What We Do

Wildlife Health

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors wildlife health and conducts disease surveillance, response and management. Experts help curb the spread of wildlife disease that threatens wildlife, people and domestic animals. Specialists track the health of birds, ungulates (hooved animals such as bison, deer and elk) and other species; they also monitor harmful algal blooms and animal diseases that could jump to humans. Experts provide training and technical assistance, conduct field investigations of disease and facilitate lab testing. They aid in policy development, research support and veterinary controlled drugs acquisition and use.

Inventory and Monitoring

Researchers assess the status and trends of refuge lands, waters, plants and wildlife, along with their responses to management actions. The Natural Resource Program Center coordinates the design, collection, retention and analysis of this scientific data. Rigorous standards ensure that the Refuge System is a key contributor to the larger body of scientific knowledge.

Human Dimensions

Social scientists help refuge managers factor local attitudes and human perspectives into conservation planning to improve the likelihood of good outcomes.

Air Quality

Experts work to ensure that refuge lands and waters meet the standards of the Clean Air Act and other applicable laws on air quality.

Our Programs

A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
Program
Washington,DC
Dozens of white birds flying over a beach partially covered in shrubs.
Geospatial science, data, and technologies are vital components needed to meet the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To paraphrase one of our regional geospatial coordinators, “No major conservation actions happens without geospatial technology, science, and data.” Geographic...
Program
The sun in a crystal clear blue shy over a piece of land jutting into water
Maintaining good air quality is important not only for human health but also for the health of natural resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors air quality in selected sites to minimize harm from human-caused air pollution to wildlife and sensitive wildlife habitat on national...
Program

Our Services

Data Repositories

Publicly available national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge data sets and documents maintained in ServCat include Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Annual Narrative Reports, Water Resource Inventory and Assessment Reports, and geospatial data. You can also view U.S. Geological Survey data releases in Science Base and the federal government’s Open Data dashboards.

Environmental Conservation Online System ( ECOS ECOS
Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) serves a variety of reports related to FWS Threatened and Endangered Species.

Learn more about ECOS )

This gateway website includes conservation plans, species reports, fish health survey database, and wildlife and contaminants mapper.