Projects

Our projects are grouped by five themes that encompass the project's mission and application: science informing management, nimble action to address emerging issues, species conservation, cultural and historical connections, and monitoring ecosystems in a changing world. Our StoryMap showcases select current and ongoing projects of the CA-CESU. We invite you to explore our StoryMap to learn about current select projects. For in depth descriptions of more projects, explore the links under each theme below.

How do discoveries impact the policies and management decisions made by the CA-CESU and other agencies? Science-informed decision-making is a core value of the CESU. Research is an important tool for informing management decisions, such as developing strategies on how ecosystems and organisms can adapt to climate change. Click the link below to learn more about our science informing management projects.

How is the CA-CESU taking action to respond to issues that affect our natural resources today? The natural environment and cultural/historic resources allow people to feel connected to nature and understand the past. Addressing emerging issues and protecting our natural resources is salient to practice being better stewards of the land, water, history, and culture. Click the link below to learn more about projects taking nimble action.

How does the CA-CESU protect plant and animal species as they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic climate change and environmental disruptions? Conserving wildlife ensures that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that we live with. It is important to protect the survival of these species, especially those that are on the verge of extinction. Through species conservation research, the CA-CESU aims to develop strategies that improve the ability of vulnerable species to persist in the future. Click the link below to learn more about species conservation projects.

How does the CA-CESU use science to acknowledge, promote, and support traditional practices and our nation’s heritage? Integrative conservation efforts that incorporate both scientific and cultural/historic viewpoints can inspire a more holistic approach to conserving natural and culturally significant resources. Incorporating these practices into our science efforts showcases how scientific knowledge can be coupled with the value of culture to steward natural ecosystems and cultural resources. Click the link below to learn more about projects that are creating cultural and historical connections.

How does the CA-CESU assess and encourage health at organismal to ecosystem scales? Ecosystems are easily stressed by human activities, climate change, sediment, nutrients, and pollutants. Ecosystem monitoring is critical to ecosystem health and answers important questions about the effectiveness of programs to maintain ecosystem health. By monitoring ecosystems, we as stewards can better understand the health of the organisms, facilitating conversations of ways in which we can best support them.  Click the link below to learn more about projects that are monitoring ecosystems in a changing world.