The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a Minnesota State-based organization that is responsible for the preserving and running of all the natural resources in the state. It is in charge of taking care of the forests, trails, parks, leisure areas, and leisure trails of the state. All the mineral resources found in this state are monitored by this agency, in combination with its forestry and wildlife.
How It Began It all began in 1876, when initial attempts were made towards preserving the wildlife within the state of Minnesota. Within this period an agency was placed in charge of the timber, and another effort was made towards inhibiting the damage of the natural assets which all yielded no results. The first productive service to preserve the forests via the inhibition and safety against fire was formed in 1911 called the Minnesota Forest Service. In 1931, the Department of Conservation, an agency empowered to take care of the natural
resources in the state was formed by the Minnesota Legislature. Other sectors like tourist bureau, parks, forestry, drainage and water and others were included in the package of this department. The Department of Conservation played a very vital role during the great depression, it was able to help the citizen to get jobs by giving them work to plant trees, build and also clear trails. This really assisted the people with income through the collaboration of this agency with other Federal programs like the Works Progress Administration.
There are some of those buildings still existing currently at the State’s park. Because the scope of the divisions and sections handled by the Department of Conservation increased to cover a lot, its name was changed to the Department of Natural Resources in 1971. This was necessitated to depict the relevance of all divisions and sections covered.
Divisions of the Department of Natural Resources This was the first division created in 1911 called the Minnesota Forest Service. Its main goal is that through land, forest and fire maintenance the forests are kept healthy always. This division existed before the Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation that was before it. This continues to still be part of the DNR division, taking care of state forests like Badoura, Big Fork, Cloquet Valley, Emily, Foot Hills, George Washington, Lake Isabella state forests, and much more.
Parks and Trails In 1935, this branch became a division on its own while under the Department of Conservation, but it
was previously with the Minnesota Forestry Service. It is laden with the responsibility to conserve cultural and natural resources, allow tourists to have fun in all its parks, and then to teach all tourists of the 73 parks of the state. The DNR managed state parks and recreation areas include Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and the yurts provided throughout the state. It also manages the Itasca State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park and the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to name a few.
These are the three main responsibilities of this division of the DNR. They exist to help everyone enjoy and know the precious resources that have been passed down to them from one generation. They periodically release access maps of waterways, snowmobile trail, trails, rivers, off highway vehicle trial, and other maps that are very helpful to tourists and natives as well.
Ecological and Water Resources This division engages in the research of all ecosystems in the state. After research, the data retrieved is investigated to draw reasonable conclusions on the workings of the ecosystem, and its relevance and essentials to those residing in the state of Minnesota. They also search for and take care of the species that about to be extinct, along with other entities that will help prolong the existence of the fatal species. These animals are preserved to maintain their lifespan and forth coming generations. The Ecological and Water Resources department are also responsible for protecting the Ecosystem and prevention of any upcoming dangers that might want to affect it in any way. Dangers such as predators, diseases, and human industrial and other pollutants that might be harmful in any way to the ecological system are prevented.
The biggest portfolio with this division is the Nongame Wildlife Program of the State that ensures the preservation of all non-hunted creatures. They also take care of all the waters, rivers, and all water ways in Minnesota. This is one of the largest branches within the Department of Natural Resources. Enforcement
This is the law enforcement division of the Department of Natural Resources. They are empowered to instill the strict observance of all the laws of this department. With this division the public and all citizens of the state obey the DNR laws. They previously belonged to the Fish and Game division before becoming a stand-alone division. They are also responsible for providing general safety training to all citizens. All the laws of all the other divisions are enforced into strict compliance. With their activities all the species in the environment are protected, because all citizens obey animal protection laws enforced by this division.
Fish and Wildlife The Fish and Wildlife division which was formerly called the Fish and Game Division was part of the first Department of Conservation. Its main responsibility is to make sure all wildlife and fish within the state are preserved and protected. All pieces of real estate purchased by the Department of Natural Resources are maintained by this department as well. They are also laden with the issuance of licenses and registration of leisure vehicles within the State of Minnesota.