Established in 1848, the Department of the Interior, a United States government conservation agency, manages federally owned land. It offers recreational opportunities and conducts scientific researches. The agency undertakes several collaborative projects for the development of water conservation technologies. It also works for the improvement of habitats for migratory birds and marine species. The agency protects ocean areas, coral reefs, barrier islands, bays, deltas and wetland. It also conducts assessments related to water availability and its quality. The agency s activities include the search for new water sources and the protection of endangered marine species. It also handles projects for the improvement of federal parks. The agency provides habitat restoration and weed management services. The Department of the Interior has more than 65,000 employees and over 230,000 volunteers in nearly 2,300 operating locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and several other U.S. territories.