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Welcome to Region 6
The Mountain-Prairie Region consists of 8 states in the heart of the American west including Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
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Science
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Science
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long tradition of scientific excellence and always uses the best-available science to inform its work to conserve fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitat for the benefit of the American public.
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- Refuges
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National Wildlife Refuges
Where Wildlife Comes First
Created in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, today's National Wildlife Refuge System protects habitats and wildlife across the country, from the Alaskan tundra to subtropical wetlands. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Refuge System's 560-plus refuges cover more than 150 million acres and protect nearly 1,400 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
While national wildlife refuges were created to protect wildlife, they are for people too. Refuges are ideal places for people of all ages to explore and connect with the natural world. We invite you to learn more about and visit the national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Visit a Refuge or District
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- Fire Management
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- Ecological Services
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Ecological Services
The Mountain-Prairie Region's Office of Ecological Services (ES) works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, ES personnel work with Federal, State, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to avoid, minimize, and mitigate threats to our Nation's natural resources.
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- National Wetlands Inventory
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- Migratory Birds
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Migratory Birds
Providing leadership in the conservation of migratory bird habitat through partnerships, grants, and outreach for present and future generations. The Migratory Bird Program is responsible for maintaining healthy migratory bird populations for the benefit of the American people.
- Regional Priority Species
- Focal Species
- Duck Stamps
- Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial
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- WSFR
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- Fish & Aquatic
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Fish and Aquatic Conservation
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program in the Mountain-Prairie Region helps conserve, protect, and enhance aquatic resources and provides economically valuable recreational fishing to anglers across the country. The program comprises 12 National Fish Hatcheries.
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- Law Enforcement
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Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation. The Office of Law Enforcement contributes to Service efforts to manage ecosystems, save endangered species, conserve migratory birds, preserve wildlife habitat, restore fisheries, combat invasive species, and promote international wildlife conservation.
- Laws Enforced
- Import/Exports
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- External Affairs
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External Affairs
External Affairs staff in the Mountain-Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides support to the regional office and field stations to communicate and faciliate information about the Service's programs to the public, media, Congress, Tribes, partners, and other stakeholders in the 8-state region.
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Laws & Policies
Compatible use | Cultural resources and Native Americans | Environmental analysis | Federal advisory committees | Fish, wildlife, and biodiversity | Partners | Planning | Realty | Recreation | Refuge System | Water resources | Wilderness | Open / close all
Law, policy, and plans—in that order—direct management of lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Servicewide law and policy dictate "musts," things that must happen because they have been mandated by Congress or the leadership of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The below links are for the major laws and policies that guide refuge planning.
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
Executive Order 13443—Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation (PDF)
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PDF)
Policy
Appropriate refuge uses
Compatibility
Environmental education
General guidelines for wildlife-dependent recreation
Hunting
Interpretation
Recreational fishing
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Wildlife observation
Wildlife photography
Cultural resources and Native Americans »
Law
Antiquities Act
Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (PDF)
Digest of Federal resource laws
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PDF)
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
Policy
The Native American Policy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (PDF)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (PDF)
Policy
Forty most asked questions concerning CEQ’s National Environmental Policy Act (PDF)
Managing the NEPA process—U.S. Department of the Interior (PDF)
NEPAnet—U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Digest of Federal resource laws
Federal Advisory Committee Act (PDF)
The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995, Title II, Section 204: State and Local Exemption to Federal Advisory Committee Act (PDF)
Policy
Fish, wildlife, and biodiversity »
Digest of Federal resource laws
Endangered Species Act of 1973
Executive Order 13443—Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation (PDF)
Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980
Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act of 1934
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PDF)
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 (1 MB PDF)
Policy
Biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health
Mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
Policy
Coordination and cooperative work with State fish and wildlife agencies
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PDF)
Policy
Comprehensive conservation planning process
Habitat management plans
Land acquisition
Refuge planning overview
Step-down management planning
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
Executive Order 13443—Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation (PDF)
Refuge Recreation Act of 1966
Policy
Environmental education
General guidelines for wildlife-dependent recreation
Hunting
Interpretation
Recreational fishing
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Wildlife observation
Wildlife photography
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PDF)
Policy
National Wildlife Refuge System mission and goals and refuge purposes
National Wildlife Refuge System mission and guiding principles
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 (2 MB PDF)
Executive Order 11988—Floodplain Management
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (PDF)
Policy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Law
Digest of Federal resource laws
The Wilderness Act of 1964 (PDF)
Policy
General overview of wilderness stewardship policy (PDF)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual
Wilderness administration and resource stewardship (PDF)
Wilderness review and evaluation (PDF)
Wilderness stewardship planning (PDF)
Page photograph: black-footed ferret, an endangered species reintroduced to the wild in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico.
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