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

a sitting kit fox
Endangered Species Act
$4.7M in Grants Given to Support Endangered Species Recovery in California
In 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation issued $4.7 million in grants to several projects that support endangered species recovery in the Central and San Joaquin Valleys. The grants are funded through the Central Valley Project Conservation Program and the Central...
Smiling youngsters use binoculars to look at birds at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Recreation
11 Ways Wildlife Refuges Make Life Better
National wildlife refuges improve the quality of life for millions of Americans by boosting access to outdoor recreation, buffering storms, cleaning our air and water, and conserving wildlife. And that's just for starters.
Two men hold up documents for the camera
Our Partners
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Celebrate Co-stewardship
On September 5, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments for the co-stewardship of the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and other partners pose for the Numana Dam groundbreaking.
Habitat Restoration
Numana Dam Fish Passage Project
On September 13, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service broke ground to commence construction on a fish passage project at Numana Dam in northern Nevada. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Nevada Department of Wildlife and other partners joined the Service...
A tree curves out over the river, with long, serpentine roots clinging to the river bank
Long-abandoned, 'orphaned' wells find champion named BIL
Oil and gas wells are considered “orphaned” when there is no known owner and therefore no party (person, business, landowner...) responsible for their upkeep and maintenance. In this sense, it is like discarded trash on the side of the road: It is a problem; it needs to be cleaned up; but who is...
A group of six women admire the winning duck stamp artwork.
Migratory Species
Montana Artist Chuck Black Wins 2023 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest
After two days of competition, Chuck Black of Belgrade, Montana, emerged as the winner of the 2023 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with an oil painting of a northern pintail.

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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