U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Brian Nesvik ordered a comprehensive, so-called top-to-bottom review on December 16, 2025, of the nation’s federal wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries.1 Curiously, the announcement was posted on the agency’s documents website but not announced publicly. The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) designates areas for species conservation and includes 573 wildlife refuges and five marine national monuments. The National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS) supports the conservation of fish and other marine life and includes 71 hatcheries, seven technology centers, and six health centers.
A Feb. 15 deadline has been set for what the directive calls a “detailed narrative of the results of the review,” including a “list of actionable recommendations with associated necessary actions required for implementation.” Criticized for its rushed timeline, the first internal findings are due to the Director on January 5, 2026, raising concerns about potential closures or redirected uses, similar to past efforts during the first Trump Administration.
During Trump's first term (2017-2021), key changes to the NWRS and NFHS focused on expanding public access for hunting and fishing, reversing Obama-era pesticide bans (e.g., allowing neonicotinoids and GMOs), and initiating reviews to improve operational efficiency and assess potential land reallocations. Although there weren't outright closures of wildlife refuges, there were notable efforts to increase access for development and resource extraction, such as oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the transfer of a portion of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge to support the expansion of the nearby SpaceX spaceport. Other changes were prompted by the COVID pandemic and government shutdowns, where some refuges were partially restaffed to keep hunting and fishing open despite general closure orders, sparking controversy over stewardship commitments. At that time, most changes received praise from sporting groups for boosting recreation and faced criticism from conservationists concerned about ecological impacts and conflicts with core conservation missions.
The 2025 “Christmas Review” concentrates on seven key areas: whether the missions of refuges and hatcheries still align with the overall mission of USFWS, whether the current organizational structure supports or hinders the achievement of those missions, and whether policies and guidance are clear, consistent, and transparent. Other aspects include funding and staffing levels; staff ability to collaborate with local communities and State and Tribal wildlife agencies; condition of buildings and infrastructure, including maintenance needs; and opportunities to enhance efficiency in management, oversight, and decision-making.
While the review is presented as overdue and aimed at evaluating program efficiency and mission alignment, it aligns with the Trump Administration’s broader systematic effort to reduce federal oversight and modify environmental protections on valued public lands and waters. The interim findings and February 15 recommendations will likely shape the future direction of the NWRS and NFHS programs over the next three years.
References
1. https://www.fws.gov/policy-library/do230
