"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."
Fish And Wildlife Management Assistance;
Who We Are?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance (FWMA) program is comprised of 64 field stations nationwide. These field stations are known by many different names. They include Fishery Resources, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance, Fish and Wildlife Offices, River Coordinators, and Marine Mammals Management.
The Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance program fills a vital role in restoring and maintaining the health of the Nation’s fish and wildlife resources. The program functions like a general practitioner in the medical field: its biologists monitor the health of fish and wildlife resources, diagnose ailments, prescribe remedies, refer specific problems to specialists, and coordinate diverse efforts to restore and maintain health. The program helps avoid listing actions under the Endangered Species Act – or in other words, keeps the patient out of the intensive care unit. The American people benefit from healthier ecosystems and resulting increases in fishing and other recreational opportunities.
Yellowstone River Coordinator
This office was originally established in 2001 to address concerns about habitat loss and degradation within the Yellowstone River basin.
The Yellowstone River Coordinator works with a variety of Federal, State, and local groups and individuals to promote the conservation of fish and wildlife resources found in the Yellowstone River Basin for the benefit of the public. The Coordinator serves as a point of contact for the Fish and Wildlife Service on issues affecting the entire Yellowstone River Basin, reviews pending legislation related to Yellowstone River natural resources, and presents information at a variety of professional gatherings, meetings, and conferences. The Coordinator also works with the numerous Fish and Wildlife Service offices throughout the basin to ensure the most efficient use of limited resources.
In the Mountain - Prairie Region FWMA activities focus on:
Native Fish & Wildlife Conservation - Conserving imperiled fish and aquatic species and wildlife species – i.e. those in serious decline or listed under the Endangered Species Act – by planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating activities such as habitat restoration and captive propagation.
Native American Tribal Assistance - Fulfilling trust responsibilities to Native American tribal governments on reservations and in ceded territories. This includes managing fish and wildlife resources; restoring native species; recovering Threatened and endangered species; and restoring habitats etc.
Federal Lands Assistance - Assisting Federal land managers (e.g. Department of Defense) in fish and wildlife management on Federal lands and assisting National Wildlife Refuges in planning, managing, and restoring fisheries and aquatic resources.
Fish Passage - Restoring fish passage in streams where dams or other structures have obstructed access to habitats. This includes restoring flows.
Interjurisdictional Fisheries Assistance - Providing services to regional, and interstate, fishery commissions and other organizations for Service trust species.
Aquatic Nuisance Species - Increasing public awareness of invasive species; and providing technical assistance to control and prevent invasive species.
FWMA works closely with other programs in the Service and with the States, Tribes, and the private sector to complement habitat restoration and other resource management strategies for maintaining healthy ecosystems that support healthy fisheries.The American people benefit from healthier ecosystems and resulting increases in fishing and other recreational opportunities.
