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

Troutfest 2025
Our Partners
Troutfest 2025
The Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery participated in the Troutfest 2025 in downtown Blue Ridge Georgia.
waves back and blue
Recreation
Suches Outdoor Adventure
The Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery stocked 250 rainbow trout for the Suches Outdoor Adventure held behind Woody Gap School in Suches Georgia.
a low expanse of green plants with ditches, a berm, and culvert
Habitat Restoration
Cranberry bog restoration builds resilience
On Nantucket Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supported restoration of a cranberry bog back to a natural wetland that can accommodate changing conditions.
Family poses for tree planting at Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Get Involved
Volunteers, an Earth Day Celebration, and a Little Snow
37 hardy volunteers braved an unexpected snowstorm to celebrate Earth Day and plant over 75 trees and shrubs at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Trash Cleanup Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Get Involved
Volunteers Spruce up the Swamp
The day-to-day volunteer program at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is nearly 200 volunteers strong. Those volunteers enhance the visitor experience through daily tasks and at special programs and events. In celebration of Earth Day and National Volunteer Week, volunteers spent two days...
Kids petting snake
For Parents and Educators
From Seeds to Trees: Earth Day Blooms at Wolf Creek
Many celebrated the planet with hands-on fun and outdoor adventure! Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery's Earth Day event brought families together with free trees, wildlife exhibits, kids' activities, and educational booths—including live birds, archery, spinning demos, and even stream critters!

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.