Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

What's going on at FWS

With more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges, 70 national fish hatcheries, numerous regional and field offices across the country and thousands of active conservation projects, the nearly 8,000 employees of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have a lot going on. Here are a few of the latest news stories from across the Service...

Butterfly rests on tall flowering plant.
Endangered Species Act
Revisions Strengthen Endangered Species Act
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) have finalized three rules that will restore important protections for species and their habitats,...
Two orange-black butterflies with black and white spots sit on a purple flower
Our Partners
National Guard protects last eastern population of rare butterfly
One of the busiest National Guard Training Centers in the U.S. is the only place where the eastern regal fritillary butterfly is still found. It’s not a coincidence.
wetland with blue sky and white clouds
Land Management
Continued Decline of Wetlands Documented in New U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report
A new report released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reveals wetlands – 95 percent of which are freshwater — covered less than 6 percent of the lower 48 states as of 2019 – which is half the area they covered since the 1780s. The report also identifies that loss rates have increased by 50...
A wind turbine in the ocean
Migratory Species
Where do birds go offshore? The answers may be blowing in the wind
The Service's growing collaboration with offshore-wind companies helps biologists uncover new information about offshore movements of birds, bats and even butterflies.
dozen caribou females and their calves on tundra with mountains in the distance
Wildlife Management
Administration Initiatives Prioritized in President’s $4 Billion FY 2025 Budget Request
The Biden-Harris administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, including a proposed $1.9 billion in current appropriations, to fund the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The budget funds the Service’s resource management and conservation programs and supports the...
An image of a Florida Panther resting on the ground.
Wildlife Management
Interior Department Establishes Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area
The Department of the Interior today announced the establishment of the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area in southwest Florida as the 571st and newest unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The new four-million-acre conservation area...

Our Focus

The history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be traced back to 1871. We are the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust for people today and future generations. Here are just a few of our focus areas...

What We Do For You

If you’re looking for places to experience nature; interested in partnering with us; seeking technical advice, permits, grants, data or scientific research; want to know more about today’s conservation challenges; looking for ways on how you can get involved and make a difference -- the Service has a lot to offer and more…

Visit Us - Our Locations

With more than 560 national wildlife refuges, dozens of national fish hatcheries and more than 100 field offices, there are numerous great U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service locations to visit.