About The Coop

The tradition of wise management of natural resources in the United States is a source of pride for Americans who are concerned about the future of our fish and wildlife. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit program supports this tradition by providing the Nation with applied research and a continuing source of well trained professional managers. Through a creative partnership of Federal and State governments, universities, and the private sector, a unique avenue exists for conducting research that addresses complex environmental issues across virtually every North American ecological community.

Program Direction
The Cooperative Research Unit works toward three goals:

• Conducting research on fish and wildlife problems of state, regional, and national interest
• Training graduate students for careers in the fish and wildlife professions
• Providing technical assistance to state and federal managers and researchers

The Unit emphasizes research to:

• Help find solutions to problems affecting anadromous fish passage in the Snake River basin
• Evaluate methods of establishing new animal populations or augment existing populations
• Improve estimators of animal abundance
• Evaluate effectiveness of existing reserve and management areas in the Pacific Northwest
• Study the basic biology of aquatic and terrestrial animals
• Evaluate effectiveness of efforts to recover populations of endangered species
• Evaluate factors that regulate carrying capacity in fresh water and terrestrial habitats

Unit Research, Expertise, and Interests
Unit personnel maintain close working and professional relationships with University faculty, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel. Research studies are conducted primarily within Idaho, although some work is done in adjoining states, as well as Hawaii, Alaska, Federated States of Micronesia, Costa Rica, and several European countries. Unit research is supported by State contributions and by contracts from the USGS/Biological Resources Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, Bonneville Power Administration, Northwest Power Planning Council, and other federal, state, and private agencies. In addition to research activities, Unit personnel teach graduate-level courses, serve as advisors for graduate students, and participate in a variety of professional activities.

Unit History
The Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit Program began in 1935, when five Wildlife Units were established at land grant universities. Additional Units have been added since that time. In 1961 the Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Program was initiated. Beginning in 1984, Wildlife and Fishery Units were combined into Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units. At the present time, there are 41 Cooperative Research Units. In 1994 the Cooperative Research Units were moved into the National Biological Service under the Division of Cooperative Research. In 1996 the National Biological Service and Cooperative Research Units were moved into the United States Geological Survey under the Biological Resources Division.

The Idaho Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit was established at the University of Idaho on September 20, 1947, and the Idaho Cooperative Fishery Research Unit was established in 1963. The two Units were combined into the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in 1985. The Unit is housed in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in the College of Natural Resources. The Unit is staffed, supported, and coordinated by the USGS/Biological Resources Division, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, University of Idaho, Wildlife Management Institute and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.

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