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USFWS Washington Fish and Wildlife Office

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USFWS Washington Fish and Wildlife Office

Part of the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service's Ecological Services program, working closely with our partners to conserve fish, wildlife, plants and habitat in Washington

02/10/2026

🎶 You say it's your birthday? It's our birthday too!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service turns 155 years old today. The United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries was formed on February 9, 1871.

More than a century and a half later, our name has changed, but we remain committed to our mission - working with others to keep fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats safe, healthy, and productive for all Americans.

USFWS photo/K. King

01/29/2026

Exterminator extraordinaires! Bats have seemingly insatiable appetites when it comes to insects. These nocturnal pest controllers consume mosquitoes, midges, caddisflies, moths, beetles, and more en masse. No invoices or contracts involved.

In addition to helping keep mosquito bites to a minimum during your time outside, they also help protect your food. A portion of the insects that bats eat are considered agricultural pests.

Background photo: a brown bat in Washington (USFWS/A. LaValle)

01/27/2026

The Oregon vesper sparrow is the rarest subspecies of vesper sparrow. Only about 300 of these birds are thought to breed in Washington.

Most of those are found in the south Puget Sound lowlands, primarily on Joint Base Lewis-McChord during the spring and summer before they migrate to California for winter.

While they might look similar to many other sparrow species, their bold white eye-ring and two white outer tail feathers help distinguish them.

Historical population declines were likely due to the extensive loss of prairie and savannah habitats. The status of the subspecies is currently under review by the Service for potential listing under the Endangered Species Act.

(ODFW photo/S. Wray)

01/24/2026

Best mask in the marsh?
Common yellowthroats can be found in dense vegetation across North America, including Washington. While only males sport the "lone ranger" eye mask, both males and females have the namesake bright yellow throat.

USFWS/J. Bonello

01/16/2026

🎨 Calling all young artists! The 2026 Junior Duck Stamp contest is now open!

Using scientific and wildlife observation principles, the Junior Duck Stamp program encourages students in kindergarten through high school to observe, understand, and ultimately share what they have learned about waterfowl conservation.

All K-12 students attending public, private, tribal, or home schools, or non-formal education groups and after school groups in the United States and U.S. Territories are eligible to enter.

States run individual competitions that lead to one national winner becoming a stamp sold by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Postal Service. Washington entries are due March 15.

More information: https://www.fws.gov/program/junior-duck-stamp/junior-duck-stamp-contest-information

Photo: the top three winners of the 2025 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest (USFWS/J. Wright)

01/14/2026

150 acres of upland habitat in central Washington will soon be more productive for wildlife and more resilient to future wildfires. Thanks to investments in sagebrush country from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, portions of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, managed by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, are being restored following large fires in 2022.

Over the past six months, project leaders tackled invasive species, surveyed cultural resources, consulted tribes, and prepared for planting. But things are just getting started. More restoration activities will ramp up this fall and continue in the coming years.

Photo: the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area pre-restoration (WDFW/S. Morrison)

01/10/2026

"Wow, you smell turtally amazing."

"Thanks, I'm wearing Shell No. 5."
Painted turtles are one of only two freshwater turtle species native to Washington, the other being the northwestern pond turtle. Painted turtles sport bright colors, including a vibrant red or orange on the lower shell.

Photo: painted turtles at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Washington (USFWS/J. Leonard)

01/08/2026

Known for its beautiful, flute-like song that spirals through Pacific Northwest forests, Swainson’s thrush is a true summer melody maker. These birds migrate thousands of miles from South America to breed here, thriving in dense understory and coniferous forests.

Next time you’re on a trail in spring or summer, listen for their calls!

USFWS photo/P. Pearsall

01/07/2026

New year, new you, new... goo?
Far from being a quiet winter's sleep, the time a butterfly spends in its chrysalis is actually a period of dramatic biological activity.

In the course of turning into a butterfly, the caterpillar's body dissolves itself in a process sometimes described as turning into a sort of "goo" before its new features develop.

The island marble butterfly, an endangered species found only in the San Juan Islands, can spend more than ten months in the chrysalis before emerging as a butterfly in the warmth of the spring.

That pupation period is very long. For perspective, the monarch butterfly is only in its chrysalis for 8-14 days.

Making dramatic changes can take time... and can be messy.

Photos: an island marble butterfly chrysalis in a captive rearing facility (USFWS/A. Froschauer), and an island marble butterfly (USFWS/K. Reagan)

01/01/2026

...and we have lift-off! 2026 is a-go!

As we take flight into a new year, we hope it is one of your best yet.... wherever your wings take you in the year ahead.

Photo: a common goldeneye takes off (USFWS/P. Pearsall)

12/31/2025

🚨 Invasive species alert: in case you missed it, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed a Chinese mitten crab was caught in the Willamette River near Portland in late fall. This invasive crab spends most of its life in freshwater but reproduces in saltwater.

The Washington Invasive Species Council urges Washingtonians to be vigilant and report any suspected sightings of this prohibited aquatic invasive species. The crab is about three inches wide, and their outer claws appear hairy and mitten-like. They also have four spines on either side of their eyes.

To learn more and report sightings to the Washington Invasive Species Council, visit: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorityspecies/mitten-crab/

Photo: A Chinese mitten crab found in the Willamette River near the Sellwood Bridge. (Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife)

12/30/2025

2025 conservation highlight: the comeback of the Columbian white-tailed deer

In September, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service completed a status review for the Columbia River population of Columbian white-tailed deer, and the results were good news. The review found that this threatened population has met all of the goals in its recovery plan, and the Service is recommending it be removed from the federal Endangered Species List.

The recommendation is not a decision and the species remains federally listed for now. Any official change will go through a formal rulemaking process, including public comment and additional scientific review.

This encouraging milestone is thanks to years of hard work and partnership among many dedicated folks working to bring this unique species back from the brink in Washington and Oregon.

USFWS photo/J. Bonello

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Lacey, WA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13607539440

Website

https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/

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