Department overview | |
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Formed | 1971 |
Preceding department |
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Jurisdiction | State of Alabama |
Headquarters | Montgomery, Alabama [1] |
Department executive |
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Website | outdooralabama |
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is the state agency responsible for the conservation and management of Alabama's natural resources including state parks, state lands, wildlife and aquatic resources. ADCNR also issues hunting and fishing licenses for the state. The department promotes wise stewardship and enjoyment of the state's natural resources through five divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Supporting those divisions are seven support sections: Accounting, Diversity and Recruiting, Engineering, Information and Education, Information Technology, Legal, and Personnel and Payroll.
The department is led by a commissioner who is appointed by the governor, and advised by the ten-member Conservation Advisory Board. Advisory board members are appointed by the governor for terms of six years. The governor, Agriculture and Industries Commissioner, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System Director serve as advisory board ex officio members, while the ADCNR Commissioner serves as the board's ex officio secretary.
The department receives no funding from the state general fund. Funds are generated through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registration fees, oil and gas royalties from leases of state lands, and State Parks usage fees. The funds are supplemented with federal matching funds.
The department's primary responsibility is to manage the wildlife and public lands of Alabama. This includes: 22 state parks, 23 public fishing lakes, three freshwater fish hatcheries, 34 wildlife management areas, two waterfowl refuges, two wildlife sanctuaries, a mariculture center with 35 ponds, and 645,000 acres (2,610 km2) of trust lands managed for the benefit of several state agencies, the General Fund and Alabama Trust Fund. The department also works to acquire additional land for public use under the Forever Wild Program and provides public education resources. [2]
Alabama has a long history of wildlife conservation which dates back to 1867. That year the first laws in the state to regulate hunting and fishing were introduced. With the creation of the State Oyster Inspector in 1891 the state legislature began to pave the way for the creation of a state conservation agency, and in 1907 the Department of Game and Fish was established through a bill authored by Representative Henry Stegall of Dale County. State Representative John Wallace of Madison County was appointed as the first commissioner of the department. The department's duties included regulating wild bird and game harvests, setting hunting seasons and harvest limits, and issuing certificates for the scientific study of birds.
In the early 1900s most of Alabama's peace officers were required by the state legislature to function as game and fish wardens in addition to their regular duties. That changed in November 1907 when H.M Henderson and W.F. Sirmon were appointed as the first official state game wardens, which also made them the first state law enforcement officers in Alabama. Sixty five non-salary officers were soon added, and by 1922 game wardens were salaried and hired through an examination and training process.
In 1915 several agencies and commissions responsible for the state's wildlife and natural resources were consolidated under the Department of Game and Fish, and in 1919 the agency was renamed the Alabama Department of Conservation. The department would undergo many name changes as the focus and overall scope of operations evolved until settling on its current name, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in 1971.
The department has published a magazine continuously since 1929. From 1929 to 1940 the magazine was called Alabama Game and Fish News. Then in 1940 the name was changed to Alabama Conservation until it was changed to Outdoor Alabama in 1995. Since the magazine's inception it has profiled the state's wildlife, natural diversity, outdoor recreational opportunities and scenic beauty.
Marine Resources
The Marine Resources Division manages state marine resources through research and enforcement programs. In 2013, the former Marine Police were merged into the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency as the Alabama Marine Police.
State Lands
The State Lands Division manages undeveloped state-owned land, most of which is held in trust for specific public purposes. The State Lands Division is a law enforcement entity with police powers statewide. [3]
State Parks
The State Parks Division is the division which is most well known by the public due to the role of maintaining and operating Alabama's State Parks. The division is charged with acquiring and preserving natural areas, managing those areas for public benefit, and educating the public on Alabama's environment. [4]
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division manages and protects wildlife and freshwater aquatic resources in Alabama and is responsible for the management of Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is a law enforcement entity with police powers statewide. [2]
Administrative Division
The Administrative Division provides support services such as human resources, legal, and payroll to the operating divisions. [4]
Amendment 543 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 established the Forever Wild Land Trust in 1992. Run by the Department's State Lands Division, the Trust allows for the purchase of land for public recreational use, the creation of nature preserves, additions to Wildlife Management Areas and state parks, and as a way to preserve Alabama's natural heritage. As of January 2009 Forever Wild has acquired 67 tracts of land totaling 139,844 acres (565.9 km2).
