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...

A biologist places a juvenile freshwater mussel into a river
Wildlife Wonders
First-Ever Freshwater Mussel Reintroduction in Texas
The San Antonio River Authority and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released freshwater mussels raised by Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery into the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River, marking the first time hatchery-produced freshwater mussels have ever been reintroduced into the wild in Texas.
Bright blue, Big Sandy crayfish resting on a rock.
Endangered Species Act
Threatened species gets head start at hatchery 
Biologists released hatchery-raised Big Sandy crayfish in Virginia for the first time, marking a historical step towards recovery for the federally threatened species.
Underwater picture of an Okaloosa darter.
Our Partners
Eglin Air Force Base named Service’s Military Conservation Partner of the Year
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida, as the 20th Annual Military Conservation Partner Award for its outstanding contributions to natural resource management.
A monarch butterfly crawls on a small whorled milkweed amidst dried grass and shrubs.
Habitat Restoration
Ranch for At-Risk Youth Converts Farmland Back to Desert Wetland
Running down the center from north to south of the fifth largest U.S. state — New Mexico — flows its largest and most important waterway: the Rio Grande. Known as the Rio Bravo to neighboring old Mexico, one might interpret the name, (meaning great or brave) as a testament to the courage the river...
Collared fisher is released into a snowy forest.
Wildlife Management
Fisher Restoration, Management, and Research Supported Through Wildlife Restoration Funds
Pressure from logging and habitat changes for agriculture and development in the late 18th and early 19th century led to the decline of fisher across most of the eastern U.S. The value of fisher fur and their unregulated historic harvest also contributed to population decline. Today, thanks to...
A high school student holding a net over a fish trailer. There are hundreds of people in the background as well as green trees and a blue sky with clouds.
Our Partners
Releasing the 1000th Fish
On May 3, 2024, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration with Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the Palisade High School's Endangered Fish Hatchery marked a very special day. For the fourth consecutive year, students, partners, and the community of Palisade, CO,...

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.