Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

What's going on at FWS

With more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges, 70 national fish hatcheries, numerous regional and field offices across the country and thousands of active conservation projects, the nearly 8,000 employees of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have a lot going on. Here are a few of the latest news stories from across the Service...

sun rises over water and prairie plants on a marsh
Recreation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes New Public Access to Hunting and Fishing in National Wildlife Refuge System
Continuing the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the finalization of 52 new distinct hunting and sport fishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres nationwide in the National Wildlife...
Bison and elk graze on snow-patched grassland
Wildlife Management
Interior Department Strengthens Conservation of American Bison
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources recently signed a new agreement to strengthen cooperation and coordination for the conservation of the American bison...
A mountain with grasslands and a wetland at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge during sunset
Habitat Restoration
Interior Department Delivers $46 Million for Klamath Basin Restoration
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced nearly $46 million in investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for ecosystem restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin water-related challenges...
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...
Northern long-eared bat roosting
Endangered Species Act
Conservation and Cooperation
The recent reclassification of the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act and the proposed listing of the tricolored bat presented U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff with a novel and immense task: Identify conservation actions that benefit bats and people at a massive scale –...
a close up of a riparian woodrat's face, with its body held in a pillowcase
Wildlife Wonders
Riparian Woodrats Found After 8 Year Absence
After having no sightings since 2017, several riparian woodrats were found in cage traps set by Service and partner biologists doing a health survey of riparian brush rabbits.

Our Focus

The history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be traced back to 1871. We are the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust for people today and future generations. Here are just a few of our focus areas...

What We Do For You

If you’re looking for places to experience nature; interested in partnering with us; seeking technical advice, permits, grants, data or scientific research; want to know more about today’s conservation challenges; looking for ways on how you can get involved and make a difference -- the Service has a lot to offer and more…

Visit Us - Our Locations

With more than 560 national wildlife refuges, dozens of national fish hatcheries and more than 100 field offices, there are numerous great U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service locations to visit.