Canadian Wildlife Service

The Canadian Wildlife Service or CWS (French: Service canadien de la faune), is a Branch of the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada, a department of the Government of Canada. Founded in 1947 as Dominion Wildlife Service, it is Canada's national wildlife agency responsible for the protection and management of migratory birds, endangered species and nationally important wildlife habitats. Until 2026, the Canadian Wildlife Service (original named the Dominions Wildlife Service) have been in existence for 79 years, the agency has worked on multiple fronts to provide conservation and policy support for Canada's wildlife over the half century.

CWS conducts scientific research and monitoring, develops policies and regulations, manages permits, and provides financial and technical support for conservation programs. It manages 54 national wildlife areas and 92 migratory bird sanctuaries across Canada and plays a key role in implementing federal legislation, such as the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Species at Risk Act and the Canada Wildlife Act. The service works with provincial, territorial and indigenous governments as well as international partners and non-governmental organizations. Throughout its history, CWS has contributed to public education and awareness through initiatives such as the Hinterland Who's Who series, and has supported research on issues such as toxicology, habitat loss and the impact of climate change on wildlife.