U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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

Photo: Scott Schliebe/USFWS

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall

Rachel Carson once said, “Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective.” These words hold new meaning for us all as we mark the centennial of Rachel’s birth in May of this year and work to create an organization that embodies her visionary approach to conservation. During the past year, the Service has begun to transform itself to respond to the challenges of a new century, and I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to provide ideas and suggestions.

Your thoughts are reflected in the strategic vision, conservation principles and priorities developed by Service leadership to shape our efforts in the future. You can view these fundamental concepts in the Service Employee Pocket Guide http://www.fws.gov/info/pocketguide/fwsfundamentals.htm.

Our vision, principles and priorities define what this agency will be recognized for in coming years and are the foundations upon which our reputation and credibility will be based. It is my hope that they will remind us all—those with a single day on the job, as well as old timers like me—why we joined the Service and inspire us to work across programs as “One Service” to benefit the resource.