Chesapeake Watershed CESU/About Us

		The Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CW CESU) is a partnership among 12 university/research and 6 federal agency partners whose members strive to understand and protect the natural and cultural resources of the region. The CW CESU was established in August 2001 through a Cooperative Agreement among its partners. Since that time, the Agreement has been amended five times to reflect changes in the participating partners. In August 2006, the original Cooperative Agreement was renewed for another 5 years. Contact the CW CESU Host Office for details.
		Federal Agency Partners U.S. Geological Survey Department of Defense National Park Service Bureau of Land Management U.S.D.A. Forest Service U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service	Reasearch/University Partners University System of Maryland (host) UM Center for Environmental Science UM, College Park UM, Baltimore County Frostburg State University George Mason University Pennsylvania State University University of the District of Columbia The College of William and Mary National Aquarium in Baltimore American Bird Conservancy James Madison University Delaware State University
		The Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CW CESU) is part of a national CESU network. The primary objective of the national network is to foster stewardship of the environment through collaborative research, technical assistance, and education that support integrated ecosystem management of cultural, natural and social resources.


		The host institution for the CW CESU is the University System of Maryland represented by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The CW CESU office is headquartered at the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.


		Director Dr. Robert Gardner (301) 689-7125 Gardner@al.umces.edu NPS Research Coordinator Dr. Walter Zachritz (301) 689-7108 walter_zachritz@nps.gov	Primary Contact Paulette Orndorff (301) 689-7102 cwcesu@al.umces.edu Mailing Address: Appalachian Laboratory 301 Braddock Road Frostburg, MD 21532 Fax: (301) 689-7200	Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

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		The CW CESU is guided by an Executive Committee. This committee is comprised of a Technical Representative from each partner agency and institution. Contact information for the Technical Representatives is found in the Partners page of this website. The CW CESU partnership is guided by a mission statement and strategic plan. Complete versions of these documents follow. Copies can be obtained in the Downloads section of this website.


		The CW CESU fosters stewardship of the watershed through collaborative research, technical assistance, and education that support integrated ecosystem management. Emphasizing interdisciplinary and multi-scale approaches, the CW CESU addresses the complex and interrelated biological, physical, cultural, and social resources and issues within this urbanizing landscape. The CW CESU provides national and international leadership in watershed science and stewardship.

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Copyright �2002 Chesapeake Watershed CESU. All rights reserved.