TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Topics | Sections |
| OVERVIEW, MISSION, PURPOSE, AND VISION | 1.1 What is the purpose of this chapter? 1.2 What are the mission, purpose, and vision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? |
| AUTHORITY AND HISTORY | 1.3 When and by what authority was the Service created? 1.4 What is the history that led up to the creation of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, which later became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? |
| OBJECTIVES, FUNCTIONS, AND VALUES | 1.5 What are the Service’s overall objectives? 1.6 What functions do employees perform and what values guide them as they work to achieve the Service’s mission, purpose, and vision? 1.7 Where can employees find out more about the Service’s organization and offices? |
OVERVIEW, MISSION, PURPOSE, AND VISION
1.1 What is the purpose of this chapter? This chapter:
A. Describes the mission, purpose, vision, functions, and values of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service);
B. Provides information about how and when the Service was created; and
C. References other documents where employees can learn more about the Service’s history, organization, and functions.
1.2 What are the mission, purpose, and vision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
A. Mission. The Service’s mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
B. Purpose. The Service’s purpose is to protect the natural world so current and future generations can live with, live from, and find awe in lands, waters, and wildlife.
C. Vision. The Service envisions a future where people and nature thrive in an interconnected way and where every community feels part of and committed to the natural world around us.
AUTHORITY AND HISTORY
1.3 When and by what authority was the Service created?
A. Creation and authority. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife was created in the Department of the Interior on November 6, 1956, by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (70 Stat. 1119). That Act was amended on July 1, 1974, by Public Law 93-271 (88 Stat. 92) to, among other purposes, abolish the position of Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and designate the Bureau as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
B. Director’s authority. The authority of the Service Director, as delegated by the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, is established in Part 242 of the Departmental Manual (DM).
1.4 What is the history that led up to the creation of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, which later became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? See 029 FW 1, History of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for historical information about the beginnings and development of the Service. That chapter describes how, since 1871, the Service and its predecessor agencies have been at the forefront of American fish and wildlife conservation.
OBJECTIVES, FUNCTIONS, AND VALUES
1.5 What are the Service’s overall objectives? The Service has three high level objectives:
A. To assist in the development and application of an environmental stewardship ethic for our society, based on ecological principles and scientific knowledge of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
B. To guide the conservation, development, and management of the Nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
C. To administer a national program to provide the public opportunities to understand, appreciate, and wisely use fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
1.6 What functions do employees perform and what values guide them as they work to achieve the Service’s mission, purpose, and vision?
A. Functions. In fulfillment of its mission, purpose, vision, and objectives, the Service performs the following functions, among others, often working with partners, through Federal programs relating to migratory birds, endangered species, interjurisdictional fish and marine mammals, and inland sport fisheries:
(1) Acquires, protects, and manages unique ecosystems necessary to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants such as migratory birds, resident species, and endangered species and their habitats through national wildlife refuges, national fish hatcheries, waterfowl production areas, wetland management districts, and similar sites.
(2) Supports the restoration of depleted interjurisdictional fish stocks, the recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species, and the fulfillment of Federal mitigation responsibilities.
(3) Provides protection of fish and wildlife from dislocation or destruction of their habitats; overuse; and industrial, agricultural, and domestic pollutants.
(4) Renders financial and professional technical assistance to States through Federal assistance programs for the conservation and restoration of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
(5) Conducts programs of enforcement, management, and professional technical assistance to other agencies for the protection of endangered species.
(6) Promulgates and enforces regulations for the protection of migratory birds, marine mammals, fish, and other nonendangered wildlife from illegal taking, transportation, or sale within the United States or from foreign countries.
(7) Conducts programs of planning, evaluation, and professional technical assistance to other agencies, States, and Tribes for the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats to benefit human communities.
(8) Conducts programs of interpretation, education, and recreation to foster a stewardship ethic in the American public through high quality fish- and wildlife-oriented experiences.
(9) Develops and delivers training programs through its National Conservation Training Center for Service employees, other Federal agency employees, Tribes, States, and other partners to better prepare individuals to fulfill the mission of the Service and meet their professional objectives relevant to the protection of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
(10) Communicates information essential for public awareness and understanding of the importance of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
B. Values. Service values are how we work with others in support of a workplace culture that is respectful and inclusive of everyone and builds trust and common ground as we work to achieve our mission, purpose, vision, objectives, and functions. Our core values are:
(1) Stewardship. We believe that we achieve conservation through the careful and responsible management of the fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats entrusted to us and by supporting the well-being, safety, and healthy work-life balance of the people behind our mission.
(2) Integrity. We believe that integrity must define our science, our processes, our work, and our collective actions. We are transparent in our decision making and are committed to behaving ethically and honestly, setting high standards for ourselves, and holding each other accountable for our words and actions.
(3) Respect. We believe in building respectful relationships with each other, our partners, and the public we serve. We listen to understand. We believe in the dignity of all people and recognize, appreciate, and effectively use the diverse skills, talents, experiences, and perspectives of everyone who drives our mission forward.
(4) Collaboration. We believe in cooperating and collaborating across teams, Regions, organizations, and cultures. We know that enduring connections, teamwork, and partnerships will allow us to reach our vision and mission. We rely on everyone’s contributions and work together internally and externally to build trust and common ground, produce meaningful outcomes, and achieve our goals.
(5) Innovation. We believe in learning from all disciplines and perspectives, including science, traditional ecological knowledge, and the expertise and experience of our partners and communities. We recognize that learning and adaptation require experimentation. By taking informed risks, we learn from successes and failures alike, allowing us to be innovative in our approach to conserving and restoring the natural world.
1.7 Where can employees find out more about the Service’s organization and offices? Employees can find more information about the Service:
A. At Part 142 of the Departmental Manual (DM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Organization. These DM chapters describe the Service’s organization and provide detailed information about each program’s functions.
B. On the Service’s website. The Service website provides information on programs at Headquarters, offices across the country, and the latest initiatives and goals.