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Diana.Elder@nau.eduAbout
Studying the Colorado Plateau in a national context
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
The Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CPCESU) is part of a national Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network composed of 17 CESUs. Each CESU consists of a host institution, federal agency partners, and non-federal partners, which may include universities, colleges, and non-governmental organizations. Some CESUs, including the CPCESU, also include tribal nations as members.
CPCESU boundaries
Boundaries of any given CESU are based not on political or institutional borders, but instead on biogeographical considerations. The goal of a CESU is to create innovative opportunities for research, education, and technical assistance in support of the management and stewardship of natural and cultural resources on federal lands. The work of an individual CESU is done under the provisions of a cooperative and joint venture agreement that is approved by all partners. The agreement is valid for a five-year period, after which a new one must be approved. View our current CPCESU agreement.
Mission statement
The CPCESU creates opportunities for research, education, and technical assistance to support stewardship of natural and cultural resources by federal agencies on the Colorado Plateau. We ensure that the expertise of our academic and non-governmental partners is made available to assist federal resource managers in accomplishing their agency missions.
NAU as a host institution
NAU serves as the host institution for the Colorado Plateau’s CESU, known as CPCESU. Within NAU, the administrative home of the CPCESU is the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences. The responsibilities of a host university include:
- managing the CESU operation fund
- providing administrative support for the CESU
- providing space and basic administrative support for federal agency representative assigned to the host
- offering educational opportunities for federal resource and environmental managers to improve and renew their skills
- setting up a communication system to share information with partners
- providing a mechanism for resource managers to access the CESU Partners Group and individuals within partner organizations
CPCESU news and funding opportunities
Contact us to learn more
The CPCESU contact form connects users with resources and expertise for research, education, and technical assistance to support federal stewardship of the Colorado Plateau’s natural and cultural resources.