The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 150 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System of more than 551 National Wildlife Refuges and thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. Under the Fisheries program we also operate 70 National Fish Hatcheries, 65 fishery resource offices and 86 ecological services field stations.
The vast majority of fish and wildlife habitat is on non-Federal lands. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Partners in Flight, Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, and other partnership activities are the main ways we foster aquatic conservation and assist voluntary habitat conservation and restoration.
The Service employs approximately 9,000 people at facilities across the U.S. The Service is a decentralized organization with a headquarters office in Washington, D.C., with regional and field offices across the country.
Mission
- Enforce federal wildlife laws,
- Protect endangered species,
- Manage migratory birds,
- Restore nationally significant fisheries,
- Conserve and restore wildlife habitat such as wetlands,
- Help foreign governments with their international conservation efforts, and
- Distribute hundreds of millions of dollars, through our Wildlife Sport Fish and Restoration program, in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to State fish and wildlife agencies.
Video: This is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Video: Careers at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
For Kids
Public Downloads
All items are free to view, share, and download.
Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)
When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Download Endangered Species Activities
A-Z Animals Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable and Threatened List
Arctic Marine Food Web
Endangered Animals Word Search
Endangered Species Act 101
Endangered Species Act Basics for the Public
Endangered Species Act Basics Summary
Endangered Species Activity Book and Learning Guide for Kids
Endangered Species Activity Book Parks and Wildlife
Endangered Species Coloring Book 2
Endangered Species Day Coloring and Puzzle Activity Book
Endangered Species Glossary
Endangered Species Vocabulary Crossword
Endangered Species Wikipedia Complete Guide Book
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource
List of National Wildlife Refuges Established for Endangered Species Wikipedia Complete Guide Book
The Loneliest Animals Learning Guide for Kids
U.S. EPA, Endangered Species Coloring Book, Save Our Species
Understand The Major Factors That Cause Animals To Become Rare Learning Guide
Why Save Endangered Species?
Download Fish and Wildlife Activities
Alaska Sport Fishing Guide
Book of Stuff to Do Outside
Do Not Feed Wildlife Poster
Fish and Wildlife News Special Issue on Children and Nature
Fish Identification for Common Fish Species
Fish Identification for Common Fish Species PowerPoint
Fishing A Sport for All Seasons
Fun Animal Facts Word Search
Glossary on Climate Change Wildlife and Wildlands
Guide to Salmon Identification and Fishing
One Planet Lifestyle World Wide Fund eBook
One Planet Lifestyle World Wide Fund eBook Light Version
Publishing Your Own Wildlife Book
Ranger Rick Family Fun Car BINGO
Sea Animals
Teaching Animals and Habitats Lesson Plans
The Sea Searchers Handbook
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Report
Weird and Wonderful Wildlife
What Makes Migration Tough for Fish Activity Worksheets
Wildlife Wallpaper
Download Fish and Wildlife Activity Books
Amazing Animals Activity Book
Chessie A Chesapeake Bay Story and Activity Book
Chessie Returns A Chesapeake Bay Story and Activity Book
Family Fun Wildlife Activity Worksheets
Florida Wildlife Refuge Activity Book
Let's Go Fishing National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book
Ocean Aquarium Activity Book
Paul Watson's Sea Shepherd Kid's Free Coloring and Activities Book
Shorebirds Migratory Superheros A Student Activity Guide
Wildlife Animal Adaptations and Behavior Activity Book
Wildlife Watch Stories Activity
Download Fish and Wildlife Coloring Books
15 Awesome Alaska Fish Coloring Book
Bear Aware Coloring Book
Beatrice the Honeybee Coloring Book
Emily Bluebird Coloring Book
Fish and Wildlife People Mark Trail Coloring Book
Fishing ABC Coloring Book
Fishing ABC Coloring Book In Alaska
Into the Wilderness National Wildlife Refuge System Coloring Book
Into the Wilderness National Wildlife Refuge System Coloring Book in Spanish
National Wildlife Refuge System Coloring Book
National Wildlife Refuge System Coloring Book - Spanish
Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Coloring Book
Perils of Polina Coloring Book
Salmon Lifecycle Coloring Book
Wetlands Coloring Book
Wildlife Coloring Sheets and Connect the Dots Activities
Download World Ocean Day Activities
June 8th
A Watery World Student Lesson Plan Activity Book
Mapping World Plates Student Lesson Plan Activity Book
World Ocean Day Activity Guide
World Ocean Day Word Search Worksheet
World Oceans Activity Worksheets
World Oceans Coral Reefs Student Lesson Plan Activity Book
World Oceans Current Student Lesson Plan Activity Book
World Oceans Location Activity Worksheets
World Oceans Major Bodies of Water Activity Worksheets
World Oceans on Earth Activity Worksheets
Download Videos
Applications for Summer Jobs - Forest Service Youth Conservation Corps
Endangered Species Act 101
Endangered Species Act Basics for the Public
Energy 101 Light Bulbs
Fire Prevention 24-7
Fire Prevention Safety Project
Fire Prevention Two Ways Out
Freshwater Fish Consumption Video
Mercury Fish Consumption Video
National Park Service
Polar Bear Myths and Facts
Roadside Litter
Saltwater Fish Consumption Video
Save the Arctic
Severe Weather
Shellfish Consumption Video
Story of Bottled Water
Tropical Fish Consumption Video
Wilderness
Video Playlist: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
National Wildlife Refuges Through the Lens
Audio described version:...
