Laboratory Information:
Biological Resources Discipline - Western Regional Office
MS 870
345 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Website: http://biology.usgs.gov/wro/
Agency/Department: Dept. of Interior
Region: Far West
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Ms. Carol Lawson
Phone: 650-329-4030
Fax: 650-329-4026
Email: clawson@usgs.gov
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The Western Regional Office administers
the six Science Centers in the Western Region of the Biological
Resources Discipline (BRD), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of Interior. The office coordinates
science and operational activities among the Western Regional Science Centers and integrates science
activities
with the Eastern and Central Regions. A primary BRD mission is to provide research expertise for other
Department of Interior bureaus. The Western Regional Office plays a key role in coordinating and addressing
priority research needs with its many land management partners and works closely with natural resource
managers throughout the region.
Mission of the Laboratory:
The Biological Resource Division (BRD)
works with others to provide the scientific understanding and
technologies needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources.
The following general principles guide the implementation of our mission and form the basis of our strategic
planning: BRD develops scientific and statistically reliable methods and protocols to assess the status
and
trends of the Nation's biological resources. BRD utilizes tools from the biological, physical, and social
sciences
to understand the causes of biological and ecological trends and to predict the ecological consequences
of
management practices. BRD leads in the development and use of the technologies needed to synthesize,
analyze, and disseminate biological and ecological information. BRD strives for quality, integrity,
and credibility
of its research and technology by constantly improving its scientific programs through internal quality
control,
external peer review, and competitive funding. BRD enters into partnerships with scientific collaborators
to
produce high-quality scientific information and partnerships with the users of scientific information
to ensure
this information's relevance and application to real problems. BRD provides reliable scientific information
to all
American citizens while recognizing a special obligation to serve the biological information needs of
Department of the Interior bureaus. BRD strives for a diverse, safe, healthy, and productive workforce,
and
provides opportunities for the continuing education and professional development of its employees.
