International Affairs Program
Stored: International Affairs Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Top Organization | Department of the Interior |
| Creation Legislation | Endangered Species Act of 1973 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program protects wildlife and habitats globally, conserving biodiversity via treaties and partnerships. |
| Program Start | 1973 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program is a Department of the Interior initiative that oversees global wildlife conservation, managing over 40 treaties and U.S. laws to protect species like elephants, rhinos, and migratory birds across more than 100 countries, supporting over 1.3 million conservation actions since 1973 as of 2025.
Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, it integrates efforts through divisions like International Conservation and International Wildlife Trade, collaborating with private citizens, local communities, U.S. and foreign governments, NGOs, and industry groups, disbursing over $230 million in grants since 1990 to combat trafficking, enhance habitats, and implement CITES, with recent efforts like a 2024 bison conservation agreement with Canada and Mexico exemplifying its impact.
Goals
- Protect and restore wildlife and habitats for species of international concern.[1]
- Implement over 40 treaties and U.S. laws to conserve biodiversity globally.
- Foster partnerships to enhance conservation capacity and combat wildlife trafficking.
Organization
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program is sponsored by its own program office within the USFWS, under the Department of the Interior, headquartered at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.[2] Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2025 estimates supporting a staff managing three divisions—International Conservation, Management Authority, and Scientific Authority—overseeing grants, permits, and treaty compliance, collaborating with U.S. agencies, foreign governments, and NGOs across 10 regions.
The leader at the Department of the Interior level is the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, currently Martha Williams (as of February 20, 2025), with the International Affairs Program led by Acting Assistant Director Elsa Haubold.
History
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program was formalized under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, signed into law on December 28, 1973, building on earlier efforts like the 1916 Migratory Bird Treaty.[3] Structured as a program in 1994 with three divisions, it has implemented CITES since 1975, launched Multinational Species Conservation Funds in 1989, and by 2025, trained over 300,000 peacekeepers via partnerships, adapting with 2024’s bison agreement and a 2022 ePermits survey enhancing transparency.
Funding
Initial funding in 1973 came from Congressional appropriations, supporting early ESA implementation, with specific amounts unisolated.[4] Funding began in 1973 and continues, with FY 2023 at $31.8 million supporting grants ($230 million since 1990), permits, and operations across 100+ countries, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million Species Conservation Catalyst Fund.
Implementation
The program is implemented through divisions managing conservation grants, CITES permits, and scientific advice, partnering with private citizens, communities, U.S. and foreign governments, NGOs, and industry to conserve species like cheetahs and saiga antelope.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, issuing permits for sustainable trade and supporting fieldwork, adapting in 2025 to enhance zoonotic disease prevention and bison conservation.
Related
External links
- https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs
- https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs/what-we-do - Program Activities
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Social media
References
- ↑ "International Affairs Overview," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "About International Affairs," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs/about-us, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "International Affairs History," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs/about-us, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "USFWS Budget," U.S. Department of the Interior, https://www.doi.gov/budget, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "What We Do," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs/what-we-do, accessed February 19, 2025.