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https://www.cpr.org/2026/01/11/usfws-reviewing-national-wildlife-refuges-fish-hatcheries/
The Trump administration is reviewing hundreds of national wildlife refuges and dozens of fish hatcheries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it's looking for sites "established for a purpose that no longer aligns with the mission" of the bureau, according to a Dec. 16 order from Director Brian Nesvik, who used to lead Wyoming's state wildlife agency.
He said the review should also consider "opportunities to achieve efficiencies in the areas of governance, oversight, and span of control," along with ways to remove organizational barriers and staff capacity to work with local communities, and state and tribal wildlife management agencies.
Senior Advisor Joshua Coursey, a Wyoming mule deer advocate, will lead the review of wildlife refuges, while Acting Deputy Director for Operations David Miko will lead the one for fish hatcheries.
Some conservationists and former Fish and Wildlife Service employees worry the effort is being rushed, as the team leads were given three weeks over the Christmas and New Year holidays to conduct their initial review.
The Trump administration is reviewing hundreds of national wildlife refuges and dozens of fish hatcheries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it's looking for sites "established for a purpose that no longer aligns with the mission" of the bureau, according to a Dec. 16 order from Director Brian Nesvik, who used to lead Wyoming's state wildlife agency.
He said the review should also consider "opportunities to achieve efficiencies in the areas of governance, oversight, and span of control," along with ways to remove organizational barriers and staff capacity to work with local communities, and state and tribal wildlife management agencies.
Senior Advisor Joshua Coursey, a Wyoming mule deer advocate, will lead the review of wildlife refuges, while Acting Deputy Director for Operations David Miko will lead the one for fish hatcheries.
Some conservationists and former Fish and Wildlife Service employees worry the effort is being rushed, as the team leads were given three weeks over the Christmas and New Year holidays to conduct their initial review.
