Partners are valuable allies to the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and play a vital role in meeting the Service's conservation goals. We team up with private conservation organizations, state and federal agencies and tribes. Together, with the landowner, this collective shares funding, materials, equipment, labor and expertise to meet restoration goals and our conservation mission.

Partnership Categories

Great things happen when partners are matched with the right opportunities. That's why we work with many types of partners at FWS from local businesses and conservation groups to veterans and large industry partners. Here are just a few of the Partner Categories working with FWS today.

Academic Institutions

We frequently partner with academia to further the conservation of and research into the stewardship of many species.

Conservation, Science, and Land Management Organizations

We often partner with non-governmental conservation organizations on conservation projects, whether it's to conserve identified species such as the monarch butterfly or to advise on land acquisition for conservation so that it has the greatest benefit for species.

Economic, Tourism, Retail, and Industry

We partner with these groups to help them conduct their commercial activities in a way that best promotes conservation.

Icon /Federal Agencies
Federal Agencies

We work with other federal agencies to help them meet their legal responsibilities as well as their mission.

Friends Groups

Friends groups are organizations of community members committed to helping national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries meet conservation goals that would otherwise be out of reach. 

View Partnership Categories

Our Partners

Here are just a few of our national partners.  You can view the full list of FWS partners, along with the regions and areas of focus our work together entails.

View Full Partner List

Latest Stories About Our Partners

a snake in a tree
Endangered Species Act
Service Withdraws Proposal to Reclassify Virgin Islands Boa From Endangered to Threatened
Following a thorough review of new scientific data, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is withdrawing its proposal to reclassify the Virgin Islands boa from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
a snake in a tree
Endangered Species Act
El Servicio retira la propuesta para reclasificar la boa de Islas Vírgenes de en peligro de extinción a amenazada
Luego de una revisión exhaustiva de nuevos datos científicos, el Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre (Servicio), está retirando su propuesta para reclasificar la boa de Islas Vírgenes de en peligro de extinción a amenazada bajo la Ley de Especies en Peligro de Extinción (ESA, por sus siglas...
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...
A quadrat worth of sediment in the process of being sifted through in search of freshwater mussels.
Endangered Species Act
Norfork National Fish Hatchery Assists With Mussel Survey
For several years now, Norfork National Fish Hatchery has been propagating mussels in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Some of the employees had the chance to assist with a survey to determine the diversity and abundance of a site on the Spring River. This spot also happened...
Spring River Crayfish
Wildlife Management
Norfork National Fish Hatchery Assists with Crayfish Sampling
Gap-Ringed Crayfish vs. Spring River Crayfish - Is one taking over?
Whooping crane pauses in the vegetation at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Endangered Species Act
Flight to Survive
By the late 1800’s, agricultural expansion, wetland degradation and direct take such as shooting and collection had drastically reduced the population of whooping cranes. But even when it looked like they had lost in the contest with man and nature, not everyone lost hope.

Partnership Services

A group of people in a field
Image Details

Through our partnerships we are able to expand our capabilities through the inclusion of services in areas such as:

  • Grant opportunities
  • Sponsorship of grants
  • Cooperative Agreements

To find out more about how our partner provides services view our partner services below.

View Partner Services