Nesvik confirmed to lead FWS
On Aug. 1, the U.S. Senate confirmed Wyoming native and former Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) Director Brian Nesvik will take the helm of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The announcement comes five months after President Donald Trump nominated Nesvik for the position, which was advanced in a narrow, party-line vote in April before languishing for months.
However, in a recent turn of events, Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined the Republicans in 55-to-41 vote confirming Nesvik as the next FWS head.
Longtime leadership
A native of Cheyenne, Nesvik graduated from the University of Wyoming before spending nearly 30 years with WGFD, in which he served as the agency’s director from 2019 until his retirement in September 2024.
During this time, Nesvik dealt with a host of hot-button issues, including updated sage grouse protections, management plans for overpopulated elk herds and multiple endangered species issues, including those surrounding grizzly bears and wolves.
In addition to his longtime leadership regarding wildlife, Nesvik also served in the Wyoming Army National Guard since 1986, where he acted as commanding general and assistant adjutant general, holding the rank of brigadier general.
He served as a commander of two deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad in southern Iraq and Kuwait and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 2005 by the U.S. Army for his service.
In his new role with FWS, Nesvik will oversee conservation of the nation’s fish and wildlife and their respective habitats on public lands.
During his confirmation hearing in March, Nesvik voiced his immediate priorities would be centered around furthering the Trump administration’s America First agenda by improving the agency’s interactions with the public, simplifying regulations, accelerating technology permitting and relying more on “education, voluntary compliance and verification.”
Support and opposition
As expected, Nesvik’s confirmation stirred up some controversy. His move to national director was widely celebrated by many throughout the West, yet garnered pushback from several conservation groups.
Those in opposition cited his “poor handling of a wolf torture incident” in Sublette County earlier this spring and his “track record on grizzly bear management.”
In an Aug. 1 statement, Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs for the Center for Biological Diversity, says, “In voting for Nesvik, Heinrich and Rosen – the only two Democratic senators to join Republicans – just voted to accelerate extinction. Nesvik is a yes-man who will rubber-stamp Trump’s anti-wildlife agenda, no questions asked. Instead of upholding FWS’s mission of protecting endangered species, he’s going to clear the way for their demise.”
Bradley Willians, deputy legislative director for wildlife and lands protection at the Sierra Club, further comments, “Trump and Congressional Republicans have put the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in their crosshairs, and Nesvik is ready to take the shot. His tenure as head of the WGFD prioritized trophy hunts and weakened protections for imperiled species over scientifically-sound wildlife management. One of the FWS’s most important roles is upholding the ESA and, given his experience, it’s not clear whether Nesvik will be able to fulfill this duty. Unfortunately, it appears wildlife will pay the price.”
Seemingly, support for Nesvik’s confirmation rings louder than the objections.
In an Aug. 1 press release, Gov. Mark Gordon notes there has “never been a more qualified” man for the position and that Nesvik will be a strong advocate for issues close to home.
“His on-the-ground experience in Wyoming will lend oversight to the essential analysis of how federal policies apply to the day-to-day wildlife management within states,” Gordon states. “I am eager to continue working with Nesvik on ESA reform, delisting of grizzly bears and more.”
Sen. Cynthia Lummis also voiced support, stating, “Nesvik is a breath of fresh air who will excel in his new role leading FWS. As demonstrated during the confirmation process, Nesvik brings a proven and impressive track record from Wyoming, where he effectively collaborated with federal, state and local partners to achieve important conservation goals. I am proud to support Nesvik and pleased the Senate has confirmed him as the new director of the FWS.”
Additionally, groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC), The Wildlife Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited and Safari Club International have offered their endorsement.
“While the Trump administration is making huge progress reforming the ESA and alleviating other regulatory burdens, ranchers need a permanent FWS director, and this afternoon the Senate confirmed a qualified, experienced leader,” says NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “Nesvik has led western engagement on complex wildlife and natural resource issues, and we expect he will continue to be a decisive leader in Washington, D.C.”
She continues, “Nesvik is uniquely qualified for this role having previously served as the director of the WGFD and honed his leadership skills while serving in the National Guard with overseas deployments in Iraq and Kuwait. NCBA and PLC thank the Senate for diligently working to swiftly confirm nominees and reduce uncertainty for producers across the country and congratulate Nesvik on his confirmation to lead such an influential agency.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
