Laboratory Information:
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
777 NW 9th St., Suite 400
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone: 541-750-1030
Fax: 541-750-1069
Website: http://fresc.usgs.gov/
Agency/Department: Dept. of Interior
Region: Far West
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Ms. Ruth Jacobs
Phone: 541-750-1047
Fax: 541-750-1069
Email: ruth_jacobs@usgs.gov
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem
Science Center (FRESC), as an organizational unit of the Federal
Government is fairly young, but the various groups that merged to form FRESC have lengthy histories,
some
dating back 30 years. The mergers and FRESC's eventual incorporation into the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS)
were part of a series of reorganizations to the research capability of the Department of Interior. These
changes
were prompted in February 1993 when Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt requested advice from the
National Research Council about the research capability of the Department. The council responded by
studying
the issue and enumerating the findings in a document called "A Biological Survey for the Nation."
In response
to these findings, the National Biological Survey (NBS) became operational on November 11, 1993. This
initiated two years of additional, rapid change in the Department's research structure and function.
Mission of the Laboratory:
FRESC provides scientific understanding
and the technology needed to support sound management and
conservation of our nation's natural resources, with emphasis on western ecosystems. The USGS Forest
and
Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) maintains and enhances its leadership role in developing
innovative approaches to highly integrated research through close working relationships with universities,
other
research institutions, and other federal and state agencies throughout the western United States. In
some
cases these relationships involve co-location of staff, courtesy faculty appoints for FRESC scientists,
service by
FRESC scientists on graduate student committees, and shared research facilities. This strategy of fostering
alliances and agreements among cooperators is strengthened by the production of high-quality science
products and timely dissemination of results. Significant investments are made not only in production
of
scientific publications, but also in information and technology transfer to managers, policy-makers,
educators,
and the general public.
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Invasive Species
- Biological Informatics
- Contaminant Biology
- Cooperative Research Units
- Fisheries & Aquatic Resources
- Status and Trends of the Biological Resources
- Terrestrial, Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems
- Wildlife: Terrestrial and Endangered Resources
