OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1949. Its main mission is to ensure a balance between the wise use and protection of Ohio’s natural resources for the benefit of everyone. Since managing Ohio’s natural resources is one the department’s primary responsibilities, the ODNR is actively involved in sustaining the productivity of the state’s renewable natural resources and the promotion of the wise use of non-renewable resources. The department is also responsible for the protection of Ohio’s threatened and endangered natural resources.

The department has eleven divisions actively involved in resource management. Each division has its own mandate and responsibilities. Nevertheless, they often collaborate on various natural resource management projects to achieve similar objectives. The state’s Department of Natural Resources also takes care of Ohio’s numerous forests, nature preserves, parks and wildlife areas in order to provide people a place for leisure and recreational activities.

The ODNR is also dedicated to protect the health and safety of Ohio’s citizens. The department has several divisions that are in charge of enforcing regulations, providing law enforcement and responding to and treating hazardous situations or substances.

The ODNR has a series of community assistance programs available. Every division within the department has different grants available. As an example, the Division of Mineral Resources Management a grant awarded to those who would use the funds to cleanup watersheds impacted by acid mine drainage. On the other hand, the Division of Wildlife has a grassland restoration program which aims to fund projects that turn pastures back to prairies in selected Ohio counties.

The Department of Natural Resources is also responsible for issuing and regulating hunting and fishing licenses within Ohio. They are also responsible for implementing the laws on hunting, fishing and boating as well as for the protection of its natural resources. For example, its Division of Natural Areas administers the Natural Heritage Database and the Endangered Plant Law. Meanwhile, the Division of Wildlife takes care of fish management and wildlife management.

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