Trump Nominates Former Wyoming Game and Fish Chief Brian Nesvik to Lead US Fish and Wildlife Service

Former Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik has been nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

If confirmed by the Senate, Nesvik will oversee an agency responsible for managing the nation’s wildlife, which includes nearly 860 million acres of refuge land and approximately 8,000 employees.

Nesvik’s nomination, which appeared on Congress.gov on Tuesday, is currently under review by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. If approved, the full Senate will vote on his confirmation. Nesvik, a longtime figure in Wyoming’s wildlife management, retired as director of Wyoming Game and Fish in mid-2024 after a career spanning nearly three decades in the agency.

His tenure in Wyoming saw him rise from a game warden in 1995 to chief warden and, ultimately, the department’s director. Additionally, Nesvik served in the Wyoming Army National Guard for 35 years, retiring as a brigadier general in 2021. His military career included two combat deployments in Iraq and Kuwait.

Wyoming leaders, including Governor Mark Gordon and members of the state’s congressional delegation, have expressed strong support for Nesvik’s nomination.

“Brian has spent his entire career serving the people of Wyoming and working alongside outfitters, hunters, landowners, fishermen, and anyone else who loves the great outdoors,” said US Senator Cynthia Lummis. “That attitude and passion for balancing wildlife conservation and recreational access will serve him well in this important role.”

Governor Gordon echoed these sentiments, stating that Nesvik’s deep understanding of wildlife issues and experience with endangered species management would be invaluable at the federal level.

Nesvik’s nomination has not been without criticism. Some environmental groups have raised concerns about his approach to wildlife management, particularly regarding endangered species protections. The Center for Biological Diversity, for example, has been critical of Nesvik’s role in managing predators like grizzly bears and wolves in Wyoming.

“Nesvik led one of the most anti-conservation wildlife agencies in the country,” said Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs at the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s glaringly obvious that he wants to weaken the Endangered Species Act.”

As Game and Fish director, Nesvik oversaw Wyoming’s controversial wolf management program and advocated for removing grizzly bears from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. The issue of grizzly bear delisting could be one of the first major policy decisions he faces if confirmed.

Despite differing opinions on his policies, Nesvik has been recognized for his efforts in balancing conservation and land-use issues. Under his leadership, Wyoming Game and Fish expanded its non-game wildlife programs and developed a widely praised policy for protecting migration corridors.

He has also been a strong advocate for outdoor education, launching initiatives like the “Inspire a Kid” program, which encourages youth to engage with nature through hunting, fishing, and conservation activities.

“I believe one of the most important things we can do is ensure the next generation has the same passion and respect for wildlife that we do,” Nesvik said in a farewell essay upon his retirement from Wyoming Game and Fish.

Nesvik has yet to publicly comment on his nomination, directing media inquiries to the White House. His confirmation process is expected to unfold in the coming weeks, with a final decision resting in the hands of the US Senate.

With input from Wyo File, Cowboy State Daily, Oil City News, and Wyoming Public Media.