This includes: 22 state parks, 23 public fishing lakes, three freshwater fish hatcheries, 34 wildlife management areas, two waterfowl refuges, two wildlife sanctuaries, a mariculture center with 35 ponds, and 645,000 acres (2,610 km2) of trust lands managed for the benefit of several state agencies, the General Fund and Alabama Trust Fund.
[1] In the early 1900s most of Alabama's peace officers were required by the state legislature to function as game and fish wardens in addition to their regular duties.
Sixty five non-salary officers were soon added, and by 1922 game wardens were salaried and hired through an examination and training process.
Since the magazine's inception it has profiled the state's wildlife, natural diversity, outdoor recreational opportunities and scenic beauty.
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is a law enforcement entity with police powers statewide.
Recent projects include an extensive effort to restore various aquatic mollusk populations in the state that have been in decline for various environmental reasons.
With approximately 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) of offshore waters included in the Alabama's Artificial Reef Program it is currently the largest in the United States.
The program is the product of a cooperative agreement between the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department's Marine Resources Division.
Started in 1953, the program continues to expand helping to reinforce the Gulf's natural aquatic diversity.
Park environments range from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian Mountains, which showcase the state's dynamic natural diversity.
The conservation education facility also serves as hub of outdoor recreation in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in South Alabama.
Since the establishment of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 7 officers have died in the line of duty.
[6] Chronological List of ADNCR publications, held on file at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, also available online.