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USC Joins Federal Environmental Research Partnership

The University of South Carolina has joined the national network of Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU), an important partnership focused on connecting federal agencies including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service with universities engaged in environmental research. Through the 17 regional CESUs, participating agencies can award contracts to the participating universities for mutually agreed-upon research projects on a no-bid, non-competitive basis.

Professor of Geography William L. Graf, CESU technical representative for USC, said,

“The importance of our membership in the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU is two fold. First, it facilitates environmental research by USC investigators by providing a streamlined conduit for funded research with federal agencies that are ready to partner. Second, with special access to those agencies, USC gains added visibility for its research in environmental matters at the federal level.”

Harris Pastides, USC vice president of Research and Health Sciences, provided administrative support and formal approval for USC’s effort to join the CESU. Martha Bogle, superintendent of Congaree National Park, assisted in the process, and Dr. Graf negotiated the agreement on behalf of the university.

In addition to USC, other institutions in the Piedmont-South Atlantic CESU include Clemson University, Auburn University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Florida. Three state Audubon organizations also participate. For further details on CESUs, visit www.cesu.org.