The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats. The USFWS was established in 1871 and is 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.
The USFWS has a wide range of responsibilities, including:
- Conserving and protecting endangered species
- Managing migratory birds
- Managing fisheries
- Managing wildlife refuges
- Providing scientific information on fish and wildlife
- Enforcing wildlife laws
The USFWS is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global organization that works to conserve nature and reduce the impact of humanity on the environment. The USFWS is a founding member of the IUCN and has been a member since 1948.
The USFWS works closely with the IUCN to conserve species and habitats around the world. The USFWS provides funding and technical assistance to IUCN projects and helps to implement IUCN conservation strategies. The USFWS also participates in IUCN meetings and conferences.
The USFWS’s membership in the IUCN is an important part of its commitment to global conservation. The IUCN provides the USFWS with a forum to work with other countries to conserve species and habitats. The IUCN also provides the USFWS with access to scientific information and expertise that can help it to better manage fish and wildlife resources in the United States.
Here are some of the ways that the USFWS is working to conserve wildlife and habitats:
- The USFWS has a national conservation program that works to protect and recover endangered and threatened species.
- The USFWS manages more than 550 national wildlife refuges, which provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
- The USFWS works with state and local governments to conserve fish and wildlife resources.
- The USFWS enforces wildlife laws to protect species from illegal hunting, fishing, and trade.
- The USFWS provides scientific information on fish and wildlife to help decision-makers make informed choices about conservation.
The USFWS is committed to conserving fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of all Americans. The agency’s work is essential to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature.