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/HqRJrh7ipvk
Photographer/filmmaker Ian Shive has traveled from the South Pacific to Florida and from Alaska to New England capturing the natural beauty of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ...lands and waters. “It’s never been anything less than amazing to see the amount of diversity – the species and environments – that these refuges encapsulate,” says Shive. “The National Wildlife Refuge System is one of the great national treasures we have as the American people.” This short video gives you a photographer’s-eye view of that treasure. More: https://www.fws.gov/refuges
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
Living Monuments
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/0etfwMm9q5E
The National...
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/0etfwMm9q5E
The National Wildlife Refuge System includes five marine national monuments. Four are in the Pacific Ocean: Papahānaumokuākea, Pacific Remote Islands, Rose Atoll and Mariana Trench. One is ...in the Atlantic: Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. This film offers a glimpse into how fascinating they are, how fragile they are and how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps conserve them.
More about Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument:
https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov
More about Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/pacific_remote_islands_marine_national_monument
More about Rose Atoll Marine National Monument:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rose_atoll_marine_national_monument
More about Mariana Trench Marine National Monument:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mariana_trench_marine_national_monument
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
The Blue Continent: Journey to Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/JEHGhSsCv4g
Rose Atoll Marine...
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/JEHGhSsCv4g
Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, a part of American Samoa south of the equator, conserves wildlife and marine resources in the Pacific Ocean. Just two tiny islands ...and bordering coral and coralline algal reef, Rose Atoll supports thriving communities of seabirds, more than 200 species of coral, vital green turtle nesting beaches, 200 species of fish, and other wildlife. The monument monitors, restores and protects what is there in keeping with the values of Samoan culture. This short film takes you there. More: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Rose_Atoll
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
Closeness to the Wild
“Hunting and fishing gives me this connection with nature that you...
“Hunting and fishing gives me this connection with nature that you can’t get any other way,” says Dom Watts, a biologist at Alaska’s Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. “It gives you ...this closeness to the wild.”
More about Kenai National Wildlife Refuge:
fws.gov/refuge/kenai
More about fishing on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters: fws.gov/refuges/fishingguide
More about hunting on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands:
fws.gov/refuges/hunting
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
Bayou Sauvage Refuge: In Concert With Nature
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/3uxvVF8O0sI
Bayou Sauvage...
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/3uxvVF8O0sI
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is about 20 miles east of New Orleans’ French Quarter between Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Borgne. “It’s a beautiful thing to commune ...with nature” at the refuge, says Louisiana jazz musician Ronell Johnson. More: fws.gov/refuge/bayou_sauvage
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
Nature’s Home on the Front Range
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/qlggV2Om2kc
The Colorado...
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/qlggV2Om2kc
The Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes three national wildlife within a half-an-hour drive of downtown Denver
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge: fws.gov/refuge/rocky_mountain_arsenal
Rocky Flats ...National Wildlife Refuge: fws.gov/refuge/Rocky_Flats
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge: fws.gov/refuge/two_ponds
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
These Are Your National Wildlife Refuges
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/uDmzQyvG7vE
The National...
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/uDmzQyvG7vE
The National Wildlife Refuge System includes more than 560 national wildlife refuges, at least one in each state and U.S. territory. Founded by President Theodore Roosevelt in ...1903 and administrated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Refuge System is a diverse network of lands and waters dedicated to conserving America’s rich fish and wildlife heritage. More: fws.gov/refuges
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Refuge: “A Little Green Island”
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is about 50 miles...
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is about 50 miles south of downtown Seattle. The centerpiece of the refuge is the 1.5-miles Nisqually Estuary Trail, which includes an ...elevated boardwalk. More: fws.gov/refuge/Billy_Frank_Jr_Nisqually
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019
Reconnect with Outdoor Traditions on a National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled public lands...
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled public lands network built with the help of generations of hunters and anglers called The National Wildlife Refuge System. Thanks ...to these recreational users these places will continue to be the wild support system both people and wildlife need to thrive.
Nearly 400 of the 560+ national wildlife refuges are open to hunting. Hunting has a rich history in the United States and is a valued tradition for many. Hunters promote habitat conservation and share an understanding of its importance with new generations. Visit https://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/.
Prescribed fire at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Fire -- prescribed and carefully managed -- can be a wildlands’ best...
Fire -- prescribed and carefully managed -- can be a wildlands’ best friend. Wildlife officials tout its ecological benefits. Hunters, fishermen and birders laud its cattail-clearing, nutrient-adding attributes. Hydrologists praise ...unimpeded water flows.
Duck Hunting at Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge offers unique waterfowl hunting...
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge offers unique waterfowl hunting opportunities on public lands.
Bottomland Hardwood habitat at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge provides a stop-over location where...
Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge provides a stop-over location where migrating waterfowl can fuel up during their annual migration.
Bald Knob NWR engages in a cooperative farming agreement where a private ...farmer plants corn harvesting 75% of the crop while leaving 25% behind for migrating waterfowl.
National Wildlife Refuges Through the Lens
Audio described version: https://youtu.be/HqRJrh7ipvk
Photographer/filmmaker Ian Shive has traveled from the South Pacific to Florida and from Alaska to New England capturing the natural beauty of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ...lands and waters. “It’s never been anything less than amazing to see the amount of diversity – the species and environments – that these refuges encapsulate,” says Shive. “The National Wildlife Refuge System is one of the great national treasures we have as the American people.” This short video gives you a photographer’s-eye view of that treasure. More: https://www.fws.gov/refuges
Produced by Tandem Stills + Motion in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019