We are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people.

We offer a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. And through our work to conserve natural resources, we provide communities with healthier environments, clean water, flood control and a strong economy.

Achieving Our Mission

Learn about our priorities, statutory authority and functions. 

History of Fish and Wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior and the nation’s oldest conservation agency. Our origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study why the nation’s food fishes were decreasing and recommend ways to reverse that decline.

Though the name of our agency has changed multiple times over the years, what endures is the collective dedication of Service employees to face the conservation challenges of their dayand now, our daywith ingenuity, integrity and hard work. Fortunately, our history shows that we’ve always been up to the challenge.

Our Locations

Latest Stories

brown, white and black bird stands in shallow water
Habitat Restoration
Beach Restoration Delivers New Nesting Habitat for Snowy Plovers
The snowy plovers of Doran Beach noticed something different about 2020. Where had all the humans gone? Where were the dogs, often off-leash and coming too close? Where was the noise, the vehicles? For the first time in the Doran Regional Park’s 50-year history, the beach was empty. One pair of...
Caribou stand amidst snow in Selawik Refuge. In the background, mountains and a faint treeline are visible.
Migratory Species
Local Knowledge Carries Caribou Forward
As weather changes dramatically in the tundra, partnerships and local knowledge are crucial for preserving the Western Arctic Caribou Herd and the subsistence lifeways which depend on them.
a brown, wooden building on a grassy hill
History and Culture
Cat Point Creek Lodge transferred to the Rappahannock Tribe
A steady drum beat rose under the watchful eyes of native bald eagles, friends and ancestors. For the first time in more than 350 years, the Rappahannock Tribe’s drums sounded over their ancestral capital town.
2 people strapped into pvc/harness cage; both wear helmets
The Dunker: Critical Aviation Lifesaving Training
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service flies in small planes over land and often over water for work. Recently, Director Martha Williams took the Water Ditching and Survival (aka “dunker”) training at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility in Alexandria, Virginia, with Noah Matson,...
California condor soars over a canyon.
Tribal Wildlife Grants Program Support Species of Cultural and Traditional Importance
Since its inception in 2003, the competitive Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program has awarded more than $111.6 million to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native Tribes, providing support for more than 626 conservation projects. These grants benefit a wide range of fish, wildlife,...
Photo of new culvert near sports fields in Springville, Alabama
Our Partners
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work in Alabama
Each year, approximately 2,000 kids and their families use the athletic fields at the Springville sports complex, except when they can’t because storms wash out the fields.  Flooded conditions delay or cancel games, disappoint little league athletes and cause a lot of work and expense for the city’...

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See Where Your Tax Dollars Go 

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service develops an annual budget justification which defines our goals, objectives, and the funding necessary to accomplish them. Once approved, funds are allocated to programs and regions, and monitored to ensure those funds are used as mandated by Congress.

View Our Budget

Do Business With Us

The mission of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In support of the mission, the FWS procures goods and services that include: land rehabilitation; information technology resources; construction projects; professional and nonprofessional services; supplies; and environmental studies. We look forward to working with qualified, capable contractors, including small businesses.

Learn About Contracting

Work With Us

The range of career options available in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is as wide as it is rewarding. A career with us might be just what you’re looking for if you’re passionate about supporting our mission and science, water quality, nature, air quality, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, native plants, or education. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work.  

Browse Current Job Opportunities