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: Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Aquatic Resources Division - ard@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1100, fax: 360-902-1786
MS 47027, Olympia, WA 98504-47027  
DNR is the steward of more than 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands and manages them to ensure environmental protection, foster water dependent uses and encourages public access, as well as the ability to use natural resources such as shellfish.

 

Statewide Recreation - recreation@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1600

MS 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014

 

Recreation and Conservation Division - naturalareas@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1600, fax: 360-902-1789

MS 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014

 

Engineering and General Services Division - egsd@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1200, fax: 360-902-1778

MS 47030, Olympia, WA 98504-7030

 

Financial Management Division - fmd@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1250, fax: 360-902-1780
MS 47041, Olympia, WA 98504-7041

 

Forest Resiliency Division - wd@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1300, fax: 360-902-1757

MS 47037, Olympia, WA 98504-7016

DNR is working to make forests across the state healthier, and in turn, more resilient to wildfires, climate change, drought, insects, and diseases. This work is part of the agency’s Forest Action Plan and its 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan to reduce wildfire risk, boost rural economies, and improve the health of more than 1.25 million acres of Washington forests through partnerships with state and federal agencies, tribes, and private and commercial landowners.

 

Forest Regulation Division - fpd@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1400, fax: 360-902-1428        
MS 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012

DNR oversees the activities of private property owners interested in harvesting timber, building or repairing forest roads or culverts, or thinning their forests. The division provides resources and monitors compliance to help protect public safety and the environment.

 

Forest Resources Division - frcd@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1600, fax: 360-902-1789
MS 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7016

DNR manages the state trust lands and forests to generate healthy forests and sustained revenue for the trustees of Washington.

 

Human Resources Division - hrd@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1150. fax: 360-902-1777        
MS 47033, Olympia, WA 98504-7033

 

Information Technology Division - itd@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1500, fax: 360-902-1790         
MS 47020, Olympia, WA 98504-7020

 

Natural Resources Police - 
360-902-1625 or 360-902-1698, fax: 360-902-1789         
MS 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014

DNR's natural resources police officers work to ensure safety, protect state assets and the environment by checking permits, enforcing laws, investigating accidents and wildfires, preventing natural resource theft, and working with local law enforcement authorities.

 

Office of Budget and Economics - obe@dnr.wa.gov

360-902-1730, fax: 360-902-1775
MS 47001, Olympia, WA 98504-7001

 

Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands - cpl@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1004, fax: 360-902-1775    
MS 47001, Olympia, WA 98504-7001

Every four years the people of Washington elect a Commissioner of Public Lands to oversee 3 million acres of publicly owned lands, DNR's $312 million annual budget, and widely diverse programs.

 

Product Sales and Leasing Division - mld@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1600, fax: 360-902-1789    
MS 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7016

 

Washington Geological Survey - geology@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1450, fax: 360-902-1785 
MS 47007, Olympia, WA 98504-7007

DNR monitors, assess, and informs the public, planners, and municipal officials about the known risks associated with Washington's earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes to reduce the human and financial costs of natural disasters.

 

Wildland Fire Management Division - wd@dnr.wa.gov
360-902-1300, fax: 360-902-1757        
MS 47037, Olympia, WA 98504-7037

Across Washington's landscapes, DNR works to minimize the destruction that wildfires can cause. This division provides resources to local fire districts, manages wildfire prevention programs, sets fire precaution levels, and operates the State of Washington’s largest on-call fire department.

Natural Resources Building

MS 47000, Olympia, WA 98504
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98504