U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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 and Wildlife Service have a lot going on. Here are a few of the latest news stories from across the Service...

Habitat Restoration

Restoring the Riverbed: How Sport Fish Restoration Act Funds Are Rebuilding Salmon and Steelhead Habitat in California’s Central Valley

In California’s Central Valley, along the Merced River, the low rumble of bulldozers signals renewal. Crews are returning clean, sorted gravel to the riverbed, rebuilding spawning habitat that salmon and steelhead have relied on for thousands of years.

Sep 29, 2025

a close up of a black-footed ferret head poking through an artificial den entrance

Science and Technology

Cloned Black-footed Ferret Kits Offer Hope for the Species

Announcing the birth of four litters of black-footed ferrets this summer at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center — an exciting development in ongoing cloning research. These remarkable kits — 6 females and 6 males...

Sep 24, 2025

Get Involved

Minnesota Artist James Hautman Wins 2025 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest

After two days of competition, James Hautman of Chaska, Minnesota, emerged as the winner of the 2025 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with an acrylic painting of three buffleheads. The announcement was made at an in-person event and via livestream at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland.

Sep 19, 2025

Wildlife Management

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces National Visitor Survey Results

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports 97% satisfaction by visitors with the quality of the overall experiences offered by national wildlife refuges across the United States. This and other key findings are among new national-level results from the National Wildlife Refuge System’s National...

Sep 19, 2025

Wildlife Management

Interior Announces More Than $54 Million for Waterfowl Habitat, Increased Public Access on Refuges

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced more than $54 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund has been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the ability to conserve 21,737 acres of waterfowl habitat and...

Sep 18, 2025

A woman and young boy stand on a frozen lake. The woman is helping the boy hold up a fish they have just caught from a hole in the ice.

Recreation

Why We Love National Hunting and Fishing Day

Each fall, Americans from every walk of life grab their rods, reels, bows, and shotguns to celebrate a tradition older than the nation itself. National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September. It’s more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a celebration of how...

Sep 25, 2025

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...

A digger bee approaches golden currant flowers

Pollinators

aerial view of wetlands, boreal forest, and a river

National Wildlife Refuges

a small bird with a cricket in its mouth being held by a biologist

Protecting Wildlife

Celebrating America's 250 Anniversary

A woman with a huge smile on her face holds a massive salmon in both arms.

National Fish Hatchery System

Law Enforcement

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…

Partners for Fish and Wildlife: Landowners (Heguy Family) Meet with Partners for Fish and Wildlife Biologist Chris Jasmine and Carol Evans of the Bureau of Land Management to Review Progress

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.