Run by the Department's Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, the AABC is the largest state non-game recovery program in the United States. Located in Marion, the center's mission is to promote the conservation and restoration of rare freshwater species in Alabama and in turn restore cleaner water to state waterways. Recent projects include an extensive effort to restore various aquatic mollusk populations in the state that have been in decline for various environmental reasons. The Mobile River Basin will be the first major focus of the mollusk restoration effort.
With approximately 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) of offshore waters included in the Alabama's Artificial Reef Program it is currently the largest in the United States. The program is the product of a cooperative agreement between the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department's Marine Resources Division. Started in 1953, the program continues to expand helping to reinforce the Gulf's natural aquatic diversity.
The Alabama State Parks system encompasses approximately 48,000 acres (190 km2) of land and water in Alabama. Park activities and accommodations include hotels and motels, tent and RV camping, boating, hiking, swimming, championship-level golf courses, and other activities. Park environments range from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian Mountains, which showcase the state's dynamic natural diversity.
A major component of the department's mission is education. The department's Marine Police Division, in a joint effort with the Alabama State Department of Education, Driver Education Section, teaches boating education in public schools as required by the Alabama Boating Safety Reform Act of 1994. The act extends the same laws that apply to driving a car or other motorized vehicle to boating.
In 2008 the State Lands Division opened the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. The conservation education facility also serves as hub of outdoor recreation in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in South Alabama.
In addition to hunting and boating education programs the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division conducts several educational outreach programs such as Archery in Schools and various fishing education classes.
Department biologists conduct a wide array of scientific studies of Alabama's plant and animal species including the monitoring of wildlife and aquatic species populations as well as habitat studies that will inform future management practices. Department Biologists also regularly contribute to Outdoor Alabama magazine.
In addition to publishing Outdoor Alabama, the Department's Information and Education section annually conducts several teacher training workshops designed to help teachers incorporate conservation and natural resources education into public school curricula.
Since the establishment of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 7 officers have died in the line of duty. The following list contains officers from both the Wildlife & Freshwater Fishers Division and the Marine Police Division. [5] [6]
Officer | Date of Death | Details |
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Conservation Officer Loyd C. Hays | Friday, May 1, 1964 | Gunfire |
Marine Patrolman Walter E. Sawyer | Wednesday, December 7, 1966 | Automobile accident |
Conservation Officer Frank Stewart Jr. | Sunday, December 24, 1978 | Gunfire |
Conservation Officer Cecil C. Chatman | Sunday, November 28, 1982 | Assault |
Deputy Game Warden James C. Vines | Saturday, January 26, 1985 | Gunfire |
Game Warden Jimmy Dean Hutto | Monday, March 25, 2002 | Gunfire |
Conservation Officer James Lansford (Lance) Horner Jr. | Sunday, June 22, 2003 | Drowned |
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats. The mission of the agency is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana. There are many divisions within the DNR and each has a specific role. The DNR is not only responsible for maintaining resource areas but also manages Indiana's fish and wildlife, reclaims coal mine ground, manages forested areas, aids in the management of wildlife on private lands, enforces Indiana's conservation laws, and many other duties not named here. According to the department's website, their mission is "to protect, enhance, preserve, and wisely use natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education".
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is a government agency of the U.S. state of Wisconsin charged with conserving and managing Wisconsin's natural resources. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has the authority to set policy for the WDNR. The WDNR is led by the Secretary, who is appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin. The WDNR develops regulations and guidance in accordance with laws passed by the Wisconsin Legislature. It administers wildlife, fish, forests, endangered resources, air, water, waste, and other issues related to natural resources. The central office of the WDNR is located in downtown Madison, near the state capitol.
