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

Latest News

Portrait of a hellbender under water
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to list the eastern hellbender as endangered
Today, we announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act. Eastern hellbenders are found in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania...
Brown and black striated freshwater mussels sitting a steel truck bed
Endangered Species Act
Proposing critical habitat for four mussel species
We're proposing to designate critical habitat for four species of endangered freshwater mussels. Habitat for the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox and spectaclecase mussels can be found in 17 states in the central and eastern United States. We're proposing to designate a total of 3,974 river miles of...
Male monarch butterfly on rabbitbrush
Endangered Species Act
Monarch Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing protection for one of the nation’s most beloved species, the monarch butterfly, and is encouraging the public to be part of its recovery. The Service is seeking public input on a proposal to list the species as threatened with species-specific...
Snail crawling up a vertical rock face
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conducts Five-Year Status Reviews of 59 Southeastern Species
As part of the process mandated by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct five-year status reviews of 59 endangered or threatened fish, wildlife, and plants. 
Clear river water flows over a rock-covered stream bottom
Endangered Species Act
FAQs – Withdrawal of the pyramid pigtoe from listing consideration
Questions answered regarding the decision to withdraw the proposed listing of the pyramid pigtoe mussel based on new genetic research.
Clear river water flows over a rock-covered stream bottom
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to list pyramid pigtoe mussel withdrawn
In the wake of new genetic research indicating the pyramid pigtoe freshwater mussel is not a distinct species, rather is the same animal as the more common round pigtoe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws its proposal to list the pyramid pigtoe as a threatened species under the Endangered...
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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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Snail darter in hand.
Post-Delisting Monitoring in the Southeast
This library includes background information about post-delisting monitoring (PDM) and recent PDM plans released for species in the southeast.
Library Collection
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the shell of a freshwater mussel
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Fluted Kidneyshell-Final RP.pdf

Final recovery plan for the endangered fluted kidneyshell

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Range-wide Indiana Bat Protection and Enhancement Plan Guidelines
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Range-wide Indiana Bat Protection and Enhancement Plan Guidelines

Range-wide Indiana Bat Protection and Enhancement Plan Guidelines for Surface Coal-mining Operations – February 2013 Revisions

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Kentucky State-wide Determination Key
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Kentucky State-wide Determination Key

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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App A Standing Analysis Interim Consultation Framework
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App A Standing Analysis Interim Consultation Framework

This document constitutes the Standing Analysis for the Interim Consultation Framework. In this Standing Analysis we examine whether potential federal actions covered by the Interim Consultation Framework are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the northern long-eared bat; this...

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Clearance to Proceed with Federally Insured Loan Grant Projects
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Clearance to Proceed with Federally Insured Loan Grant Projects

This guidance and clearance letter is provided to fulfill the ESA’s statutory obligations in a timely and consistent manner, and to assist Federal agencies, State and local governments, and consultants in addressing Section 7 and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental impact...

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Indiana Bat Determination Key Standing Analysis
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Indiana Bat Determination Key Standing Analysis

This standing analysis supports the "Indiana Bat Determination Key" delivered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) system. The Service's Kentucky Field Office (KFO) developed the Indiana Bat Determination Key (DKey) to streamline the...

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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