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

Two shorebirds with long, upcurved bills and orange feathered heads stand in a wetland. One bird has it's head down near the water to feed.
Recreation
Celebrating community and stewardship in Utah
Established nearly 100 years ago, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah protects the Bear River delta as it empties into the Great Salt Lake. Millions of birds migrate through the area, relying on the rich habitat to sustain them on their journeys that can be thousands of miles. More...
A white moth with a large fuzzy body and long antennae
Wildlife Wonders
Our nation's nature
To celebrate America's 250th birthday, we're highlighting the incredible wildlife that calls this beautiful country home. This week, learn about the spicebush swallowtail, eastern fence lizard, cedar waxwing, Virginia tiger moth, green anole, common yellowthroat and spotted salamander.
A woman sits on a rock watching sandhill cranes land in a field.
Recreation
Spring break for sandhill cranes in Colorado
Every year in southern Colorado, San Luis Valley is full of spring break revelers, but not the ones taking a break from school. Sandhill cranes have been stopping by each spring for thousands of years. These days, they rely on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and neighboring agricultural lands...
A sea turtle with it's back half in a hole in the sand, laying eggs.
Safeguarding Sea Turtle Nests Across the Texas Coast
Every spring, the Texas coast becomes a vital nursery for thousands of nesting sea turtles. Green, loggerhead, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles all nest on our sandy shores. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the world's smallest and most endangered sea turtle, rely almost entirely on Gulf beaches in Texas...
FWS staffers hold America 250-FWs flag as US flag flies
History and Culture
Birds Keep Flags Company at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
As part of the Flags Across America initiative for America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sharing stories from the places where our commemorative flags have traveled. From historic hatcheries to vibrant refuges, each stop celebrates conservation as an enduring American...
A green ceramic mask of a human face sits beside three animal skulls on a metal table next to an opened package
Wildlife Crime
Massachusetts man sentenced for smuggling skulls, skins, and claws of protected species
A USFWS investigation, prompted by a mislabeled package concealing skulls of protected species, showed that a Massachusetts man had been knowingly buying, selling, and trading hundreds of wildlife parts in violation of U.S. and international laws and treaties for years.

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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