Welcome to the Fort Collins Science Center

...Developing and disseminating science-based information and tools needed for understanding the Nation’s biological resources in support of effective decision making.

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Fiscal Year 2008 Accomplishments

Driving Directions

National Ecological Observatory Network

FORT scientist lends invasive species forecasting and biodiversity assessment expertise to planning for this nationwide observation system.

Following Sirenia’s Song

DOI award lauds 32-year career of research zoologist Tom O’Shea.

Jonah Infill Data Management System

A new Web application supports decisionmaking related to oil and gas reclamation at the Jonah Natural Gas Field, Wyo.

Bats on the Brink

White-nose syndrome threatens the survival of hibernating cave bats in North America.

Climate Change Science

FORT scientists investigate and forecast probable biological responses and associated impacts of climate variability and change.

Bat Mortality and Wind Power

FORT scientists work to discover why migratory bats die at considerably higher rates than birds and nonmigratory bats at wind turbines.

Smart River GIS

This new modeling tool helps managers understand complex ecological interactions in river systems for improved decisionmaking.

Stalking Snakes

A “rapid responder” and his team work 24/7 to prevent a highly invasive, destructive snake from colonizing other Pacific islands—or the continent.

Finding the Delicate Balance

FORT scientists study how to conserve vulnerable sagebrush systems and wildlife facing increased impacts from land-use change.

Godwits on the Go

Using satellite technology to track migratory shorebirds.

In the News

FORT Scientist to Participate in Congressional Briefing on Western Water and Climate Issues

Photo of a weather station in the Loch Vale wilderness, Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Ecological Society of America has asked USGS-FORT research ecologist Jill Baron to be one of 3 scientists participating in House and Senate staff briefings in July on the topic of western water and climate issues as they pertain to different ecosystems and society. Dr. Baron will be addressing how trade-offs in different water uses influence natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The other two scientists are Diane Pataki (UC-Irvine), a plant physiological ecologist, and Darrell Jenerette (UC-Riverside), who looks at the effects of urban and agricultural land-transformations on water availability for ecosystems. On the House side, the Water and Power Subcommittee (Rep. Grace Napolitano, Chair) is hosting this briefing. On the Senate side, the Environment and Public Works Committee (Sen. Barbara Boxer, Chair) expects to host.

Western Mountain Initiative--Colorado