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 we are the world’s first and oldest conservation agency. Our origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study why the nation’s 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—and now, our day—with ingenuity, integrity and hard work. Fortunately, our history shows that we’ve always been up to the challenge.
Our Organization
Our Locations
Latest Stories
One of our top priorities is working together with those who have stewarded the country’s lands and wildlife since time immemorial. Native American Tribes have long dedicated themselves to management and conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Read about a few of the projects were we...
Following a review of the best available scientific information, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined the Dixie Valley toad is at risk of extinction and is listing the species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, continuing the protections applied to the toad in the...
Ventura, Calif. - Two plants that live on California’s Channel Islands and nowhere else on earth – the Santa Cruz Island dudleya and island bedstraw – have reached recovery thanks to Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to remove the...
The bat, listed as threatened in 2015, now faces extinction due to the rangewide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting hibernating bats across North America. The rule takes effect on January 30, 2023. The growing extinction crisis highlights the importance of the Endangered...
After working around the clock for two weeks, the Biden-Harris administration announced it has forged critical agreements to ensure legal, traceable and biologically sustainable international trade of wild animals and plants.
Who helps prepare your holiday meals? Do they have wings, antennae and six legs? If you’re eating apple pie, cranberry sauce and other common dishes, they do! By helping plants reproduce, bees and other pollinators make our special dinners possible. Meet a few of these busy bees in this article.
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Our new website is designed for you – the farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who use NRCS conservation programs, and our partners who help us deliver the conservation mission.
Featured News
Our Priorities
Equity, Justice and Equal Opportunity
Since NRCS’ establishment, unfortunately, underserved communities and individuals have experienced significant barriers to equity, equality, and justice in agency programs and policies. NRCS is committed to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for agency employees and those we serve.
REVIEWING AND MODIFYING
Programs, Practices and Policies to address barriers
Prioritized
Funding for Underserved Producers in awarding project recipients
CREATED
Equity Division, a first-ever for NRCS
Our Priorities
Addressing Climate Change
Climate change presents real threats to U.S. agricultural production, forest resources, and rural economies. As the nation’s private lands conservation agency, NRCS plays an important role in helping the nation address climate change.
Invested
$38 million
in new Cover Crop Initiative in 2022
Provided
$197 million
to fund 41 partner-led in 2022, with emphasis on climate-smart agriculture
Investing
$40 million
in grants in 2022 to fund climate-smart practices
Our Priorities
Supporting Urban Ag and Innovative Production
NRCS is committed to working with farms of all sizes and in all locations, including those in urban areas. NRCS provides with urban producers with conservation assistance, and works with other USDA agencies to support urban farms in providing access to healthy local food, jobs, and green space.
LEADING
USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
PROVIDED
$31 million
in grants and cooperative agreements for urban agriculture
REINVIGORATING
through the People's Garden program to benefit local communities
Our Priorities
Building Partnerships
NRCS coordinates with other federal agencies, states, local governments, colleges and universities, and nonprofit groups. As partners in conservation, these groups share their unique areas of expertise and conservation work to put more conservation on the land.
SUPPORTING
Partnerships
through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
INVESTING IN
Equity
Conservation Cooperative Agreements
PARTNERING
with the US Forest Service to address wildfire risk, resiliency