The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program administers grant programs that distribute millions of dollars annually to state agencies and Tribes to manage fish, wildlife, and habitats, evaluate and enhance species of greatest conservation need, and provide recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, shooting, and boating.
What We Do
Our Projects and Initiatives
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) works with states, insular areas, and the District of Columbia to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, their habitats, and the hunting, sport fishing and recreational boating opportunities they provide. We provide national leadership, oversight and/or administrative support for the following grant programs:
- Wildlife Restoration
- Sport Fish Restoration
- Clean Vessel Act
- Boating Infrastructure
- National Coastal Wetlands Conservation
- State Wildlife Grants
- Tribal Wildlife Grants
- Multistate Conservation
- The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation
Through WSFR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also administers the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize and Advisory Council.
Our Laws and Regulations
We implement laws including the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (popularly known as the Pittman–Robertson Act), and the Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act).
Latest Stories and Topics
Stories
Recreation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced more than $20 million in grant funding to assist states and territories in the construction, renovation and maintenance of marinas and other boating facilities for outdoor recreation. Reauthorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this year’s...
Our Partners
Winter storms and cold weather bring our favorite snowy views, recreational sports and winter wildlife-viewing, but they can also bring power outages, travel delays and dangerous conditions. While we’re quick to blame the wind, snow and ice, did you know that storms aren’t the only cause of power...
Wildlife Management
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced over $1.6 billion in apportionments to support states, commonwealths and territories in their efforts to connect people with nature and conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats. The record-setting funding is supported through excise taxes paid...
Recreation
In the fall of 2022, staff from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program invited nearby college clubs to participate in a free archery program hosted at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. The refuge’s seven-target range offered a great location for participating college...
Climate Change
Moose are an iconic species across North America playing an important role in ecosystem health, indigenous and First Nation cultures, and subsistence hunting. In recent years moose populations have experienced unprecedented impacts in the Northeast due to winter tick infestations that can cause...
Wildlife Management
In early December 2022, I was fortunate to attend a Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow (CLfT) workshop at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. The purpose of the workshop, hosted through the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, was not to turn participants into hunters. Rather the...