Dan Ashe Sworn In as New Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Photo Caption: Dan Ashe
swearing in ceremony.
Credit: Tami Heilemann/USFWS

The USGS Biological Informatics Program (BIP) extends its congratulations and welcome to Daniel M. Ashe, the new  director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Mr. Ashe was formally nominated by President Obama, and was just recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 16th Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sec. Salazar praised Mr. Ashe on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website, saying:

"Dan has served with distinction and integrity in the Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 15 years. He has worked tirelessly to prepare the Service to meet the resource challenges of the 21st century, and his leadership and vision have never been more necessary," said Salazar. "I’m excited to work with him to foster innovative science-driven conservation programs and policies to benefit our nation’s fish and wildlife and its habitat."

Mr. Ashe's previous experience includes serving as the chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, where he directed operation and management of the 150 million-acre system, and serving as the Fish and Wildlife Service’s assistant director for external affairs, where he directed the agency’s programs in legislative, public, and Native American affairs, research coordination, and state grants-in-aid.  Prior to joining the Service, Ashe served as a member of the professional staff of the former Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Biological Informatics Program (BIP) has a number of partnerships and collaborative efforts with the Fish and Wildlife Service, including the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE), species pages for the USFWS Migratory Bird Programs Focal Birds Species, the Tricolored Blackbird Portal, and regional and national syntheses of Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the State Wildlife Action Plans, and many others.  We look forward to continuing these and other collaborations in the future.

Read the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Press Release >>
Watch the YouTube video of Dan Ashe being sworn in >>