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

Three red fish in leaves are seasoned for cooking
Get Involved
Fishing Pono in Hawai驶i: A Call to Honor Nature and Its Gifts
Hawai驶i 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 鈥� 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...

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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