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What is CATT?
The USFS Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer (CATT) is an aquatic technology transfer program.
CATT biologists and technicians are Southern Research Station (SRS) employees funded by the National Forest System (NFS). Our clients are NFS managers and resource specialists. We collaborate with SRS scientists to develop custom solutions for our clients.
The CATT provides the Forest Service with:
- Advice
- Labor
- Training
- Consulting
- Project Design & Implementation
- Data Analysis & Reporting
The History of CATT
- The CATT was created in 1995 as a response to the growing need for research technologies to be applied directly to management problems
- CATT provides aquatic biologists and land managers with research information and training needed to solve specific problems
- Through onsite visits, CATT biologists gain first hand knowledge of specific conditions allowing them to design custom solutions to problems in order to meet the needs of land managers
- By modifying inventory technology to meet manager's specific needs, survey costs are greatly reduced without sacrificing the statistical reliability required for project-level evaluation and monitoring
- Since inception in May 1995, the CATT has compiled an impressive list of innovative solutions to resource problems with projects on multiple National Forests.
Where does the CATT work?
- Full-time CATT personnel are stationed in Blacksburg, VA. We work primarily on NFS managed lands in the Southern Region. We also provide support to SRS research projects on other Federal, State, and private lands.
What services does the CATT provide?
- Our primary focus is on aquatics related management challenges. Our flexible organizational structure allows us to provide whatever levels and types of services our clients request. Past projects range from providing a field technician for an afternoon of fish sampling, to Region-wide, multi-year efforts, including sampling design, personnel management, data analysis and reporting.