Skip to main content 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

## Utility (Top) navigation

-  About Us   **Forward **Back-  About Us
-  Mission & Vision
-  Leadership
-  Our Organization
-  Our Facilities
-  Regions

-  Laws & Regulations   **Forward **Back-  Laws & Regulations
-  Laws, Agreements & Treaties
-  Hunting Regulations

-  Library   **Forward **Back-  Library
-  Categories
-  Collections

                          -   Home 
                          -   Services   **Forward **Back-   Services 
-   Duck Stamps   **Forward **Back-   Duck Stamps 
-   Buy a Duck Stamp or E-Stamp 
-   Buy a Junior Duck Stamp 

-   Fish Stocking 
-   Importing & Exporting 
-   Consultation & Technical Assistance   **Forward **Back-   Consultation & Technical Assistance 
-   ESA Section 7 Consultation 
-   Habitat Conservation Planning (HCPs) 
-   Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA) 
-   Safe Harbour Agreements (SHA) 
-   Conservation Banking 
-   Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation 
-   Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation 

-   Financial Assistance 
-   Species Management 
-   Investigational New Animal Drugs (INADS) 
-   Permits 
-   Search All Services 
Duck StampsOne of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps.
                          -   Species   **Forward **Back-   Species 
-   Explore Taxonomic Tree 
-   Find a Species 
Interest storyBats: “The Coolest Mammals on Earth”
                          -   Visit Us   **Forward **Back-   Visit Us 
-   Events 
-   Recreation Passes 
-   Outdoor Recreation 
-   Where to Hunt 
-   Where to Fish 
-   Our Locations 
Scenic DrivesTour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges.
                          -   Get Involved   **Forward **Back-   Get Involved 
-   Careers and Internships 
-   Volunteering 
-   Friends Partnerships 
-   Learning Opportunities 
-   Education Programs 
-   Events 
-   Partnerships   **Forward **Back-   Partnerships 
-   Partnership Categories 
-   Partner List 

VolunteerSearch for volunteer opportunities around the country
                          -   Newsroom   **Forward **Back-   Newsroom 
-   Press Releases 
-   Congressional Testimony 
-   Media Contacts 
Wild ThingsNews about wonderful wild things and places
                          -   Initiatives   **Forward **Back-   Initiatives 
-   Combating Wildlife Trafficking 
-   Director's Priorities 
-   Climate Change 
-   Hunting 
-   Fishing 
-   Invasive Species 
-   Pollinators 
-   Protecting Wildlife 
Climate ActionFWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts
                          -   I want to   **Forward **Back-  I Want To
-   Report Wildlife Crime 
-   Do Business with FWS 
-   Volunteer 
-   Find a Job or Internship 
-   Visit a Refuge 
-   Buy a Duck Stamp 
-   Apply for a Permit 
-   Find Funding 
-   Find Training 
Wild workSearch employment opportunities with USFWS

## Search

Search

# Mission and Vision

Image Details

## About Us

-  About Us
-  Mission & Vision
-  FWS Leadership
-  Our Organization
-  Our Facilities
-  Regions

## Our Mission

Image Details

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

## Our Purpose

To protect the natural world so current and future generations can live with, live from, and find awe in lands, waters, and wildlife

## Our Vision

We envision a future where people and nature thrive in an interconnected way and where every community feels part of and committed to the natural world around us. 

## Our Statutory Authority and Functions

Image Details

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with others, is responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people through Federal programs relating to migratory birds, endangered species, interjurisdictional fish and marine mammals, and inland sport fisheries.
                      - Acquires, protects and manages unique ecosystems necessary to sustain fish and wildlife such as migratory birds, resident species and endangered species.
                      - Operates a National Fish Hatchery System in support of the restoration of depleted interjurisdictional fish stocks, the recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species, and the fulfillment of Federal mitigation responsibilities.
                      - Provides protection of fish and wildlife from dislocation or destruction of their habitats, overuse, and industrial, agricultural and domestic pollutants.
                      - Renders financial and professional technical assistance to States through Federal Aid programs for the enhancement and restoration of fish and wildlife resources.
                      - Conducts programs of enforcement, management and professional technical assistance to other agencies for the protection of endangered species.
                      - Promulgates and enforces regulations for the protection of migratory birds, marine mammals, fish and other nonendangered wildlife from illegal taking, transportation or sale within the United States or from foreign countries.
                      - Conducts programs of planning, evaluation, and professional technical assistance to other agencies for the proper use and protection of fish and wildlife habitat that directly benefit the living natural resource and add quality to human life.
                      - Conducts programs of interpretation, education and recreation to foster a stewardship ethic in the American public through high quality fish and wildlife oriented experiences.
                      - Communicates information essential for public awareness and understanding of the importance of fish and wildlife resources, and interprets fish and wildlife changes reflecting environmental degradation that ultimately will affect the welfare of human beings.

## Laws, Agreements, and Treaties

Image Details

As part of our mission, we are charged with enforcing Federal Wildlife Laws and Protecting Endangered Species. Learn more about the U.S. Conservation Laws, Acts, Treaties, Conventions and Agreements

Laws, Agreements, and Treaties

Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

## Footer Menu - Employment

-  Careers & Internships
-  Contracting

## Footer Menu - Site Links

-  Leadership
-  Frequently Asked Questions
-  Contact FWS

## Footer Menu - Legal

-  Accessibility
-  Freedom of Information Act
-  Notices
-  Privacy Policy
-  Disclaimers
-  Information Quality
-  Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

## Footer Menu - External Links

-  DOI
-  USA.GOV

                    -  
                    -  
                    -  
                    -  
                    -  
                    -  

### You are exiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website

You are being directed to 

We do not guarantee that the websites we link to comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. Links also do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
I Understand. Take me there.