General Info

Founded in 1871, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the conservation, protection, management and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats. It is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior. A decentralized organization with regional and field offices nationwide, the organization manages National Wildlife Refuge System comprising several National Wildlife Refuges and numerous wetlands and other special management areas. Additionally, it operates national fish hatcheries, fishery resource offices and 86 ecological services field stations under its Fisheries program. Some of the organization's other functions include enforcing federal wildlife laws, protecting endangered species, managing migratory birds and assisting foreign governments with international conservation efforts.