U.S. Senate votes and confirms Brian Nesvik in a 54-43 vote to director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Senate confirmed Brian Nesvik as the new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director. Nesvik spent 30 years with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and served as the agency’s director from 2019 until his retirement in 2024. He also served in the Army National Guard for 35 years. “He will take the reins at a time when politics—not science—has too often driven agency decisions,” said Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) on behalf of the nominee. “I look forward to working with Brian to restore science to conservation policies.” Some organizations, like the Sierra Club, have opposed Nesvik’s nomination to the position, citing his support for removing Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for grizzly bears (Ursos arctos horribilis) as another attack on the ESA. Others, like the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership,welcomed his confirmation, citing their longstanding collaboration and expressing optimism about working together to conserve fish and wildlife habitats while enhancing hunting and fishing opportunities. “We congratulate Director Nesvik on his confirmation and look forward to working with him and his staff at the USFWS on key issues surrounding wildlife conservation,” said TWS CEO Ed Arnett.
