South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

The Cooperative Unit Program is a partnership in research, training, and extension. Partners are the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, state game and fish agencies, universities, and the Wildlife Management Institute. The program was originated in 1932 and in 1960 Congress gave it statutory recognition by enactment of Public Law 86-686. Most of the 40 Units have a staff of three research biologists and a number of graduate students and technicians. South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks are the local contributors in the South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Since its formation in 1962, approximately 225 SDSU graduate students also have been "Unit" students. In 1994 the Unit moved to new office and laboratory space in the $12 million Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory.