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.

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

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.

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

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

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. 

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.

Latest Stories About Our Partners

A construction site in the forest with a deep dirt pit with corrugated sheeting and workers wearing safety vests and hard hats. Heavy equipment and trees in the background.
Habitat Restoration
Coldwater Connection Campaign Clearing Way for Fish
Sometimes, clearing a barrier to fish passage is a straight-forward issue: Remove a poorly designed or crumbling culvert, install a smartly designed new one, and many miles of access to cold, clear water are opened. On Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, it’s not that simple. Several groups came...
Curved cement infrastructure with green trees and a lake in distance
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge invests in major upgrade for public safety
Safety is always top of mind at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – for visitors, staff and our concessionaires who operate public services within the refuge. To address structural deficiencies and improve functionality, we are conducting a dam safety modification study of Little Grassy Lake...
The Research Vessel Connecticut, a 90' steel blue and white ship with a tall mast and various antennas, is traveling through the water with no land in sight. The horizon stretches out far in the distance. The sky is blue, with white clouds.
Science and Technology
Exploring the Atlantic’s only marine monument
A research expedition to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument furthers understanding of ocean life
a design rendering showing students walking among trees and green spaces
Our Partners
Grant grows green schoolyards in Philadelphia
Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will transform asphalt schoolyards in Philadelphia into learning environments that mitigate climate change’s impacts.
4 men holding striped bass on a boat
Our People
Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Hosts 11th Annual Wounded Warrior Fishing Event
Thanks to several local fishing guides, Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc., and many sponsors, Wolf Creek NFH was able to host the 11th Annual Wounded Warrior Fishing Derby.
Booths all set up at the Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
Recreation
2024 Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery hosted the annual Hatchery Outdoor Adventure at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery on September 7, 2024. The weather was perfect and the event hosted almost 300 kids!

Partnership Services

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.