A key mechanism for facilitating collaborations is the Tri-State’s Innovation Working Group (IWG) Program, which supports collaborative, trans-disciplinary work by the three member states. The IWG provides a venue for engaging scientists and educators, along with key nationally and internationally recognized experts. This program supports week-long working group activities that are modeled after those hosted by the highly successful NSF-supported National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS).