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 picture of a roseate tern, and black and white bird on a beach
Habitat Restoration
Plan to restore natural resources in Buzzards Bay targets Ram Island, home to endangered terns.
Federal and state trustee agencies have released the final restoration plan and environmental assessment to restore natural resources in Buzzards Bay impacted by the 2003 Bouchard Barge B-120 oil spill.
Bison and elk graze on a snow-patched field of grass
National Elk Refuge Bison and Elk Management Plan
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is announcing additional opportunities to engage in the development of Updated Bison and Elk Management Plan (Plan) for the National Elk Refuge.
a tiny striped fish laying on a hand
Our Partners
Proactive conservation supports species at risk
By working on declining species early, we have the best chance to help them before they need the regulatory protections of the Endangered Species Act.
Two orange-black butterflies with black and white spots sit on a purple flower
Our Partners
National Guard protects last eastern population of rare butterfly
One of the busiest National Guard Training Centers in the U.S. is the only place where the eastern regal fritillary butterfly is still found. It’s not a coincidence.
Klamath Marsh NWR from the air looking West
Clicking for Rails
What’s a yellow rail, you ask? They are about the size of robin, but skinnier and with short tails; they are stealthy and shy (except when they’re not – read on); they are streaked with dull yellow and dark brown, dappled with white flecks, like water-splashed old grass and the sedge that it...
A wind turbine in the ocean
Migratory Species
Where do birds go offshore? The answers may be blowing in the wind
The Service's growing collaboration with offshore-wind companies helps biologists uncover new information about offshore movements of birds, bats and even butterflies.

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.