U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The FWS was established in 1871 as the United States Fish Commission. The agency's mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the benefit of the American people.

The FWS has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Managing and protecting national wildlife refuges
• Conducting scientific research on fish and wildlife
• Enforcing federal wildlife laws
• Providing technical assistance to state and local governments
• Educating the public about fish and wildlife

The FWS is a vital part of the United States' conservation efforts. The agency's work helps to ensure that fish, wildlife, and their habitats are protected for future generations.

Here are some of the FWS's most notable achievements:

• Helped to save the bald eagle from extinction
• Protected the Florida panther from extinction
• Restored the American alligator to healthy populations
• Managed the reintroduction of the gray wolf to the western United States
• Protected the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling

The FWS is facing a number of challenges, including:

• The decline of fish and wildlife populations due to habitat loss, climate change, and pollution
• The illegal trade in wildlife
• The spread of invasive species
• The increasing demand for fish and wildlife products

The FWS is working to address these challenges by:

• Conserving and restoring fish and wildlife habitats
• Enforcing federal wildlife laws
• Educating the public about the importance of conservation
• Working with other organizations to address the global challenges facing fish and wildlife

The FWS is committed to conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of the American people. The agency's work is essential to ensuring that these resources are available for future generations.