MISSION of the National Biological Service


The National Biological Service works with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources.

The following general principles guide the implementation of our mission and form the basis of our strategic planning.

NBS develops scientific and statistically reliable methods and protocols to assess the status and trends of the Nation's biological resources;

NBS utilizes tools from the biological, physical, and social sciences to understand the causes of biological and ecological trends and to predict the ecological consequences of management practices;

NBS leads in the development and use of the technologies needed to synthesize, analyze, and disseminate biological and ecological information;

NBS strives for quality, integrity, and credibility of its research and technology by constantly improving its scientific programs through internal quality control, external peer review, and competitive funding;

NBS enters into partnerships with scientific collaborators to produce quality scientific information and partnerships with the users of scientific information to ensure its relevance and application to real problems;

NBS provides reliable scientific information to all American citizens while recognizing a special obligation to serve the biological information needs of other Department of the Interior bureaus;

NBS strives for a diverse, healthy, and productive workforce, and provides opportunities for the continuing education and professional development of its employees.