As it continues to grow its emphasis on research activity and collaborations with other institutions, Marymount University has now joined the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CWHA CESU). Established in 2001, the consortium includes 69 universities and research institutions across the greater Mid-Atlantic region in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee.
Members work with over 12 federal agencies, such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense and NASA, to address the complex and interrelated biological, physical, cultural and social resources and issues within the region’s urbanizing landscape.
“As a member of this consortium, Marymount will have access to a wide range of collaborators and opportunities for projects that focus on the changing Mid-Atlantic environment and research that informs environmental and cultural management decisions that impact us all,” said Dr. Rita Wong, Associate Vice President for Research at Marymount University. “We’re excited to actively participate in the research endeavors of this consortium.”
Headquartered at the University of Maryland Center for Appalachian Science in Frostburg, Md., CWHA CESU provides research, technical assistance and education to federal land management, environment and research agencies and their partners. Research institutions in the consortium provide leadership in watershed science and stewardship with special emphasis on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which is home to more than 3,600 species and over 15 million people – all competing for resources and space within a 64,000 square mile region.
“Unique institutions like Marymount University demonstrate the value of the CWHA CESU – their faculty, students and programs will serve as invaluable resources to our network, and help our federal agencies meet their respective missions and serve the American public,” added Dr. Dan Filer, NPS Research Coordinator with the CWHA CESU. “We are looking forward to working with them going forward.”
CWHA CESU is one of 17 cooperative ecosystems units across the U.S. To learn more, click here.
