Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Nebraska
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The name "Nebraska" is based on an Oto Indian word Nebrathka meaning "flat water," after the Platte River that flows through the state. Nebraska is home to the Sandhills and the Rainwater Basin, abundant fisheries and wildlife resources, and enthusiastic sportspersons. The diversity of landscapes and subsequent diverse fish-and-wildlife resources in Nebraska requires NECFWRU to champion a broad focus for graduate education, applied research, and technical assistance.

The NECFWRU is committed to developing future natural-resource managers and researchers through graduate education, doing innovative and novel research that is interdisciplinary and cross-boundary in support of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and enhancing cooperator capabilities through technical assistance on state-of-the-art science practices. Fishery and wildlife management, landscape ecology, and social and ecological resilience will be emphasized, with intent of complementing and strengthening existing foci of land-grant universities, state and federal natural-resource agencies, and non-government organizations centered on natural resources.

We invite you to explore these pages to learn about the dedication and commitment of the faculty and staff members, students, and cooperators who ensure our program’s outstanding accomplishments.

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Federal Staff

Sonsthagen, Sarah
Assistant Unit Leader
ssonsthagen@usgs.gov

Spurgeon, Jonathan
Unit Leader
jspurgeon@usgs.gov