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

Wildlife Wonders

Meet 10 lesser-known turtles

Think of a turtle - any turtle. Was it the western chicken turtle? How about the smooth softshell turtle? Probably not! We want to tell you about 10 lesser-known turtles. These turtles may not be as widely recognized as the painted turtle, common snapping turtle or red-eared slider, but they each...

Jul 10, 2025

Several heart-shaped leaves, each dark green with a light green pattern, growing just above the ground

Endangered Species Act

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Removes Native Carolina Plant from Endangered Species List

After decades of partnership-driven recovery efforts in North and South Carolina, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the dwarf-flowered heartleaf from the federal list of endangered and threatened plants.

Jul 8, 2025

Migratory Species

Reviving river herring

Working strategically with partners along the Eastern Seaboard to restore stocks of river herring and associated benefits for people

Jul 2, 2025

Helping a rare rabbit multiply

Researchers had limited success breeding rare New England cottontails for release into the wild ... until they let females choose their mates. Funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supported this and other discoveries by our state partners and the University of Rhode Island.

Jul 1, 2025

Two large white crane stand in a field of green grass and yellow flowers..

Endangered Species Act

2025 Wintering Whooping Crane Count

The latest survey results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicated a record estimate of 557 whooping cranes wintering on and around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge for the 2024-2025 season. The survey noted that the population included at least 41 tawny-colored juvenile cranes, new...

Jun 30, 2025

Migratory Species

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Debuts New Federal and Junior Duck Stamps

Hunters, bird watchers, stamp collectors, and artists celebrated as the 2025-2026 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp – went on sale. The new Federal Duck Stamp and its younger sibling, the Junior Duck Stamp, debuted today at a special event...

Jun 27, 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

Climate Change

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.