduate Training Program • UDWR (or other) pays a portion of salary (%50-100) • USU does not pay stipend • UDWR supplies a research project • Internally funded, or • Process a small grant at University • Student gets reimbursed after passing classes successfully • Student agrees to stay in employment at UDWR for some time after completing a degree • UDWR gets better trained employees, they know want to stay, and have already invested in (also more promotable) • Regional Supervisor

  11. 3) “Other” funded research project, usually in collaboration with UDWR • USU, often UDWR, and Other identify NEED • USU writes a proposal • Other funds/sources • UDWR supports, in-kind or $ USU drafts a proposal for BoR ATAJ program UDWR Or regional workgroup supports Project Implementation USU solicits Applications for competitive fellowship candidates Need

  12. Partnerships are now more important than ever E.g., Studying biotic resistance and brown trout removalon Righthand Fork… Spawn Creek Cattle Exclosure and Experiment

  13. Share the pie:Need ~~$150,000 All less than $35K

  14. Spread the love

  15. Spread the love nearly free

  16. USGS supported ~competitive research • Science Support Partnership – USFWS & USGS • ~$300,000 pre region • Region 6 ? • Quick Response - USFWS and USGS • $50,000/ yr. per region • USGS Mendenhall Post Doctoral fellows • http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/ • Anticipate addition of ~16 Fellows/ yr. • Wide range of research topics spanning USGS science • initiatives • 2-year federal appointments • Recent PhD graduate completely focused on a question

  17. Coop: facilitate interactions with other faculty • Joe Wheaton – Geomorphologist with interests in fish habitat and stream restoration • Patrick Belmont – Hydrologic science and landscape evolution • Karin Kettering – Wetland ecologist with interests in aquatic botany and restoration • Sarah Null – Water resource management and temperature modeling, systems modeler

  18. USU Expresso Classes Geomorphic Change Detection - Restoration Monitoring Workshop - May 7-9, 2012 in Logan, UT, 1 credit (Summer) River Bathymetry Toolkit - Restoration Monitoring Workshop - May 14-16, 2012 in Logan, UT, 1 credit (Summer) Sediment Transport in Stream Assessment and Design - August 6-10, 2012 in Logan, UT, 2 credits (Summer) Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design Workshop - Mid to Late October, 2012 (Exact date TBD) in Logan, UT, 1 credit (Fall) Visit https://www.cnr.usu.edu/streamrestoration/ for more information. Contact:Joe Wheaton

  19. Thanks

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