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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to:
conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
An ecosystem approach to fish and wildlife conservation is a more effective way to address the Service's mission and its extensive array of statutory responsibilities. In order to meet the legal mandates established by laws such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Service must work with all interests in an ecosystem, taking into account the legal mandates of other natural resource agencies and the broad needs of society. The species-specific, land-management, and project-oriented responsibilities arising from the Service's mission and mandates hinge on the perpetuation of stable, sustainable ecosystems and extensive collaboration with other Federal, State, Tribal, and private interests.
As the Service, working closely with others, carries out its mission and mandates, it will constantly strive to contribute to:
the effective conservation of natural biological diversity through perpetuation of dynamic, healthy ecosystems.
This is an ambitious goal indeed, and the only hope for success lies in the coordinated efforts of many public agencies, private organizations, landowners, and citizens. Many Service programs and initiatives contribute to the conservation of biological diversity. Most obvious are actions that lead to the protection of habitat and the recovery of fish and wildlife populations in jeopardy. Less obvious, but equally significant, are actions that restore important habitats, reduce environmental degradation and contamination, monitor the integrity of natural systems, regulate the harvest of migratory birds, and provide technical assistance to private landowners. The Service cannot fulfill this goal alone. Only through an ecosystem approach where the Service works with others to conserve the Nation'sbiological heritage will the goal be realized.
In implementing an ecosystem approach to fish and wildlife conservation, the Service will emphasize three major areas:
An ecosystem approach to fish and wildlife conservation means protecting or restoring the function, structure, and species composition of an ecosystem while providing for its sustainable socioeconomic use. The Service is increasing its efforts to think and act in terms of systems, relationships, and processes. Because biological systems are dynamic, the Service will address all species as components of the dynamic systems within which they are found. Many of these systems require continued management.
The Service has diverse authorities and numerous programs that have been established to carry out its legal mandates. We are working to increase the communication, coordination, and collaboration among all our programs. This integration will ensure that we use our resources most effectively, bringing many diverse talents to the table. Improved coordination will also enhance our efforts to work better with others.
The Service rarely controls or manages entire ecosystems. The actions and management of neighboring public and private lands strongly influence the ecological integrity of National Wildlife Refuges. Similarly, endangered and migratory species use lands beyond those specifically established to provide for their conservation. The Service will work closely with everyone who shares responsibility for sustaining ecosystems: other Federal agencies, States, Native American tribes, communities, corporate and individual landowners, various organizations, and the general public.
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