About Us

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's primary mission is to oversee the implementation and of the Endangered Species Act. This 1973 Act is designed to protect species and their habitat from extinction. Our mission in Nevada is to conserve the natural biological diversity of the Great Basin, Eastern Sierra, and Mojave Desert ecosystems. Our area of responsibility encompasses all of Nevada a some portions of California.

We have three offices to serve you — the Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office in Reno, the Southern Nevada Field Office in Las Vegas, and the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex in Gardnerville.

Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office Programs

Desert Tortoise Recovery

A new Desert Tortoise Recovery Office (DTRO) based at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office in Reno, Nevada has been established. The DTRO will focus on recovery plan implementation, research, monitoring, and recovery permitting for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Desert tortoise populations are rapidly diminishing due to vandalism, raven predation, disease, collections for pets (now illegal), and habitat degradation.

Desert Fish Recovery

Conserving fish that are native to Nevada is a challenge at a time of increased growth in our State. Drought conditions that are natural are exasperated by increasing water demands for agriculture and growth. To ensure Nevada's fishes have a future, we work with communities to repair damaged rivers and streams. We provide guidance and funding to farmers and ranchers to develop more efficient water delivery systems, and we work with land owners and managers to develop land use plans that reduce adverse impacts to native species and their habitats.

Ecological Services

We document the presence of species to determine if it is threatened by man and see if there are ways to remove or reduce the threat. Tools such as Habitat Conservation Plans allow us to develop plans that will allow development to continue while protecting the species. We work closely with other Federal agencies to develop land management plans that will reduce impacts to rare species and their habitat. We consult on projects that may impact species or habitat. We study environmental threats and provide funding for projects on private land that help species. We are in involved in pre-fire planning to reduce the threat and minimize impacts of wildfire and in fire restoration and post-wilfire monitoring.

Environmental Education

Providing education on the importance of preservation and conservation is a major focus for the Service. We help teachers educate students on the importance of protecting species, offer tours of refuges and hatchery facilities, and come speak to classes. For information environmental education click here.

Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex

The Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex is an integrated fishery program that includes the Nevada Fishery Resource Office, the Marble Bluff Fish Passage Facility, and the hatchery. The three stations coordinate programs to plan and implement activities for recovery of the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout (Onchorynchus clarkii henshawi) and the endangered cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus) and provide technical assistance to state, tribal and federal agencies.

Partnerships

The Fish & Wildlife Service works with a wide variety of partners to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats. These partners include other federal agencies, Tribes, State and local governments, conservation organizations, academic institutions, businesses, school groups, and private individuals. Follow this link to learn more about our conservation partnerships in Nevada.

Wildlife Opportunities at Refuges

Learn More About Us Conservation Partnerships Desert Fish Recovery Desert Tortoise Recovery Division of Environmental Quality Environmental Education Ecological Services Fire Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex Meet The Field Supervisor