National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Brian Nesvik As Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
For Immediate Release August 1, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org
National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Brian Nesvik As Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates Brian Nesvik on his confirmation as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). With deep roots in the conservation and wildlife management community, including service as a game warden and decades-long commitment to field-based stewardship, Director Nesvik brings practical experience and an understanding of America’s sporting and conservation heritage to the role.
During his confirmation hearing, when Senator John Boozman (R-AR) asked about rebuilding the Refuge System Nesvik responded, “I strongly believe that the [National] Wildlife Refuge system is important and it’s going to have my focus.”
We thank Director Nesvik for this affirmation, and Senator Boozman for elevating the needs of national wildlife refuges. It’s a hopeful sign that the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) may once again be recognized as a bipartisan national priority— one that transcends politics in favor of protecting America’s wildlife, public lands, and shared natural world.
As a career conservation officer with deep connections to the sportsman community, Director Nesvik understands the on-the-ground realities of managing for both people and wildlife. His background gives us reason to believe he will appreciate the important role national wildlife refuges play in migratory bird conservation and as critical landscapes for wildlife and outdoor recreation alike.
“We look forward to working with Director Nesvik,” said Desirée Soreson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “We respect his experience and his commitment to wildlife and we look forward to working together to protect, promote, and enhance the Refuge System and our shared mission of conserving America’s natural heritage.”
The National Wildlife Refuge Association remains committed to advancing the Refuge System and ensuring that national wildlife refuges remain protected, restored, and accessible for generations to come.
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As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 560 refuges and 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.
