State Resource Agency History

The Department of Natural Resources was created in 1927 (Chaptered 1928) combining under a single agency the state's interests in the fields of fish and game conservation, forestry, mining, parks, and resources management.

Under the 1927 law, four Divisions were specified: Fish and Game; Forestry; Mines and Mining; and Parks. A division of Oil and Gas was added in 1929 (Ch. 535).

Various divisional name changes occurred in succeeding years and additional programs in recreation and soil conservation were added. Fish and Game attained separate departmental status in 1951 (Ch. 195). The Department of Natural Resources was reorganized in 1961 and renamed as the Department of Conservation (Ch. 2037).

The same law created a new Department of Parks and Recreation in 1961.