Public land and natural resource managers in the United States are confronted with increasingly complex decisions that have important ramifications for both ecological and human systems. The scientists and technical professionals at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center (FORT)-many of whom are at the very forefront of their fields- constitute a unique blend of ecological, socioeconomic, and technological expertise. Because of this diverse talent, FORT staff are able to apply a systems approach to investigating complicated ecological problems in a way that helps answer critical management questions. In addition, FORT has a long record of working closely with the academic community through cooperative agreements and other collaborations.