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

A stately Roosevelt elk in the snow
Wildlife Management
Service Awards More Than $6.6 Million in Tribal Wildlife Grants to Advance Shared Conservation Goals
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding more than $6.6 million to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. This year’s funding will support 35 tribes for conservation projects across 15 states, benefiting a wide...
Yellow and purple flowers blooming near a farm.
Working Lands
National Agriculture Day
Each year, we celebrate the vital role agriculture plays in our daily lives and express our deep appreciation for the people whose work sustains the nation. We want to recognize the agricultural community as key partners in advancing our conservation mission, supporting rural livelihoods and...
FWS staff poses with America 250 flag in front of wetland
History and Culture
Flags Connect With Nature Amid High-Tech World
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...
Peregrine falcon in flight low over the ice
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 green darner, peregrine falcon, western bluebird, western toad, sandhill crane, American white pelican and American bittern.
Close-up of the pronghorn grazing.
Working Lands
Restoring pronghorn access to winter habitat
Pronghorn aren’t the first animal people usually think of when they hear the word migration. But in North America, 50% of the pronghorn population migrates through sections of Wyoming each spring and fall. One notable migration journey is 150 miles each way, from around Grand Teton National Park up...
A child in a pink coat and hat admires the salmon tank
Our Partners
Community Salmon Tanks: Salmon Beyond the Hatchery
Did you know our hatcheries aren’t the only places where you can see salmon? Through partnerships with local organizations, we bring salmon tanks to schools, libraries, and learning centers, giving students and visitors a front-row seat to the salmon lifecycle.

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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