Partners are valuable allies to the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and play a vital role in meeting the Service's conservation goals. We team up with private conservation organizations, state and federal agencies and tribes. Together, with the landowner, this collective shares funding, materials, equipment, labor and expertise to meet restoration goals and our conservation mission.

Partnership Categories

Great things happen when partners are matched with the right opportunities. That's why we work with many types of partners at FWS from local businesses and conservation groups to veterans and large industry partners. Here are just a few of the Partner Categories working with FWS today.

Academic Institutions

We frequently partner with academia to further the conservation of and research into the stewardship of many species.

Conservation, Science, and Land Management Organizations

We often partner with non-governmental conservation organizations on conservation projects, whether it's to conserve identified species such as the monarch butterfly or to advise on land acquisition for conservation so that it has the greatest benefit for species.

Economic, Tourism, Retail, and Industry

We partner with these groups to help them conduct their commercial activities in a way that best promotes conservation.

Federal Agencies

We work with other federal agencies to help them meet their legal responsibilities as well as their mission.

Friends Groups

Friends groups are organizations of community members committed to helping national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries meet conservation goals that would otherwise be out of reach. 

View Partnership Categories

Our Partners

Here are just a few of our national partners.  You can view the full list of FWS partners, along with the regions and areas of focus our work together entails.

View Full Partner List

Latest Stories About Our Partners

Rhinoceros auklet floating on water
Habitat Restoration
Trustee Agencies Seek Input on Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan for the 1999 Mystery Oil Spill
The Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have released a draft plan to restore natural resources impacted by an oil spill that occurred off the coasts of Oregon and Washington in 1999.
An aerial view of a river with a structure spanning across it. People are in the river with nets, rounding up fish.
Habitat Restoration
Salmon River Restoration for Chinook and Sockeye Recovery Efforts
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lower Snake River Compensation Plan program will implement an in-river project immediately downstream of the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery in the summer of 2024 that benefits both Chinook and sockeye salmon in the Upper Salmon River.
A man with white hair and beard and wearing a Hawai'ian shirt signs a book at the counter of a visitor center store.
History and Culture
37th Annual Summer Lecture Series
On Wednesday nights in July and August, guest speakers take their audience on a journey, exploring special topics in depth. This is the 37th year of the Summer Lecture Series, and the 50th anniversary of the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. History is a big part of this year's...
A green sweat bee on bright pink phlox flower
Get Involved
Buzzworthy: The quest to protect Great Lakes pollinators
The Great Lakes basin is full of native insect pollinators flitting from flower to flower, quietly ensuring the survival of countless other species. Learn more about how we're leading an effort to make sure it stays that way.
Woman demonstrates to students gathered in semi-circle to listen
Our Partners
A Space of Our Own
Bowie State University envisions a renewed approach to forgotten acreage near campus with the help of funding from Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense and community partners.
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout fingerlings are in a clear plastic bag placed on the stream bottom.
Bringing Back Brook Trout
Staff from Erwin National Fish Hatchery assisted the Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and US Forest Service to release southern Appalachian brook trout in a previously unoccupied tributary to Rock Creek.

Partnership Services

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Through our partnerships we are able to expand our capabilities through the inclusion of services in areas such as:

  • Grant opportunities
  • Sponsorship of grants
  • Cooperative Agreements

To find out more about how our partner provides services view our partner services below.

View Partner Services