Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

What's going on at FWS

With more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges, 70 national fish hatcheries, numerous regional and field offices across the country and thousands of active conservation projects, the nearly 8,000 employees of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have a lot going on. Here are a few of the latest news stories from across the Service...

dozen caribou females and their calves on tundra with mountains in the distance
Wildlife Management
Administration Initiatives Prioritized in President’s $4 Billion FY 2025 Budget Request
The Biden-Harris administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, including a proposed $1.9 billion in current appropriations, to fund the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The budget funds the Service’s resource management and conservation programs and supports the...
An image of a Florida Panther resting on the ground.
Wildlife Management
Interior Department Establishes Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area
The Department of the Interior today announced the establishment of the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area in southwest Florida as the 571st and newest unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The new four-million-acre conservation area...
Biologist holding an adult lake trout
Wildlife Crime
Keeping native fish on the menu in Michigan
If you’ve visited Wisconsin, Michigan or the other states that touch Lake Michigan, you’ve likely enjoyed a meal of lake trout, walleye or whitefish. Did you know that a team of biologists likely helped make that meal possible? Learn more about how we shut down the illegal harvest and sale of these...
A wolf technician with the Mexican wolf recovery program carries a wolf in from a helicopter.
Endangered Species Act
Mexican Wolf Population Grows for Eighth Consecutive Year
The wild population of Mexican wolves saw another year of growth in 2023, according to the results of the annual survey. The 2023 population census revealed a minimum of 257 Mexican wolves distributed across Arizona and New Mexico. This increase marks the eighth consecutive year of population...
Yellow prairie coneflowers in a lush green field at sunset
New projects begin in midwest to safeguard seeds and clean-up contaminants
It has been said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When it comes to habitat restoration, not only does it take quality native seeds and know-how, it takes a vision. We know that making a future full of native grasses, functional wetlands and the wildlife that call the midwest...
Salt marsh with stream
Habitat Restoration
Saving the Salt Marsh
The South Atlantic's iconic salt marshes are disappearing. A slew of federal, state, and nonprofit partners are trying to reverse the climate-fueled trend.

Our Focus

The history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be traced back to 1871. We are the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust for people today and future generations. Here are just a few of our focus areas...

What We Do For You

If you’re looking for places to experience nature; interested in partnering with us; seeking technical advice, permits, grants, data or scientific research; want to know more about today’s conservation challenges; looking for ways on how you can get involved and make a difference -- the Service has a lot to offer and more…

Visit Us - Our Locations

With more than 560 national wildlife refuges, dozens of national fish hatcheries and more than 100 field offices, there are numerous great U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service locations to visit.