Who We Are

Click here to take a look at our FWS Retirees Association brochure!

 

Watch the FWS Retirees Association Video

A video is available on YouTube called "Join the FWS Retirees Association". Featuring interviews with FWS HIstorian Mark Madison, Pacific Region Retiree Jerry Grover and Board of Directors Member Dr. Mamie Parker, the video covers the history of the Association, the benefits of joining and how to join (if you're not already a member!), and some of the activities members participate in - especially the reunions!

Click here to watch the video.

 

"Everyone is either a retiree or a retiree-in-training"

The Association of Retired Fish & Wildlife Service Employees is a chartered, non-profit membership organization of former colleagues that are now retired.  The Association is also known as the FWS Retirees Association.  Association activities are directed by a 9-member elected Board of Directors.  The main purpose of the Association is to recognize and preserve the rich history of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the many contributions of its present and past employees, to foster the preservation and use of the historical treasures, documents, objects and information of the Service’s unique history and values in World leading natural resource conservation, and to involve present and past employees in the history and heritage of the Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Association (DLN 17053289033043) qualifies as an organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, meaning it has met the requirement of a tax-exempt, non-profit entity and can also accept grants and contracts to further its goals.   

Retirees through their direct contributions to the Service’s archival collection, participating in the oral history project of digital taped or video accounts of Service history in the making, and through their reunions, assure that one of the Service’s most valuable resources, its people, are neither discarded nor forgotten and are a source of pride and motivation for future Fish & Wildlife Service policy and actions.  Retired employees interact by serving on panels and committees when requested, by assisting in current employee development, training and knowledge of the past through the experiences of retirees during their active duty assignments, by contributing their expertise in times no national natural resource emergencies, and by shared funding with Service offices celebrating major events.

The Association exists to help its members transition smoothly into retirement while at the same time not divorcing themselves entirely from their past life and activities.   The Association works to facilitate interaction and camaraderie among retirees and between retirees and active Service employees.  We maintain a database to assist members locate and contact former friends and colleagues.  We host a website and publish a periodic newsletter to help members keep abreast of what's going on with other retirees and what's happening within the Service and the conservation community in general.  For those who wish to continue to be involved with conservation activities and issues, the Association publishes notices of opportunities to participate in projects worldwide.

Reunions have been held throughout the U.S. since 1999 in a social setting of storytelling and reminiscing and the presentation of informative workshops of importance to Government retirees.  It brings together former colleagues, who are also good friends, and present-day Service employees are invited to join us. Reunions are held at various locations and venues throughout the country. Click here for Information on previous and upcoming reunions.

A Memorandum of Agreement signed in 2014 that defines the relationship between and how the Retirees Association and Fish and Wildlife Service work together can be found here.