We are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people.

We offer a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. And through our work to conserve natural resources, we provide communities with healthier environments, clean water, flood control and a strong economy.

Achieving Our Mission

Learn about our priorities, statutory authority and functions. 

History of Fish and Wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior and the nation鈥檚 oldest conservation agency. Our origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study why the nation鈥檚 food fishes were decreasing and recommend ways to reverse that decline.

Though the name of our agency has changed multiple times over the years, what endures is the collective dedication of Service employees to face the conservation challenges of their day鈥�and now, our day鈥�with ingenuity, integrity and hard work. Fortunately, our history shows that we鈥檝e always been up to the challenge.

Our Locations

Latest Stories

person waterfowl hunting by a wetland at sunrise
Wildlife Management
Voluntary Lead-free Ammunition Incentive Program for 2025-2026 Hunting Season
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extending the Voluntary Lead-Free Hunting Ammunition Incentive Program for the 2025-2026 hunting season in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The decision follows a successful pilot program and survey results indicating that hunters are more likely to use...
timber rattlesnake curled up in dead leaves
History and Culture
Don鈥檛 Tread on Me
Before the bald eagle soared onto official seals, another creature had already coiled its way around the American imagination. It didn鈥檛 fly. It rattled.
Deer with antlers pauses in tall, dry grass and looks towards camera.
Endangered Species Act
Columbian White-tailed Deer: A Conservation Comeback in the Pacific Northwest
Once on the brink of extinction, the Columbian white-tailed deer is one step closer to a remarkable recovery in the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed a 5-year status review for the Columbia River population of this unique subspecies and found that it has met the...
The Rappahannock river from a uphill vantage point. Thick vegetation grows between the camera and the water.
Land Management
Restoring tribal stewardship
In partnership with the Service, The Conservation Fund, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, members of the Rappahannock Tribe are expanding opportunities to connect with their ancestors.
Mr. Snake, a Louisiana pinesnake that helps the U.S. Forest Service with education and outreach, smells with his tounge July 11, 2022.
Saving the Louisiana Pinesnake
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has long been recognized for its innovative conservation work, much of which is rooted in strong partnerships.鈥疶hese collaborations are so embedded in the fabric of the agency that they are part of the Service鈥檚 mission, 鈥�... working with others to conserve,...
a sillhouette of a person kayak fishing while floating on a large body of water. The sun sets behind them and the sky is colored blue and yellow
Get Involved
Interior Expands Hunting and Fishing Access at Refuges and Hatcheries
WASHINGTON 鈥� The Department of the Interior today announced 42 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities across more than 87,000 acres within the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This final update more than triples...

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See Where Your Tax Dollars Go 

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service develops an annual budget justification which defines our goals, objectives, and the funding necessary to accomplish them. Once approved, funds are allocated to programs and regions, and monitored to ensure those funds are used as mandated by Congress.

View Our Budget

Do Business With Us

The mission of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In support of the mission, the FWS procures goods and services that include: land rehabilitation; information technology resources; construction projects; professional and nonprofessional services; supplies; and environmental studies. We look forward to working with qualified, capable contractors, including small businesses.

Learn About Contracting

Work With Us

The range of career options available in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is as wide as it is rewarding. A career with us might be just what you鈥檙e looking for if you鈥檙e passionate about supporting our mission and science, water quality, nature, air quality, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, native plants, or education. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work.  

Browse Current Job Opportunities