We administer the Endangered Species Act, working with experts in the scientific community to identify species on the verge of extinction and to build the road to recovery to bring them back. We work with our partners in federal and state agencies, tribes, local governments, the business community, and private citizens, to help protect important habitat, and help increase species' populations and reduce the threats to their survival so that they can be removed from federal protection.

Latest News

Underwater view of a snorkeler's face
Endangered Species Act
Questions and answers about Cumberland moccasinshell, Tennessee clubshell, and Tennessee pigtoe
After conducting a thorough species status review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes placing three freshwater mussels, the Cumberland moccasinshell, Tennessee clubshell, and Tennessee pigtoe, on the federal list of threatened and endangered species. All three mussels are being proposed as...
Underwater view of a snorkeler's face
Endangered Species Act
Service Proposes Listing Three Eastern Freshwater Mussels Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes placing three freshwater mussels, the Cumberland moccasinshell, Tennessee clubshell, and Tennessee pigtoe on the federal list of threatened and endangered species. Each of these species is being proposed for endangered species status.
Cluster of James spiny mussels resting on a blue backdrop
Endangered Species Act
The road to recovering the endangered James spinymussel
After it had disappeared from almost 95% of its historic range, the Service declared the James spinymussel endangered in 1988.  In the upper reaches of the James River watershed in West Virginia and Virginia and in parts of the Dan River watershed in North Carolina near the Virginia border, however...
Rufa red knot feeding along with other shorebirds
Endangered Species Act
Service finalizes recovery plan for threatened rufa red knot
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a recovery plan for the rufa red knot, a subspecies listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Rufa red knot feeding along with other shorebirds
Endangered Species Act
Service announces revised proposed critical habitat for the rufa red knot
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it has revised the proposed critical habitat rule for the rufa red knot. The revised proposal is based on new information received during the first comment period that resulted in the inclusion of additional units of critical habitat and corrections or...
Rufa red knot feeding along with other shorebirds
Endangered Species Act
Rufa red knot revised proposed critical habitat FAQs
Answers to expected questions about the revised proposed critical habitat rule for the rufa red knot
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About Us

The Virginia Ecological Services Office is located in Gloucester, Virginia. We have an office located in Abingdon, Virginia (Southwestern Virginia Ecological Services Office) and two biologists located remotely at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

What We Do

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist in waders standing along the edge of a wide stream works to secure bags of oyster shells on the edge of Newmarket Creek in Hampton, Virginia.
Image Details
USFWS biologist creates a living shoreline by placing bags of oyster shells on the edge of Newmarket Creek in Hampton, VA.

The Virginia Ecological Services Office works with partners to recover threatened and endangered species, investigates the effects and clean-up of contaminants and helps restore polluted habitats, ensures that fish and wildlife resources are considered by agencies during project planning and structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure construction, and partners with private landowners to restore fish and wildlife habitats.

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...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA
Close up of a California condor. Its pink featherless head contrasts with its black feathers.
We provide national leadership in the recovery and conservation of our nation's imperiled plant and animal species, working with experts in the scientific community to identify species on the verge of extinction and to build the road to recovery to bring them back. We work with a range of public...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA
A duck flies over a tundra pond.
We use the best scientific information available to determine whether to add a species to (list) or remove from (delist) the federal lists of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. We also determine whether already listed species should be reclassified from threatened to endangered (uplist...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA
Condor soars over mountain ridge.
We work with partners to conserve the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend, developing and maintaining conservation programs for these species to improve their status to the point that Endangered Species Act protection is no longer necessary for survival. This...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA
Butterfly with orange, brown, and white wings perched perched on a flower head gathering nectar with another butterfly on the backside of the flower head.
We assess the conservation status of species, using the best scientific information available, and identify those that warrant listing as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. A species that we find warrants a proposal to list as endangered or threatened, but listing is...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA
Partners for Fish and Wildlife: Nevada Coordinator Susan Abele Meets with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Member to Conduct a Site Visit at Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land. Since 1987, we have helped more than 30,000 landowners to complete more than 50,...
Program
Falls Church,VA
Wading bird stands in oil damaged marsh.
We provide national leadership in the protection and restoration of fish, wildlife, and habitats that have been threatened or injured by oil discharges, releases of hazardous substances, or other emerging contaminants of concern.
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA

Location and Contact Information