We are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people.

We offer a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. And through our work to conserve natural resources, we provide communities with healthier environments, clean water, flood control and a strong economy.

Achieving Our Mission

Learn about our priorities, statutory authority and functions. 

History of Fish and Wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior and the nation’s oldest conservation agency. Our origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study why the nation’s food fishes were decreasing and recommend ways to reverse that decline.

Though the name of our agency has changed multiple times over the years, what endures is the collective dedication of Service employees to face the conservation challenges of their dayand now, our daywith ingenuity, integrity and hard work. Fortunately, our history shows that we’ve always been up to the challenge.

Our Locations

Latest Stories

Almond trees in bloom
Habitat Restoration
A Central Valley collaborative seeding change 
In the heart of California’s Central Valley - where fertile soil and economic demands collide - a quiet transformation is taking root. This weaving of crops and habitat together, to build resilience and partnerships between farmers, seed producers, conservationists and communities. We at the U.S....
Our Partners
Scaling up brook trout conservation in the Delaware River watershed
Partners received funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and the Department of the Interior’s America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative to support interstate brook trout conservation in the Delaware River watershed
River Herring Returning up the Merrimack River
Habitat Restoration
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Partners Announce More Than $23.4 Million for Fish Conservation
Through the National Fish Habitat Partnership, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and partners are providing more than $23.4 million to support 53 on-the-ground fish habitat conservation projects in 29 states. The Service is providing $5.9 million this year, with non-governmental organizations,...
Man holds fly rod and net as he catches a trout.
History and Culture
Casting a Conservation Legacy 75 Years of the Sport Fish Restoration Act
This year, the Sport Fish Restoration Act turns 75. This milestone marks three-quarters of a century ensuring that sport fish populations and aquatic habitats are healthy, sustainable, and accessible for all. No other funding method has had the same longevity, consistency, and significance for...
Three red fish in leaves are seasoned for cooking
Get Involved
Fishing Pono in Hawaiʻi: A Call to Honor Nature and Its Gifts
Hawaiʻi is a space where culture, nature, and sustainability are woven together. At the heart of this connection is the ancient Hawaiian concept of living pono — a word that translates to righteous or proper. In the context of fishing, pono is a way of life that speaks to a deep responsibility to...
A scenic photo of a swamp in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge on a clear day.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the National Wetlands Inventory
Wetlands contribute to the health, safety, and prosperity of communities by supplying clean water, protecting people and infrastructure from floods and storms, and providing opportunities for recreation including birding, hunting, fishing, and boating. Wetlands have long been central to the mission...

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See Where Your Tax Dollars Go 

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service develops an annual budget justification which defines our goals, objectives, and the funding necessary to accomplish them. Once approved, funds are allocated to programs and regions, and monitored to ensure those funds are used as mandated by Congress.

View Our Budget

Do Business With Us

The mission of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In support of the mission, the FWS procures goods and services that include: land rehabilitation; information technology resources; construction projects; professional and nonprofessional services; supplies; and environmental studies. We look forward to working with qualified, capable contractors, including small businesses.

Learn About Contracting

Work With Us

The range of career options available in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is as wide as it is rewarding. A career with us might be just what you’re looking for if you’re passionate about supporting our mission and science, water quality, nature, air quality, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, native plants, or education. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work.  

Browse Current Job Opportunities