A satalite image of Hurricane Image from International Space Station
Hurricane Ian Alert

Hurricane Ian will make landfall in Southwest Florida with winds near Category 5. The National Weather Service issued an extreme wind warning in areas of Southwest Florida, including Cape Coral and Fort Meyers, Florida. Ian is projected to make its way toward Orlando, Florida Wednesday evening and then head northward. 

The Service will work closely with the response to provide technical assistance as needed. However, if you need Emergency Consultation Exemption Resources, please visit our Emergency Endangered Species Act Consultation Resources Page

The protection of listed species and designated critical habitat is initiated when it would not interfere with the emergency response to protect human life and property. An agency will not stop or delay their emergency response because of this notification. If needed, the agency and the Service will discuss actions to remediate the effects following conclusion of the emergency – the first action is to initiate a response to the emergency and then to determine if there are actions that can be taken to protect or reduce effects to listed species. 

The Southeast Region carries out this mission within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our regional office is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

What We Do

Our Services

Our operations are guided by a Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, and a team of Assistant Regional Directors. Meet our regional leadership.

Across the southeastern United States, we carry out the Service mission by:

  • Protecting and recovering hundreds of southeastern species protected as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act,
  • Gathering the best available scientific and commercial data for protected species to perform recovery actions,
  • Preserving healthy habitats for wildlife and opportunities for public recreation at 131 National Wildlife Refuges,
  • Investigating wildlife crimes such as wildlife trafficking and the illegal shooting of protected species,
  • Producing fish for stocking across southeastern rivers,
  • Conducting research on the health of southeastern habitats,
  • Consulting with state and federal partners on ways to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of people,
  • Permitting certain public and private development activities to ensure they do not jeopardize the continued existence of endangered species,
  • Proactively pursuing opportunities to conserve species at-risk of becoming listed as threatened or endangered,
  • Working with private landowners to restore, improve and protect fish and wildlife habitat on their lands,
  • Distributing over $250 million annually in grants to state conservation agencies, and
  • Communicating and educating the American public about wildlife conservation via social media, educational programs, public hearings, and other forms of outreach.

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
A crocodile suns on a log.
Climate Change
Crocodile vs. Climate
The armored and menacing-looking American crocodile, who lives in south Florida, can’t escape the ravages of a warming world. The federally threatened species suffers from rising temperatures and rising seas. Yet the reptile survives. For now.
Snail with coiled shell under water
Habitat Restoration
Magnificent ramshorn proposed listing and critical habitat
Following a review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to list the magnificent ramshorn snail as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The magnificent ramshorn is an air-breathing snail, historically documented from only...
A wide view of the river with a field of Cahaba lilies.
Recreation
Refuge grows, and blooms, in Alabama
Coal mining left a legacy of habitat destruction and polluted waters. The refuge must be cleaned up before it welcomes legions of outdoor enthusiasts. Today, 20 years after the refuge was created, it has the money, partners, and drive to do just that.
Deer at edge of road with vegetation in the background.
Climate Change
Outrunning Climate Change
If low-lying Florida is the poster child for climate change run amok then the Keys are the troubled siblings struggling against rising seas and saltwater intrusion. But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fighting back.
a freshwater mussel in the palm of a person's hand
Our People
“Musseling” Back from Near Extinction
The Southeast Region is recognizing a team of biologists for their work in recovering the Carolina heelsplitter.
Crossline skippers (Polites origenes) foraging on smooth coneflower
Endangered Species Act
Service Downlists Smooth Coneflower From Endangered to Threatened Under Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reclassifying the smooth coneflower from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service is also finalizing a 4(d) rule that tailors protections and allows greater flexibility for management actions that will benefit the plant. The...
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Our Library

Regional Highlights

An adult bald eagle soars in front of a bright blue sky.
Name
Bald Eagle Monitoring Guidelines-Southeastern US

This step-by-step guidance will help you determine if your new or intermittent activity near an eagle nest, including alternate nests, is likely to take or disturb bald eagles (a potential violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act) and measures that you can adopt to avoid that...

PDF
Sunset over water.
Wildlife, Habitats and Our Changing Climate
In the southeastern United States, changes to the climate are having profound impacts on our nation’s wildlife and habitats. In aquatic environments, evidence is growing that higher water temperatures resulting from climate change are negatively impacting cold- and cool-water fish populations...
Story
A half dozen large silver fish jumping out of the water to a height of six feet.
Invasive carp in Southeastern waters
The spread of four species of large carp—bighead, black, grass, and silver— threatens the Southeast’s renowned aquatic biodiversity and local outdoor economies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its federal and state partners are on the front line fighting Invasive carp in southeastern waters.
Story
Wildlife Management

Projects and Research

Red Wolf Recovery Program

Once common throughout the Eastern and South Central United States, red wolf populations were decimated by the early 20th century as a result of intensive predator control programs and the degradation and alteration of the species’ habitat. When the red wolf was designated endangered in 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated the Red Wolf Recovery Program in an effort to conserve and recover the species.  Visit Red Wolf Recovery

Miami Tiger Beetle

Early in 2014, due to the species’ extreme vulnerability and threats, the Service considered adding it to the candidate list. On December 11, 2014, the Service received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, South Florida Wildlands Association, Tropical Audubon Society and others requesting that the Miami tiger beetle be emergency listed as endangered and that critical habitat be designated under the Act.

In a February 13, 2015, letter to the petitioners, the Service stated that although we determined that emergency listing was not warranted, we would review the petitioned request for listing. Visit Miami Beetle Species Profile.

How you can help

If you are a landowner with land on or near the Miami Rock Ridge in Miami-Dade County, please contact our South Florida Ecological Services Office at the address below or contact Emily Bauer, at 772 562-3909 or emily_bauer@fws.gov to learn more about Miami tiger beetles, pine rockland habitat and what you can do to help protect them.

South Florida Ecological Services Office

Contacts: Chuck Underwood