Research at the Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) supports the natural resource needs of the parks within the National Capital Region (NCR). Due to the diversity of landscapes found in the NCR, resource managers identify science and management issues based on individual park needs.

Research opportunities may include student, volunteer, and interpretive components. Projects are funded through the Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance (UERLA), the Chesapeake Watershed-Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CW-CESU), and the Inventory & Monitoring Program (I&M).

The National Park Service and, specifically, the parks in the National Capital Region, welcome your interest in helping us better understand the resources and systems protected in parks through sound research. To learn more about the basics of research permits in National Park areas, please refer to the Application Procedures and Requirements for Scientific Research and Collecting Permits.

You may apply to any park in the nation using the on-line NPS Research Permit and Reporting System.