The Cooperative Research Units coordinate the technical facilities of states and universities on issues of importance to unit cooperators and client agencies and organizations. Cooperative programs are maintained with universities and State fish and game departments by each of the 40 Cooperative Research Units and represent a wide range of technical facilities devoted to geospatial issues. Units may augment facilities at their host universities for specialized applications and needs. For example, the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit has developed and staffed a GIS and remote sensing facility through research efforts and cooperation with Texas Tech University. Most cooperative units now have access to similar facilities, hardware, and software in partnership with host universities and use GIS and other geospatial technologies regularly in their research programs.
Capabilities vary by unit, depending on the information needs of local unit cooperators.