Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is the U.S. state of Alabama's government agency responsible for maintaining and preserving state parks, wildlife, and aquatic resources, as well as issuing hunting and fishing licenses. The five operational divisions within the Department are Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. The Administrative Division provides support services for the five operational divisions. Its commissioner is M. Barnett Lawley, and its headsquarters are in Montgomery, Alabama. [http://www.dcnr.alabama.gov/ Outdoor Alabama - Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]

=Overall scope of operations=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 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 Progam and provides public education resources.http://www.dcnr.alabama.gov/about/05-06_AnnualReport.pdf - 2005-06 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Annual Report]

Marine Police Division

The Marine Polic Division patrols public waterways, supervises the registration of non-commercial boats and boat operator licensing, and provides public education. The Marine Police Division is a law enforecement entity with police powers statewide. [http://www.dcnr.alabama.gov/about/marine-police.cfm - Alabama DNR; Marine Police]

Marine Resources Division

The Marine Resources Division manages state marine resources through research and enforcement programs.... http://www.dcnr.alabama.gov/about/ Alabama DNR; About Us]

tate Lands Division

The State Lands Division manages undeveloped state-owned land, most of which is held in trust for specific public purposes. [http://www.dcnr.alabama.gov/public-lands/stateLands/ Alabama DNR; State Lands]

tate Parks Division

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, managaing those areas for public benefit, and educating the public of Alabama's environment.

Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division

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 enforecement entity with police powers statewide.

Administrative Division

The Administrative Division provides support services such as human resources, legal, and payrole to the operating divisions.

=References=

=External links= [http://www.outdooralabama.com/ "Outdoor" Alabama - Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]