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 more than 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...

Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and other partners pose for the Numana Dam groundbreaking.

Habitat Restoration

Numana Dam Fish Passage Project

On September 13, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service broke ground to commence construction on a fish passage project at Numana Dam in northern Nevada. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Nevada Department of Wildlife and other partners joined the Service...

Sep 20, 2023

Long-abandoned, 'orphaned' wells find champion named BIL

Oil and gas wells are considered “orphaned” when there is no known owner and therefore no party (person, business, landowner...) responsible for their upkeep and maintenance. In this sense, it is like discarded trash on the side of the road: It is a problem; it needs to be cleaned up; but who is...

Sep 15, 2023

Migratory Species

Montana Artist Chuck Black Wins 2023 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest

After two days of competition, Chuck Black of Belgrade, Montana, emerged as the winner of the 2023 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with an oil painting of a northern pintail.

Sep 16, 2023

Endangered Species Act

More Than $40.6M Coming to Conserve America’s Most Imperiled Species

The Department of the Interior today announced more than $40.6 million in grants through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to 10 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands to support land acquisition and conservation planning projects on over 7,200 acres of habitat for 65 listed and at-risk species...

Sep 14, 2023

Wildlife Management

Interior Department Announces More Than $50.6 Million for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced that more than $50.6 million in funding has been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners the ability to help conserve, restore or enhance more than 106,600 acres...

Sep 13, 2023

Habitat Restoration

Over $10.5M from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda for Sagebrush

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced more than $10.5 million in fiscal year 2024 funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support 59 strategic projects in Western states focused on habitat restoration and on-the-ground science.

Sep 12, 2023

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...

Director's Priorities

Two small, brown butterflies on a flower with pink long petals and a deep redish-brown seed head.

National Wildlife Refuges

The Endangered Species Act at 50

Climate Change

Invasive Species Management

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…

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.