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...

Three red fish in leaves are seasoned for cooking
Get Involved
Fishing Pono in Hawaiʻi: A Call to Honor Nature and Its Gifts
Hawaiʻi is a space where culture, nature, and sustainability are woven together. At the heart of this connection is the ancient Hawaiian concept of living pono — a word that translates to righteous or proper. In the context of fishing, pono is a way of life that speaks to a deep responsibility to...
Man holds fly rod and net as he catches a trout.
History and Culture
Casting a Conservation Legacy 75 Years of the Sport Fish Restoration Act
This year, the Sport Fish Restoration Act turns 75. This milestone marks three-quarters of a century ensuring that sport fish populations and aquatic habitats are healthy, sustainable, and accessible for all. No other funding method has had the same longevity, consistency, and significance for...
Renovation mock-up shows an example of the large, updated aquariums being built at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.
Wildlife Management
A New Era for Aquatic Conservation and Education at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens, Texas, is a hub of aquatic education, fish production, and conservation in the Lone Star State. Since opening in 1996, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facility has drawn over 1.1 million visitors, offering an in-depth look at the...
Yellow marsh marigold in bloom
Highlighting spring ephemerals
Spring ephemerals are woodland wildflowers that develop early each spring, quickly bloom then produce seed. These plants play an important role in the ecosystem, providing early food for pollinators and improving soil health. We invite you to learn more about a few of these unique plants. Watch for...
Biological Science Technician Paul Boynton holding an adult Lake Trout
Science and Technology
Great Lakes - Lake Trout and Cisco
In the cold blue depths of Lake Erie, where so many questions have gone unanswered for so long, lake trout and cisco work begins with a simple signal: one fish, one ping, one clue at a time.
A scenic photo of a swamp in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge on a clear day.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the National Wetlands Inventory
Wetlands contribute to the health, safety, and prosperity of communities by supplying clean water, protecting people and infrastructure from floods and storms, and providing opportunities for recreation including birding, hunting, fishing, and boating. Wetlands have long been central to the mission...

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.