Serving Florida by conserving our most imperiled species and working with others to conserve plants, fish, and wildlife.
Doing a deeper dive on endangered species policy, planning and species?

Latest News

A wooden bridge across a meandering stream.
Habitat Restoration
Apalachicola Comeback
The Apalachicola River, its tributaries, and the at-risk mussels who live there are staging a comeback after decades of decline. But maybe the animals were there all along and we just didn't know it.
Panama City crayfish
Habitat Restoration
Crayfish Chronicles
Habitat conditions will improve for the Panama City Crayfish with help from timber cleanup funds.
Group of manatees resting in the warm, clear, blue water of Three Sisters Springs
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Findings on Two West Indian Manatee Petitions
ATLANTA, Ga. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed two 90-day findings on Endangered Species Act petitions to uplist the West Indian manatee and the Puerto Rican population of the Antillean manatee. Based on the Service’s review, both petitions present substantial scientific or...
Short-tailed snake among the leaves
Endangered Species Act
Short-tailed snake
The proposed listing could protect the small non-venomous snake found in the upland sandhills and sand pine scrub of Peninsular Florida.
Bill Tate, wildlife biologist for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service catches an Okaloosa darter in a stream on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Endangered Species Act
Okaloosa Darter Makes Epic Comeback: What's Next?
It took decades to recover a small fish. Now what?
A pale coral-colored Miami cave crayfish faces the camera while underwater.
Endangered Species Act
Miami Cave Crayfish
Saltwater intrusion threatens the tiny crayfish, and it has nowhere to go, prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to propose protections under the Endangered Species Act.
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About Us

Biologist standing chest-deep in water holding a gulf sturgeon
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the nation's wildlife management and conservation agency. The Florida Ecological Services Office is the primary Service office serving the state of Florida on matters of federal threatened and endangered species and habitat conservation, including supporting the conservation of private lands; and working with federal agencies and other partners to address fish, plant, and wildlife impacts resulting from their actions. The Florida Ecological Services Office is headquartered in Gainesville, with branch offices in Panama city, Jacksonville, and Vero Beach to better serve those areas of the state.

What We Do

Perdido Key beach mouse sticking its head out from a human-made shelter covered in sand
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Across Florida, we carry out the Service’s mission by:

  • Conserving imperiled species.
  • Helping federal agencies identify and address negative plant, fish, and wildlife impacts from projects they fund or authorize.
  • Conversing with the American public about wildlife conservation via social media, educational programs, public hearings, and other forms of public interaction.

Our Organization

A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA

Our Species

The most current information on Federally-listed species found in the Florida Ecological Services Office area please search the Service's Environmental Conservation Online System ( ECOS ECOS
Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) serves a variety of reports related to FWS Threatened and Endangered Species.

Learn more about ECOS ).  

Use IPaC to identify your project location and receive an official species list (pursuant to 50 CFR 402.12) of T&E species that should be considered when evaluating the potential impacts of a project.

Projects and Research

Lone piping plover, with leg bands, standing on sand
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Working with others is at the core of our operations. We develop many conservation projects across Florida with federal, state, and local agencies, industry and private groups, and individuals. Whether it is Everglades and coastal restorations, project planning, working with landowners, or conservation at multiple military facilities, among others, effective partnering delivers results. Learn more about our efforts currently underway.

Our Library

Four sea turtles bask on a beach in the sun. A rainbow is in the sky behind them.
Green Sea Turtle Meetings & Hearings
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries are holding public meetings and hearings about the proposed critical habitat for green sea turtles. The meetings will include presentations, a Q&A session, followed by a public hearing for formal verbal testimony. Participants must register...
Library Collection
4 Items
Green sea turtle, or honu, rests on the white sand of Midway Atoll, with clear waves in the background.
Green Sea Turtle
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announce proposals to designate areas of critical habitat for the green sea turtle.
Press Release
A green sea turtle swims along the bottom of the reef.
Green Sea Turtle
Learn about the proposed critical habitat for the green sea turtle.
Story
Endangered Species Act
A Florida Keys mole skink is shown from above on sand. His back is brown with a pinkish red tail.
Florida Keys Mole Skink
Browse our library for maps and information about the Florida Keys mole skink proposed listing and critical habitat designation.
Library Collection
3 Items
A Key ring-necked snake is curled on an orange fall leaf. It is a small, black on top with bright yellow, orange and red markings on the belly.
Key Ring-necked Snake
Browse our library for maps and information about the proposed listing and critical habitat designation of the Key ring-necked snake.
Library Collection
3 Items
An adult rim rock crowned snake is curled around limestone rocks and dirt on the ground in Miami, Florida. Its head is brownish black with a red-brown back and tan belly.
Rim Rock Crowned Snake
Browse our library for maps and information about the rim rock crowned snake proposed listing and critical habitat designation.
Library Collection
3 Items
A Florida bonneted bat rests on a tree trunk.
Florida Bonneted Bat
Browse our library for maps and information about the Florida bonneted bat.
Library Collection
2 Items
A Miami tiger beetle stands on a rock.
Miami Tiger Beetle
Browse our library for maps and information about the Miami tiger beetle critical habitat designation.
Library Collection
4 Items

Get Involved

Three people on a beach, kneeling around a partially excavated sea turtle nest
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A fundamental tenet in our approach to conservation is engagement with our community – from private landowners wanting to improve endangered species habitat on their land to non-profits doing on-the-ground work.

Location and Contact Information