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
littering, 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
West Virginia State Wildlife Center at
French Creek, which is a
zoological park 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) • 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==