Guided by the founding principles of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the mission of the bet365下载ios, federal wildlife officers protect wildlife and habitat and make refuges safe places for staff and visitors; conserve America鈥檚 natural resources; and seek to exemplify excellence in public service to all.

What We Do

Our Services

Federal wildlife officers are law enforcement professionals charged with protecting natural resources and public safety across the National Wildlife Refuge System. Their jobs may entail welcoming early morning refuge visitors, checking hunter licenses alongside state game wardens, helping refuge staff conduct biological surveys or giving a safety presentation to local schoolchildren. 

Conservation 

Federal wildlife officers safeguard America鈥檚 wildlife and federal lands and waters through enforcement activities on national wildlife refuges. Additionally, they collaborate with the bet365下载ios鈥檚 Office of Law Enforcement to enforce federal wildlife laws such as the Lacey Act in nearby communities. 

Protection 

Federal wildlife officers safeguard people and facilities in cooperation with local jurisdictions to ensure public safety. For example, they may search for lost or missing visitors, arrest violent offenders, conduct drug enforcement activities or aid in border security. 

Community Involvement

Federal wildlife officers work to match the needs of visitors and local communities with their conservation protection duties by conducting youth wildlife officer camps, teaching hunter education classes and mentoring young anglers. 

The bet365下载ios Honor Guard, made up of federal wildlife officers, deploys as a bet365下载ios presence at funeral services for fallen employees. The Honor Guard also may represent the Department of the Interior and the bet365下载ios at other ceremonial events. 

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
a uniformed officer poses for a picture at the edge of a Southern Texas landscape
Our People
SFWO Matthew McDonald
Employee highlight on Senior Federal Wildlife Officer Matthew McDonald, who after serving two decades in the United States Army, continues his service as a Federal Wildlife Officer with the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Two uniformed Federal Wildlife Officers pose for a picture with a painted sign in the background on a hill reading "welcome to Kalskag"
Our People
Yukon Delta鈥檚 Refuge Law Enforcement
For new Federal Wildlife Officers (FWOs) that find themselves on the tributaries and meanders of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, learning to navigate them safely can be daunting.  Learn more about what it takes to be an FWO on the mighty Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.
A Federal Wildlife Officer sits at the helm of a boat with the banks of the river visible through the window in front of him.
Our People
SFWO James (Jim) Reynolds
Employee highlight of Senior Federal Wildlife Officer James Reynolds who after serving twenty two years with the U.S. Coast Guard, continues his service as a Federal Wildlife Officer with the National Wildlife Refuge System.
a federal officer at the helm of a river boat drives as his boat is tied to another boat with a family of five people
Our People
FWO Robert Sundown
Employee highlight about the highly influential Federal Wildlife Officer Robert Sundown (1970-2023) who spent a career with the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge being a leader in conservation and impacting those around him.
A long line of vehicles forms at National Elk Refuge on opening day of the shed antler hunt season.
Wildlife Crime
Antler Poaching Felony Earns Fine and Ban聽
A felony antler poaching sentence, on the eve of shed hunt season opening, underscores the costs of flouting antler collection rules, say federal and state authorities.
A man in a knit hat, sunglasses and a blue jacket smiles at the top of a snowy trail.
Our People
Federal Wildlife Officer Bests Endurance Challenge
Federal Wildlife Officer Scott Pariseau likes a challenge. He got one in January 2024 when he entered the Arrowhead 135 鈥 a winter ultramarathon that鈥檚 considered one of the world's toughest endurance tests.
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