The Wisconsin Conservation Department was created in 1927 to carry on the operating
functions of the Wisconsin Conservation Commission. This commission had been created under
Chapter 406, Laws of 1915 to consolidate the activities of a number of more specialized
state conversation agencies dating from the late nineteenth century. These included the
Commissioners of Fisheries, Fish and Game Wardens, Board of Forestry and the Park Board.
Initially, the full-time commissioners exercised responsibility both for policy-making and
for the administration of conservation programs.
In 1927 (Chapter 426), the commission became a part-time board exclusively devoted to
setting conservation policy while the administrative functions were delegated to the
Wisconsin Conservation Department. Under Section 23.09 of the statutes the new department
and commission was directed "to provide an adequate and flexible system for the protection,
development and use of forests, fish and game, lakes, streams, and plant life, flowers and
other outdoor resources in the state of Wisconsin." The department's major functions
included the management of fish and game resources, forest lands, park and recreation areas,
as well as educational and advertising activities. In 1959, the development and planning
activities were vested in a new Department of Resource Development. Water pollution control
functions were added to this department in 1965.
The 1967 executive branch reorganization act brought together the traditional conservation
tasks and emerging environmental protection responsibilities. The result was the merger of
the Conservation Department with the Department of Resource Development, creating the
current Department of Natural Resources. The commission was abolished and oversight of the
new department became the responsibility of the part-time Natural Resources Board.
See each Agency's History in the catalog:
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Wisconsin. State
Conservation Commission
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Wisconsin.
Conservation Department
