Southern Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office

The Southern Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office is located in Las Vegas, Nevada within the Mojave Desert. The Southern Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office was established in 1995 primarily to work on recovery and regulatory issues related to the Mojave population of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (Act), and to help with efforts to conserve native desert fishes in southern Nevada. Currently, the Southern Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office works with federal, state, and local partners to recover 26 federally listed species and three candidate species designated under the Act. We also are responsible for administrating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and we work with others to protect migratory birds in southern Nevada. Our staff of 15 includes biologists and technical staff with expertise in desert ecology, spring and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian systems, high elevation ecosystems, information technology, administration, and geographic information system (GIS).

Migratory Bird Permit Program

The mission of the Migratory Bird Permit Program is to promote long-term conservation of migratory birds and their habitats and encourage joint stewardship with others.

As authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits to qualified applicants for activities such as falconry, raptor propagation, scientific collecting, special purposes (rehabilitation, educational, migratory game bird propagation, and salvage), take of depredating birds, taxidermy, and waterfowl sale and disposal.

For more information about migratory bird permits in southern Nevada, contact the Migratory Bird Permit Office in Sacramento, California, at (916) 414-6464, or via email to PermitsR8MB@fws.gov. Additional information about migratory birds in your area can be found here:

The western burrowing owl is a small, ground-dwelling owl found throughout the arid and semi-arid areas of the western United States. While these small owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, their habitat is not protected. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers the species a bird of conservation concern due to the loss of suitable habitat and burrows for nesting. Learn more about these facinating birds here:

Harming of individual owls and the destruction or harming of their eggs is prohibited under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; however, the law does not protect their habitat.