Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Minnesota charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals, wildlife, and forestry. The agency is currently divided into seven sections Ecological Services, Enforcement, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Lands and Minerals, Trails and Waterways, and Waters. The agency was created in 1931 as the Department of Conservation. The Dept of Conservation was created to bring together four separate state entities: forestry, game and fish, drainage and waters, and lands and timber. The Great Depression years were key for the Department of Conservation. Federal unemployment programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps provided labor to construct building, clear trails and plant trees. Many of the building in Minnesota parks were built in this area. In 1971 the name of the agency was changed to the Minnesota Department of Resources.

The leaders of the DNR since it was formed in 1931:

• William T. Cox Aug. 20, 1931-Feb. 1933

• E.V. Willard (acting) Feb. 1933-Sept. 1933

• E.V. Willard Sept. 1933-July 1937

• Herman C. Wenzel July 1, 1937-April 26, 1939

• Lester R. Badger (acting) April 26, 1939-July 1939

• Lewis H. Merrill (acting) July 14, 1939-1939

• Williarm L. Strunk Feb. 1, 1940-Feb. 1, 1943

• E.V. Willard Feb. 1, 1943-March 16, 1943

• Chester S. Wilson March 16, 1943-March 15, 1955

• Clarence Prout (acting) March 15, 1955-May 1, 1955

• George A. Selke May 1, 1955-1960

• Clarence Prout Jan. 4, 1961-July 1, 1963

• Wayne H. Olson July 1, 1963-July 16, 1966

• Robert L. Herbst (acting) July 16, 1966-Feb. 14, 1967

• Jarle B. Leirfallom Jan. 20, 1967-Jan. 1971

• Robert L. Herbst Jan. 4, 1971-Feb. 16, 1977

• Michael C. O'Donnell (acting) Feb. 1977-June 30, 1977

• William B. Nye July 5, 1977-June 30, 1978

• Joseph N. Alexander July 1, 1978-Jan. 4, 1991

• Rodney W. Sando Jan. 3, 1991-Jan. 4, 1999

• Ronald Nargang (acting) Jan. 4, 1999-Jan. 13, 1999

• Alan Horner Jan. 13, 1999-Jan.19, 1999

• Raymond B. Hitchcock (acting) Jan. 20, 1999-Feb. 14, 1999

• Allen Garber Feb. 15, 1999-Jan. 3, 2003

• Brad Moore (acting) Jan. 6, 2003-Jan. 20, 2003

• Gene Merriam Jan. 27, 2003-Jan. 2, 2007

[edit] External links

• Official website for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

[edit] References

• History of the DNR
• About the DNR

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