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The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a South Carolina state agency charged with regulating hunting, fishing, boating, duck stamp orders, and the conservation efforts of the state government.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 124 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and working with communities to benefit local recreation and natural areas. The agency has its headquarters in the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is a part of the Hawaii state government dedicated to managing, administering, and exercising control over public lands, water resources and streams, ocean waters, coastal areas, minerals, and other natural resources of the State of Hawaiʻi. The mission of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is to "enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaiʻi's unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of the people of Hawaiʻi nei, and its visitors, in partnership with others from the public and private sectors." The organization oversees over 1.3 million acres of land, beaches, and coastal waters and 750 miles of coastal land.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is a Florida government agency founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tallahassee. It manages and regulates the state's fish and wildlife resources, and enforces related laws. Officers are managers, researchers, and support personnel, and perform law enforcement in the course of their duties.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the Florida government agency responsible for environmental protection.
A conservation officer is a law enforcement officer who protects wildlife and the environment. A conservation officer may also be referred to as an environmental technician/technologist, game warden, park ranger, forest watcher, forest guard, forester, gamekeeper, investigator, wildernessofficer, wildlifeofficer, or wildlife trooper.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a government agency in the state of Maryland charged with maintaining natural resources including state parks, public lands, state forests, state waterways, wildlife, and recreation areas. Its headquarters is in Annapolis.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is a department within the government of Alaska. ADF&G's mission is to protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of the state, and manage their use and development in the best interest of the economy and the well-being of the people of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle. ADF&G manages approximately 750 active fisheries, 26 game management units, and 32 special areas. From resource policy to public education, the department considers public involvement essential to its mission and goals. The department is committed to working with tribes in Alaska and with a diverse group of State and Federal agencies. The department works cooperatively with various universities and nongovernmental organizations in formal and informal partnership arrangements, and assists local research or baseline environmental monitoring through citizen science programs.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state of Mississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, sometimes referred to as MassWildlife, is an agency of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. MassWildlife was founded as a state fisheries commission in 1866 in response to citizen concerns about the loss of Atlantic salmon to dams and pollution. The agency's activities are mainly supported by revenue from the sale of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, stamps and permits; returns from federal taxes on hunting and fishing equipment; various bond initiatives (primarily for land purchase. Additional funding is derived from voluntary donations from businesses, conservation organizations, and individuals.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) is a government agency in the executive branch state of Montana in the United States with responsibility for protecting sustainable fish, wildlife, and state-owned park resources in Montana for the purpose of providing recreational activities. The agency engages in law enforcement activities to enforce laws and regulations regarding fish, wildlife, and state parks, and encourages safe recreational use of these resources.
The Massachusetts Environmental Police is a Massachusetts, US, state government law enforcement agency, which is the primary enforcement agency of Massachusetts's boating and recreation vehicle laws and regulations and is responsible for registering boats, off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles in Massachusetts. The agency is also responsible for the enforcement of fish and game laws, including commercial and recreational harvesting of the living marine resources along the state's coastline.
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) is the U.S. State of South Dakota's state agency charged with the management of the state's public recreational and outdoor resources. The GFP manages the 13 state parks and 43 state recreation areas within the state parks system, totaling over 96,000 acres of public lands. The agency manages the hunting of game and the state's fisheries, manages several wildlife management areas and game production areas to restore or establish habitat for a variety of species. The agency conducts public outdoor education programs, typically focusing on hunting and boating safety. The department issues hunting and fishing licenses along with issuance of boat registrations. The agency is also charged with enforcement of fish and game laws, including invasive species regulations. The agency is headquartered in Pierre, South Dakota.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is the State of North Dakota's State agency charged with stewardship of the state's fish, game, and wildlife resources. The department sets fish and game regulations, including issuance of hunting and fishing licenses and enforcement of state regulations throughout the state. The department also enforces watercraft regulations and registration, along with enforcement of Invasive species laws.
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Functional Analysis and Records Disposition Authority 2002, held on file at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, also available online.
Alabama's Artificial Reef Program: A Brief History, available online.
The First 100 Years: 2007 Marks the 100th Anniversary of Alabama's Conservation Enforcement Officers, by Kevin Dodd, Outdoor Alabama magazine, October 2007.
Chronological List of ADNCR publications, held on file at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, also available online.
ADCNR 2007-08 Annual Report, online. [8]