The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) is an agency of the government of the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the ...

. While formerly known as the cabinet-level Department of Natural Resources, it is now part of the

West Virginia Department of Commerce West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bu ...

. The WVDNR is responsible for wildlife management, hunting and fishing regulations, and boater safety and also oversees state parks and resorts. It also operates the

West Virginia State Wildlife Center The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a zoological park in French Creek, West Virginia. Operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Center displays many of West Virginia's wildlife, including both native and ...

, a zoo in French Creek that exhibits West Virginian wildlife.

Sections

Law Enforcement Section

The Law Enforcement Section, known as the "West Virginia Natural Resources Police", is the oldest statewide law enforcement agency in West Virginia, established in February 1897. The Section is primarily responsible for the enforcement of the game and fish laws and rules. Officers in the section carry on a continuing program of Hunter Education and Boating Safety Education, as well as enforce laws relating to

litter Litter consists of waste products that have been discarded incorrectly, without consent, at an unsuitable location. Litter can also be used as a verb; to litter means to drop and leave objects, often man-made, such as aluminum cans, paper cups ...

ing, forestry, state parks, environmental/solid waste, pleasure boating, and whitewater rafting. They also respond to emergencies, including floods and other natural disasters, as well as provide assistance to the West Virginia State Police where necessary. The Natural Resources Police are maintained under Chapter 20, article 7 of the West Virginia Code.

Parks and Recreation Section

The Parks and Recreation Section is responsible for the operation of West Virginia's network of state parks, as well as recreation facilities located in some state forests and wildlife management areas.

Wildlife Resources Section

Wildlife management areas

Wildlife Management Areas are managed by the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Section. These facilities are intended to provide opportunities for hunting and fishing within the state.

State Wildlife Center

The Wildlife Resources Section also operates the

at French Creek, which is a

zoological park A zoo (short for zoological garden; also called an animal park or menagerie) is a facility in which animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes. The term ''zoological garden'' refers to zool ...

exhibiting a variety of animals native to West Virginia.

Fish hatcheries

West Virginia began stocking fish in state waterways in the 1880s and has been operating its own fish hatcheries since 1930. Today, the Wildlife Resources Section operates a network of seven trout hatcheries and two warmwater fish hatcheries. * Apple Grove Fish Hatchery (warm water)WVDNR Warmwater Hatchery Program, accessed April 12, 2008.
/ref> * Bowden Fish Hatchery (trout) * Edray Fish Hatchery (trout) * Palestine Fish Hatchery (warm water) * Petersburg Fish Hatchery (trout) * Reeds Creek Fish Hatchery (trout) * Ridge Fish Hatchery (trout) * Spring Run Fish Hatchery (trout) * Tate Lohr Fish Hatchery (trout)

References

External links

Official site
{{authority control State agencies of West Virginia State environmental protection agencies of the United States Natural resources agencies in the United States