Serving Kentucky by conserving our most imperiled species and working with federal agencies to conserve plants, fish, and wildlife.

Latest News

a close up photo of the relict darter
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Reclassifies Fish Native to Western Kentucky
Following a review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is downlisting the relict darter, a small fish native to the Bayou de Chien stream system in western Kentucky, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service is also implementing...
Close up photo of multiple green and brown mussels in a person's hand
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to list the salamander mussel as endangered
We're proposing to list the salamander mussel as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and are seeking public comment. The salamander mussel is a species of freshwater mussel currently found in scattered populations across 14 states from New York southwest to Arkansas. We are also proposing...
Underwater view of a snorkeler's face
Endangered Species Act
Service Proposes Listing Three Eastern Freshwater Mussels Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes placing three freshwater mussels, the Cumberland moccasinshell, Tennessee clubshell, and Tennessee pigtoe on the federal list of threatened and endangered species. Each of these species is being proposed for endangered species status.
Underwater view of a snorkeler's face
Endangered Species Act
Questions and answers about Cumberland moccasinshell, Tennessee clubshell, and Tennessee pigtoe
After conducting a thorough species status review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes placing three freshwater mussels, the Cumberland moccasinshell, Tennessee clubshell, and Tennessee pigtoe, on the federal list of threatened and endangered species. All three mussels are being proposed as...
Rabbitsfoot Mussel
Endangered Species Act
Service Announces Availability of Final Recovery Plan for Rabbitsfoot Mussel
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing the availability of the final recovery plan for the rabbitsfoot mussel. This plan includes specific criteria for determining when the rabbitsfoot should be considered for delisting, removing it from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened...
Tricolored bat
State of the Bats
The 2023 State of the Bats report described the current conservation status and top threats facing North American bats.
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About Us

Cluster of bats with a lone bat occupying the foreground
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The Kentucky Field Office was established in 2001 and is a leader in conserving Kentucky imperiled species and their habitats, ensuring that sustainable populations of fish, wildlife, and plants continue to thrive for future generations.  Our team is involved in conservation throughout the state, focusing on recovery of over 49 threatened and endangered species, with the majority occurring in central and east Kentucky. 

What We Do

Group of small fish swimming just above a bed of stones
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The Kentucky Field Office provides assistance to Federal and State agencies, local governments, businesses, and the general public relative to conserving, protecting, and restoring habitat for federally threatened and endangered species. Our assistance is typically provided through six programs: pre-development consultation, federal permits and projects, endangered species listing and recovery, environmental contaminants, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and education/outreach.

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 Library

Resources to assist you in working with the Kentucky Ecological Services Field Office. 

Kentucky Field Office's Participation in Conservation Memoranda of Agreement for the Indiana Bat and/or Northern Long-eared Bat
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Kentucky Field Office's Participation in Conservation Memoranda of Agreement for the Indiana Bat and/or Northern Long-eared Bat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Field Office (KFO) proposes to participate in an indefinite number of voluntary Conservation Memoranda of Agreement (CMOA) with federal and non-federal entities that would provide recovery-focused conservation benefits for Indiana and northern long-...

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Fluted Kidneyshell_Final RP.pdf
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Fluted Kidneyshell_Final RP.pdf

Final recovery plan for the endangered fluted kidneyshell

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Standing Analysis of for the Kentucky Determination Key.pdf
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Standing Analysis of for the Kentucky Determination Key.pdf

This Standing Analysis supports the conclusions the "Kentucky Determination Key" delivered by the Service's Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) system.

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Get Involved

One person's hand holds a crayfish, showing the underside, while another holds a pencil up to the crayfish
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A fundamental tenet in our approach to conservation is community engagement – from working with private landowners wanting to improve endangered species habitat on their land, to helping non-profits doing on-the-ground work.

Location and Contact Information