Serving Florida by conserving our most imperiled species and working with others to conserve plants, fish, and wildlife.
Doing a deeper dive on endangered species policy, planning and species?

About Us

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the nation's wildlife management and conservation agency. The Florida Ecological Services Office is the primary Service office serving the state of Florida on matters of federal threatened and endangered species and habitat conservation, including supporting the conservation of private lands; and working with federal agencies and other partners to address fish, plant, and wildlife impacts resulting from their actions. The Florida Ecological Services Office is headquartered in Gainesville, with branch offices in Panama city, Jacksonville, and Vero Beach to better serve those areas of the state.

What We Do

Across Florida, we carry out the Service’s mission by:

  • Conserving imperiled species.
  • Helping federal agencies identify and address negative plant, fish, and wildlife impacts from projects they fund or authorize.
  • Conversing with the American public about wildlife conservation via social media, educational programs, public hearings, and other forms of public interaction.

Our Organization

A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...

Our Species

The most current information on Federally-listed species found in the Florida Ecological Services Office area please search the Service's 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
).  

Use IPaC to identify your project location and receive an official species list (pursuant to 50 CFR 402.12) of T&E species that should be considered when evaluating the potential impacts of a project.

Projects and Research

Working with others is at the core of our operations. We develop many conservation projects across Florida with federal, state, and local agencies, industry and private groups, and individuals. Whether it is Everglades and coastal restorations, project planning, working with landowners, or conservation at multiple military facilities, among others, effective partnering delivers results. Learn more about our efforts currently underway.

Our Library

Four sea turtles bask on a beach in the sun. A rainbow is in the sky behind them.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries are holding public meetings and hearings about the proposed critical habitat for green sea turtles. The meetings will include presentations, a Q&A session, followed by a public hearing for formal verbal testimony. Participants must register...
A sand skink displays a light tan color with spotting on its scales and a lateral strip on the snout. Its body shape is slender with reduced limbs. strip on the snout.
The sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which protects them from harm. If you’re planning a project that might affect these species, you can legally do so, but only after talking to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Green sea turtle, or honu, rests on the white sand of Midway Atoll, with clear waves in the background.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announce proposals to designate areas of critical habitat for the green sea turtle.
A green sea turtle swims along the bottom of the reef.
Learn about the proposed critical habitat for the green sea turtle.
A Florida Keys mole skink is shown from above on sand. His back is brown with a pinkish red tail.
Browse our library for maps and information about the Florida Keys mole skink proposed listing and critical habitat designation.
A Key ring-necked snake is curled on an orange fall leaf. It is a small, black on top with bright yellow, orange and red markings on the belly.
Browse our library for maps and information about the proposed listing and critical habitat designation of the Key ring-necked snake.
An adult rim rock crowned snake is curled around limestone rocks and dirt on the ground in Miami, Florida. Its head is brownish black with a red-brown back and tan belly.
Browse our library for maps and information about the rim rock crowned snake proposed listing and critical habitat designation.
A Florida bonneted bat rests on a tree trunk.
Browse our library for maps and information about the Florida bonneted bat.
A Miami tiger beetle stands on a rock.
Browse our library for maps and information about the Miami tiger beetle critical habitat designation.
Cedar Key mole skink in sand
Supporting material for the proposed listing and critical habitat of the Cedar Key mole skink. This collection includes the link to the Species Status Assessment report and the link to the coordinates/plot points from which critical habitat maps are generated.

Get Involved

A fundamental tenet in our approach to conservation is engagement with our community – from private landowners wanting to improve endangered species habitat on their land to non-profits doing on-the-ground work.

Location and Contact Information