The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to avoid, minimize, and mitigate threats to our nation's natural resources.

What We Do

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Our Services

We provide national leadership in the conservation of coastal areas and wetlands; restoration of natural resources injured by hazardous substances; environmental reviews of federal projects; listing and recovery candidate, threatened, and endangered species; and management of decision support and mapping tools.

Our Laws and Regulations

We are responsible for implementing numerous laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Federal Power Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Sikes Act.

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
A photo collage of seven species found in the Edwards Aquifer on a black background. The species are the orange Comal Springs dryopid beetle, the pink to clear Texas blind salamander, the tan to orange San Marcos salamander, the orange to burnt red Comal Springs riffle beetle. The second row of species features the clear Peck’s cave amphipod, the green and yellow Texas wild-rice and tan and blue fountain darter.
Endangered Species Act
Service Extends Public Comment Period on Draft Recovery Plan for Edwards Aquifer Listed Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extending the public comment period for the draft recovery plan for seven southern Edwards Aquifer species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. These species are dependent upon groundwater from the aquifer to support their needed...
Woman at a microscope set up at at pickup truck
Endangered Species Act
Snapshot: Biologists Begin Assessing Area Streams Post-Hurricane Helene
Post-Hurricane Helene, Fish and Wildlife Service biologists begin the long process of assessing area streams and strategizing wildlife recovery.
Clouds surround the major peaks of the Teton Range over Jackson Lake and Willow Flats.
Wildlife Management
Grizzly #399’s Remains Returned to Grand Teton National Park
On November 1, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, honored the legacy of grizzly bear #399 by returning her ashes to the Pilgrim Creek area of the park, where she spent much of her life. Following a respectful cremation, grizzly #399’s remains...
Trees and grasses line the sides of a river with ripples across the surface.
Habitat Restoration
Freshwater Mussels and Fish Moved to a New Home in the Donner und Blitzen River
Conservation partners from across Harney County in Oregon recently came together to move over 8,000 western ridged mussels and over 6,500 fish to make way for the removal and replacement of Dunn Dam on the river within Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
A variety of mussels in the hand of a biologist
Endangered Species Act
Recovery plan for four imperiled freshwater mussels
They have quirky names and are often mistaken for stones, but freshwater mussels are very much alive and perform critical ecological functions in rivers and streams. We've published a recovery plan to save four imperiled mussels protected under the Endangered Species Act: the rayed bean, sheepnose...
stick figure person and a piece of mail floating away
Science and Technology
Listening to Feedback
The ePermits Customer Satisfaction Survey launched on December 6, 2022. In line with Executive Order 14085, the survey is a tool to understand customer needs and expectations for ePermits. In our first year, we received 1,556 responses, of which 780 contained written comments (December 2022 –...
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Our Library

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Our mission to protect species and their habitats includes the creation of many outputs, including reports, images, videos, news stories, and more. Whether you’re looking for a specific document pertaining to the work we do or information on an authority we administer, you can find it here.