Midwest Region Conserving the nature of America

Find Locations Near You

The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Find a location near you.

The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Find a location near you and plan your visit today »

Conserving the Nature of America

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Pollinators sweeten summer foods

Bicolored striped-sweat bee pollinating a sunflower. Photo courtesy of Sankax/Creative Commons.
Bicolored striped-sweat bee pollinating a sunflower. Photo courtesy of Sankax/Creative Commons.

Pollinators are a vital part of nature. They also provide a vital service to farmers. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognize the economic value of native pollinators in the U.S., which is estimated at $3 billion a year. We also recognize that they do this for FREE! Scientists are increasingly discovering how native pollinators can contribute to crop pollination. Let’s meet some favorite summer foods and their pollinators.

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Weekly Wrap-up: June 8 - 14, 2018

Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.
Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.

Check out our best stories from around the web and social media. This week features snapper sightings, crane colts, killdeer calling and more!

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Capturing the beauty of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge

Common buckeye butterfly. Photo by Jessica Bolser/USFWS.
Common buckeye butterfly. Photo by Jessica Bolser/USFWS.

We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know that national wildlife refuges are wonderful places for nature photography - for visitors and employees. Meet Jessica Bolser, a wildlife biologist based at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Iowa. In addition to studying and monitoring the local wildlife, she uses her keen observation skills to capture some amazing shots. Bolser has taken hundreds, maybe thousands, of photos at the refuge in recent years. Here are some of her favorites and the stories behind them.

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Growing access at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

Wild geranium. Photo by Maggie O’Connell/USFWS.
Wild geranium. Photo by Maggie O’Connell/USFWS.

We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know that getting outside is beneficial for your health and well-being. It’s also fun! We want to get more Americans out birding, boating or just walking in the woods, whether it’s a trip of a lifetime to a remote national wildlife refuge or an urban escape close to home. Together with our partners, we’re are growing one of our newest national wildlife refuges here in the midwest.

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Weekly Wrap-up: June 1 - 7, 2018

Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.
Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.

Check out our best stories from around the web and social media. This week features turtle crossings, robin nests, swallow sightings and more!

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Last updated: June 18, 2018