Wisconsin. State Conservation Commission

A State Conservation Commission was first established by Chapter 644, Laws of 1911, as an uncompensated advisory body. The functions of the Board of Forestry (WIHV95-A528), the Fish and Game Warden, the State Park Board (WIHV95-A527), and the Commissioners of Fisheries (WIHV87-A1630) were consolidated and vested in a new State Conservation Commission under Chapter 406, Laws of 1915. Initially, the full-time commissioners exercised responsibility both for policy-making and for the administration of conservation programs. In 1927, the Commission became a part-time board exclusively devoted to setting conservation policy. Administration of conservation programs fell to the Conservation Department (WIHV86-A1163). When the Conservation Department was merged into the new Department of Natural Resources (WIHV85-A695) in 1967, the Commission was abolished. Oversight of the new department became the responsibility of the Natural Resources Board (WIHV86-A970).