About us
The Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CPCESU) is part of a National CESU Network composed of 17 CESU’s. 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.
CESUs are cooperative networks that transcend political and institutional boundaries. Instead, their boundaries are based primarily on biogeographical considerations. The goal of the CESUs is 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 cooperative agreement is valid for a five-year period, after which a new agreement must be approved. The current CPCESU agreement can be accessed online.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) serves as the host institution for the CPCESU. Within NAU, the administrative home of the CPCESU is in the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences. The responsibilities of the host university include:
- Manage the CESU operation fund
- Provide administrative support for the CESU
- Provide space and basic administrative support for federal agency representative assigned to the Host
- Offer educational opportunities for federal resource/ environmental managers to improve and renew their skills
- Set up a communication system to share information with partners
- Provide a mechanism for resource managers to access the CESU Partners Group and individuals within partner organizations
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.
Key Issues for CPCESU
Although many projects arise based on short-term needs and opportunities, a number of key issues, needs and opportunities have been identified that might help guide the CPCESU’s partners over the longer term, including:
- Ecological and economic sustainability
- Water resources management
- Fire management
- Habitat restoration
- Threatened and endangered plant and animal species management
- Invasive species management
- Climate change effects on natural and cultural resources
- Sustainable energy development
- Tribal natural and cultural resource issues
- Educational and internship opportunities
- Archaeological resource protection and preservation
- Nexus of social sciences and resource management
- Support of the American Disabilities Act
Strategic Plan
With the 2024 renewal of the five-year host-university agreement, Northern Arizona University, is committed to stewarding this critical partnership and eager to facilitate a more efficient and effective partnership, by bringing more experts into the consortium and providing more opportunities for experts and managers to work collaboratively on these important issues.
Strategic Objectives
- Improve communication among all partners
- Strive for excellence and broad engagement in delivery of research, technical assistance, and education products to the federal agency partners
- Increase tribal and minority institution, faculty, and student involvement in projects
- Facilitate opportunities for student research, education, and internships
- Maintain an effective and efficient organization