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...

person wears a necklace of bands and holds ducks in hands
Migratory Species
Banding Together
Ask a waterfowl hunter what a bird band means to them. You might be surprised to know that waterfowl hunters treasure the bands they collect from their harvest, as well as the information they learn when they report the band. These same bands are also crucial for scientists to track populations,...
Two monarch butterflies sip nectar from a blooming blazing star plant
Our Partners
Promoting quality habitat on private lands
We are pleased to announce a 10-year partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to accomplish shared goals in management of grassland and upland habitats and to promote workforce development, education and outreach that support mutual conservation goals.
Wetland with birds in low light
Land Management
Service Seeks Public Input to Improve Access to Federal Lands
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to identify Service-managed lands where people would most like to see new or improved public recreation access. This effort continues the Service’s goal to expand public access to federal lands and ensure that everyone has access to the...
Closeup of a common murre on a ledge
Climate Change
Four million murres missing
When Alaska's common murre colonies fell silent in 2015, scientists knew something was wrong. New research from Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge reveals the devastating impact of a severe marine heatwave: approximately 4 million common murres—half of Alaska's population—starved to death,...
Male monarch butterfly on rabbitbrush
Endangered Species Act
Monarch Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing protection for one of the nation’s most beloved species, the monarch butterfly, and is encouraging the public to be part of its recovery. The Service is seeking public input on a proposal to list the species as threatened with species-specific...
a small stream flows through a lush and wooded area
Secretary Haaland Establishes Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams Friday joined partners and community members to celebrate the establishment of Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge as the 573rd and newest unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

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.