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, our 8,400+ 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 Management

Over $1.6 Billion Will Support Conservation Agencies and Outdoor Access

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced over $1.6 billion in apportionments to support states, commonwealths and territories in their efforts to connect people with nature and conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats. The record-setting funding is supported through excise taxes paid...

Mar 3, 2023

Wildlife Management

Winter 2023 Fish & Wildlife News: CITES Turns 50

In November 2022, over 2,000 people gathered in Panama City, Panama, for two weeks. Their job at the 19th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES: to improve global trade in wildlife to ensure it doesn’t threaten the...

Mar 2, 2023

Climate Change

Maine refuge stores tons of carbon

Tucked in the Maine woods, this unassuming, little-known unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System has been quietly providing high-quality wildlife habitat and recreation while moonlighting as a climate superhero.

Feb 17, 2023

Endangered Species Act

Mexican Wolf Numbers Soar Past 200

For the first time since reintroduction into the wild, the population of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico has surpassed 200, with a minimum of 241 wild wolves documented in 2022.

Feb 28, 2023

Boats and water recreators are pictured on a large lake

Habitat Restoration

National Invasive Species Week: Protecting the Lake Tahoe Basin

With recent funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there’s now potential to provide habitat for almost every native species in the Lake Tahoe Basin The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remains committed to working with the Washoe Tribe, state, and federal partners to combat aquatic invasive...

Feb 21, 2023

a brown owl with white spots sits on a snag with brown foliage in the background

Endangered Species Act

Public Comment Sought on Proposal to List California Spotted Owl

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is proposing to list the California spotted owl under the ESA. The Service is proposing to list the Coastal-Southern California DPS as endangered and the Sierra Nevada DPS as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As part of this proposed...

Feb 22, 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

Endangered Species

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.