Our vision is to collaboratively foster vibrant, healthy, abundant and self-sustaining resources within the Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain by promoting nature based solutions. Congress has entrusted the Service to conserve and protect federal trust resources for the public's use and benefit. Our role in conserving resources is mandated under authorities of the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and other laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.

Latest News

A woodpecker perched on a tree with a bug in its mouth.
Endangered Species Act
Downlisting of Red-cockaded Woodpecker from Endangered to Threatened
The Department of the Interior today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is downlisting the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. This milestone is the result of five decades of collaborative conservation efforts between the...
Snail crawling up a vertical rock face
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conducts Five-Year Status Reviews of 59 Southeastern Species
As part of the process mandated by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct five-year status reviews of 59 endangered or threatened fish, wildlife, and plants. 
A striped fish, Roanoke logperch, swims along a rocky stream.
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to delist Roanoke logperch
Based on a review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined that the Roanoke logperch, a large freshwater darter, is no longer at risk of extinction. The Service is proposing to remove the fish from the endangered species list.
snail underwater
A Magnificent Return
LIVE! IN THE WILD! It’s the amazing...the incredible...the magnificent ramshorn (Planorbella magnifica)! No, we’re not in a Las Vegas magic show. We’re in a pond in Brunswick County, North Carolina, where magnificent ramshorn snails were recently released into the wild for the first time.
Group of manatees resting in the warm, clear, blue water of Three Sisters Springs
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Findings on Two West Indian Manatee Petitions
ATLANTA, Ga. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed two 90-day findings on Endangered Species Act petitions to uplist the West Indian manatee and the Puerto Rican population of the Antillean manatee. Based on the Service’s review, both petitions present substantial scientific or...
palm of a hand extended holding about 16 snail shells
Endangered Species Act
Service Finalizes Listing of Magnificent Ramshorn Snail
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized regulations under the Endangered Species Act to protect the magnificent ramshorn snail from extinction.
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About Us

Two men flip through pages as they stand in front of a table. One is wearing a uniform.
Image Details
Joe Madison explains plans at an outreach event.

Our People

Our greatest asset is proximity to the natural resources of interest and partnerships with others in the local conservation community. 

Our Work Area

We cover North Carolina's easternmost 57 counties with staff living in Raleigh, Southern Pines and Manteo, within the Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain ecoregions of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

Helping North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges

We assist the Fish and Wildlife Refuge System personnel, who manage 400,000 acres of habitat that sustain rare plants and animals that live and depend on 11 wildlife refuges located in eastern North Carolina.

What We Do

A plastic bag is partially filled with water and about eight small fish. The bag blocks view of the person that is holding up the bag.
Image Details
Cape Fear shiner, endemic endangered minnow of North Carolina.

Our Services

We provide national leadership in the conservation of coastal areas and wetlands; restoration of natural resources injured by hazardous substances; environmental reviews of federal projects; listing and recovery candidate, threatened, and endangered species; and management of decision support and mapping tools.

Our Laws and Regulations

We are responsible for implementing numerous laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Federal Power Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Sikes Act.

Services
Mojave desert tortoise
Habitat Conservation Plans

Since two-thirds of federally listed species have at least some habitat on private land, and some species have most of their remaining habitat on private land, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed an array of tools and incentives to protect the...

Service
Consultation and Technical Assistance
Permits
Business Owner/Commercial Business
Government or Government Representative - Local Government
Government or Government Representative - State Government
Monarch butterfly sitting on flower
Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances

NOTE: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) finalized new Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 10(a) implementing regulations, which became effective on May 13, 2024. The changes simplify section 10(a)(1)(A) by combining Candidate Conservation...

Service
Consultation and Technical Assistance
Species Management
Landowner - Commercial
Landowner - Individual
Private Land Owners/Managers
Public Land Manager
Butterfly rests on tall flowering plant.
ESA Section 7 Consultation
ESA Section 7 Consultation 

Section 7 Consultation is the process that federal agencies must use to ensure they are not harming listed species or their habitat. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to consult with us on actions that they:

...
Service
Consultation and Technical Assistance

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

Projects and Research

still water in a shallow stream with logs and vegetation over the stream
Image Details
Carolina madtom habitat in the Tar River Watershed in Franklin County North Carolina. Photo by Lilibeth Serrano.

Through a broad suite of public and private partners, we provide technical assistance and leverage funding for conservation of threatened and endangered species as well as candidate and other at-risk species. We work di

rectly with other non profit organizations that are motivated to conserve our natural resources. We partner with other federal agencies and programs, as well as the American public to fund research and restoration projects that helps preserve our nation's biological resources.

Our Library

Looking for a specific document? Check out our Library Collections.

Resources for those seeking more information.

2017 Manatee Guidelines for North Carolina
Name
2017 Manatee Guidelines for North Carolina

Guidelines for avoiding impacts to the West Indian manatee. Precautionary Measures for Construction Activities in North Carolina Waters.

PDF

Location and Contact Information