Alabama

Wildlife mandate in statute:

“The general functions and duties of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall be as follows: (1) To protect, conserve, and increase the wildlife of the state and to administer all laws relating to wildlife and the protection, conservation, and increase thereof. (2) To make exploration, surveys, studies, and reports concerning the wildlife, state parks and monuments and historical sites in the state and to publish such thereof as will be of general interest. (3) To maintain, supervise, operate, and control all state parks, monuments and historical sites, except Mound State Monument and the First White House of the Confederacy; the serving and employing of attendants for all monuments and historical sites located on state-owned property in the City of Montgomery shall be performed by the Department of Finance. (4) To maintain, supervise, operate, and control all state lands other than those specifically committed to the use or control of some other department, board, bureau, commission, agency, office, or institution of the state… (6) To carry on a program of education and public enlightenment with respect to the wildlife and other natural resources, state parks and the monuments and historical sites of Alabama… (8) To recommend to the Legislature such legislation as may be needed further to protect, conserve, increase, or to make available or useful the wildlife and other natural resources, state parks and the monuments and historical sites of Alabama.”

The Commission:

  • Name: Alabama Conservation Advisory Board
  • Regulatory or advisory: Hybrid
  • Number of voting members: 10
  • Term length: 6 years
  • How selected: Appointed by Governor
  • Senate confirmation required: No
  • Selection criteria per statute

“The appointed members of the board shall be selected with special reference to training and experience along one or more of the principal lines of activity vested in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources…One member of the board is a resident of each congressional district…and no more than two members are residents of the same congressional district.”

  • From the Commission’s website

“The Advisory Board assists in formulating policies for the Department of Conservation, examines all rules and regulations and makes recommendations for their change or amendment. By a two-thirds vote of the members present and with the governor’s approval, the Board can amend, make any changes, repeal or create and promulgate additional rules and regulations. The Board also assists in publicizing the department’s programs and activities.”

The Agency:

  • Name: Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
  • Type: Subagency within the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 
  • Title of Agency Director: Commissioner
  • Selection process: Appointed by Governor
  • Mission statement from agency website:

“The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is charged by law to protect, manage and enhance the state’s fish and wildlife resources.”

Revenues for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (2021):

Source: email from Fred R. Harders, Assistant Director, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division (2021)

Find Your State

America’s Wildlife Values was an extensive 2018 nationwide survey led by Colorado State University of public attitudes towards wildlife. Findings were compared with a 2004 survey to identify trends. Researchers also surveyed personnel at state wildlife agencies. Reports are available for national, state and agency results. (Some state agencies did not participate.)

State Report

National Report