Science Excellence

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The goal of Science Excellence is to strengthen the Service's tradition of scientific excellence in the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitat. We will accomplish this by:

• Expanding our capacities to acquire apply and communicate scientific information.
• Promoting active involvement of the Service and our employees in the larger scientific community.
• Encouraging strengthened partnerships between the Service and other scientific organizations, particularly the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Growing the next generation of Service scientists

In January 2008, Director H. Dale Hall announced the organization’s Scientific Code of Professional Conduct. The code, developed over a three-year period by the Service’s Science Committee, is a set of guidelines applicable to scientists, managers and executives within the agency. It applies to scientific conduct, but also extends to the translation and application of science used to inform resource management decisions.

The code provides clear guidance to support employees and managers in their pursuit of sound science and help the Service maintain open and robust ties with the greater scientific community.

The Service code is modeled after codes from professional scientific organizations and has been praised by The Wildlife Society and American Fisheries Society – the two leading societies for fish and wildlife scientists:

"The American Fisheries Society includes many U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees among its members and has long believed that a strong code of professional conduct is an important aspect of organizational integrity. This new Service policy reflects that same commitment, and we applaud the Service for taking this step which is closely commensurate with the code of conduct that the American Fisheries Society has long espoused."
– Dr. Gus Rassam, Executive Director
American Fisheries Society.

“The Wildlife Society adopted a Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Conduct in 1963 to recognize and uphold the professional integrity of the wildlife profession. We commend the Service in adopting a parallel scientific code of professional conduct, which we believe will reinforce and strengthen the agency's tradition of scientific excellence and commitment to wildlife research and management."
– Dan Svedarsky, President
The Wildlife Society

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