What We Do
Since 1945, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has assisted others in project planning to help protect and restore wildlife. Beginning with water development projects, the Ecological Services program’s responsibilities were later expanded to include reviews of most federal construction projects, endangered species, environmental contaminants and a variety of conservation partnerships and grants. We work with public and private partners to conserve and restore Indiana's endangered species, migratory birds, wetlands and other important fish and wildlife resources. We facilitate federal project review and investigate contaminated sites. To accomplish our mission, we use these programs: Endangered Species, Environmental Contaminants, Project Planning and Partners for Fish and Wildlife.
Management and Conservation
Threatened and Endangered Species
Our responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act include conserving declining species before listing is necessary, working to recover listed species and cooperating with other federal agencies and partners to conserve endangered species. Indiana’s rivers, especially the Tippecanoe River, support one of the country’s most diverse populations of freshwater mussels, including a number of federally threatened and endangered species. The limestone and karst features of southern Indiana make it especially important for hibernating cave bats, such as the endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat.
Environmental Contaminants
Environmental contaminants specialists evaluate the impact of environmental contaminants on fish, wildlife and their supporting ecosystems. We work to prevent, reduce and eliminate the adverse effects of environmental contaminants. We work with others to clean up and restore areas that have been impacted by the release of contaminants. Our environmental contaminants program has produced a number of multimillion dollar habitat restoration projects, including efforts to restore the Grand Calumet River.
Project Planning
Through early and thoughtful planning, we work to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats by providing technical assistance on activities such as Corps of Engineers’ projects and permits, state permits, energy development (transmission lines, hydro and wind power), communication tower construction, transportation and urban development.
Grants and Conservation Planning Assistance
We administer Endangered Species Act grants to provide funding to states, tribes, organizations and individuals for listed species conservation activities.
Wind Energy and Conservation
We provide technical guidance to wind energy companies to site facilities to minimize impacts to bats. We also work with companies to minimize impacts of existing facilities and to encourage long-term conservation efforts.