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

Freshwater mussel shell
Endangered Species Act
Service Protects Longsolid and Round Hickorynut Mussels Under Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists two eastern freshwater mussels as threatened under the Endangered Species Act
Freshwater mussel shell
Endangered Species Act
FAQs - Endangered Species Act Protection for the Longsolid and Round Hickorynut mussels
Questions and answers about Endangered Species Act protections for longsolid and round hickorynut mussels
Northern long-eared bat with white-nose syndrome in a cave
Endangered Species Act
Effective date to reclassify northern long-eared bat as endangered extended
The effective date of the final rule to reclassify the northern long-eared bat from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act is being extended by 60 days, from Jan. 30, 2023, to March 31, 2023. The extension will allow us to finalize conservation tools and guidance to avoid...
river
Sickle Darter Proposed Critical Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate 104 river miles (rmi) in six units in Tennessee and Virginia as critical habitat for the sickle darter. The Service is also announcing the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed critical habitat designation. 
river
Service Seeks Comment on Proposed Critical Habitat for Sickle Darter
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitat in parts of Tennessee and Virginia for the sickle darter, a species proposed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in November 2020. The Service is also announcing the availability of a draft economic...
Swamp Pink
Our Partners
Fort A.P. Hill earns Military Conservation Partner Award
U.S. Army Garrison Fort A.P. Hill has been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for significant conservation achievements on military lands.
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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 60,000 landowners restore more than 7...
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

Our Library

A cave salamander with a bright orange, shiny body with black patches covering much of its body and large eyes peers over the edge of a rock.
Image Details

Whether you are looking for a specific document pertaining to the Section 7 Section 7
Section 7 Consultation The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.

Learn more about Section 7 consultation review process in Virginia, or anything else related to our office, you can find it right here in our library.

Location and Contact Information