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

Two orange-black butterflies with black and white spots sit on a purple flower
Our Partners
National Guard protects last eastern population of rare butterfly
One of the busiest National Guard Training Centers in the U.S. is the only place where the eastern regal fritillary butterfly is still found. It’s not a coincidence.
wetland with blue sky and white clouds
Land Management
Continued Decline of Wetlands Documented in New U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report
A new report released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reveals wetlands – 95 percent of which are freshwater — covered less than 6 percent of the lower 48 states as of 2019 – which is half the area they covered since the 1780s. The report also identifies that loss rates have increased by 50...
A wind turbine in the ocean
Migratory Species
Where do birds go offshore? The answers may be blowing in the wind
The Service's growing collaboration with offshore-wind companies helps biologists uncover new information about offshore movements of birds, bats and even butterflies.
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...
Rachel Carson sitting on mountain cliff
Climate Change
Rachel Carson: Would-be climate champion
Famous for warning the world about pesticides in "Silent Spring," Rachel Carson was aware of rising sea levels and changing climates. She planned to address these issues in another book but died of cancer before she could.

You may also want to...

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