Our vision is to collaboratively foster vibrant, healthy, abundant and self-sustaining resources within the Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain by promoting nature based solutions. Congress has entrusted the Service to conserve and protect federal trust resources for the public's use and benefit. Our role in conserving resources is mandated under authorities of the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and other laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.

About Us

Joe Madison explains plans at an outreach event.

Our People

Our greatest asset is proximity to the natural resources of interest and partnerships with others in the local conservation community. 

Our Work Area

We cover North Carolina's easternmost 57 counties with staff living in Raleigh, Southern Pines and Manteo, within the Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain ecoregions of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

Helping North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges

We assist the Fish and Wildlife Refuge System personnel, who manage 400,000 acres of habitat that sustain rare plants and animals that live and depend on 11 wildlife refuges located in eastern North Carolina.

What We Do

Cape Fear shiner, endemic endangered minnow of North Carolina.

Our Services

We provide national leadership in the conservation of coastal areas and wetlands; restoration of natural resources injured by hazardous substances; environmental reviews of federal projects; listing and recovery candidate, threatened, and endangered species; and management of decision support and mapping tools.

Our Laws and Regulations

We are responsible for implementing numerous laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Federal Power Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Sikes Act.

Services
Mojave desert tortoise

Since two-thirds of federally listed species have at least some habitat on private land, and some species have most of their remaining habitat on private land, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed an array of tools and incentives to protect the...

Monarch butterfly sitting on flower

NOTE: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) finalized new Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 10(a) implementing regulations, which became effective on May 13, 2024. The changes simplify section 10(a)(1)(A) by combining Candidate Conservation...

Butterfly rests on tall flowering plant.
ESA Section 7 Consultation 

Section 7 Consultation is the process that federal agencies must use to ensure they are not harming listed species or their habitat. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to consult with us on actions that they:

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Our Organization

A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...

Projects and Research

Carolina madtom habitat in the Tar River Watershed in Franklin County North Carolina. Photo by Lilibeth Serrano.

Through a broad suite of public and private partners, we provide technical assistance and leverage funding for conservation of threatened and endangered species as well as candidate and other at-risk species. We work di

rectly with other non profit organizations that are motivated to conserve our natural resources. We partner with other federal agencies and programs, as well as the American public to fund research and restoration projects that helps preserve our nation's biological resources.

Our Library

Looking for a specific document? Check out our Library Collections.

Resources for those seeking more information.

2017 Manatee Guidelines for North Carolina

Guidelines for avoiding impacts to the West Indian manatee. Precautionary Measures for Construction Activities in North Carolina Waters.

Location and Contact Information