About this Collection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works to protect and preserve wetlands for future generations though various programs.

The National Wildlife Refuge System protects 2.7 million acres of high-quality wetland habitat within most of its 570 refuges spread across the United States. In addition, over 1.7 million acres, primarily in the Prairie Pothole Region, are under permanent wetland easements

The National Fish Passage Program combines expertise in fish migration and biology with specialized engineering experience to assist communities, states, Tribes, and private landowners to remove dams and other barriers and improve fish migration through wetlands and other aquatic ecosystems.   

The National Fish Habitat Partnership  is a comprehensive effort to reverse fish habitat decline. The Partnership is a national investment strategy that leverages regional partnerships to address the nation’s biggest fish habitat challenges. 

The Coastal Program delivers habitat conservation in coastal watersheds through technical assistance and grants on both public and private lands so that wildlife and local communities thrive.

The Migratory Bird Joint Ventures are collaborative, regional partnerships of government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, tribes, and individuals that conserve wetland and other habitat for the benefit of priority bird species, other wildlife, and people. 

The National Wetlands Inventory provides the foundational wetland data necessary for the Service and others to conserve and manage wetland habitats and associated ecosystem benefits.

The International Affairs Program facilitates the designation of U.S. wetlands under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) and reports on their status at the Convention of Parties in coordination with the Department of State.