Company Profile
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Company Overview
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands, DNR manages more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, conservation, and aquatic lands. Of these, more than half are held in trust to produce income to support public schools, universities, prisons, and other state institutions. These state trust lands managed by DNR provide other public benefits, including outdoor recreation, habitat for native fish and wildlife, and watersheds for clean water. Products produced from our managed lands include timber, shellfish, wheat, apples, and wine grapes, just to name a few.
We are Washington state's largest on-call fire department. Our 1,200 permanent and temporary employees fight fires on more than 13 million acres of private and state-owned forest lands. Our fire protection and safety equipment requirements help your local fire district respond to wildfires. We also work with the National Weather Service to provide the fire weather forecasts and fire precaution levels for you, the firefighters, forest landowners, and the forest industry.
Company History
Just prior to statehood, a cash-poor, land-rich federal government provided Washington with more than 3 million acres of land to build schools and other vital public institutions. Free public education was seen then, as it is now, as essential to American freedom, prosperity and happiness. Two square miles of every 36-square "township" were given to the young state of Washington to generate revenue for education.
In 1957, the legislature created the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage state trust lands for the people of Washington. Under the elected leadership of the Commissioner of Public Lands, DNR manages seven specific trusts to generate revenue and preserve forests, water, and habitat. DNR now manages 5.6 million acres of forest, range, agricultural, aquatic, and commercial lands for more than $200 million in annual financial benefit for public schools, state institutions, and county services.
Our mission: In partnership with citizens and governments, the Washington State DNR provides innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life.