The Utah Department of Natural Resources helps ensure the quality of life of Utah residents by managing and protecting the state's natural resources by:
- Enhancing the certainty and security of Utah’s water
- Improving the health and resilience of our lands, resources, watersheds and wildlife
- Advancing the stewardship of our public lands and natural history
- Elevating outdoor recreation
- Expanding Utah’s energy and minerals portfolio
The department includes eight divisions: State Parks; Outdoor Recreation (separated from State Parks in 2021 into its own division); Oil, Gas and Mining; Forestry, Fire and State Lands; Water Resources; Water Rights; Wildlife Resources; Utah Geological Survey. And two offices were added in 2021 to provide closer collaboration: Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office; and the Office of Energy Development.
DNR protects Utah's natural resources through active management, which includes engaging state, county and local officials; collaborating with community members, organizations and groups and coordinating with our federal partners. Active management of resources like watersheds, wildlife, oil and gas, minerals and water, allows the state to forecast challenges, solve complex opportunities and anticipate and meet future needs.
Phragmites removal from the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake is critical to to maintaining healthy ecosystems
The Division of Wildlife Resources manages several wildlife areas, including Hardware Ranch near Logan, Utah
This process is evident in Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative, which has led to the restoration of nearly 1.5 million acres of land making it more resistant to catastrophic wildfire, improving it's water quality and quantity, enhancing forage for livestock and wildlife and helping keep sensitive species from being listed as endangered.
Decreased water use is also critical to Utah if it's to meet the future needs and population growth of the state. Regional water conservation goals that are targeted to nine areas around the state replaced the previous statewide goal of cutting water use 25% by 2025. This is happening by working closely with water conservancy districts to "Slow the Flow." DNR's commitment is evident in a number of other programs, including catastrophic fire reduction, sage-grouse management, hunting and fishing, outdoor recreation and responsible development of oil and gas.Were you looking for either the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service?
Both agencies are considered two of our partners and are run through the federal government. They are not affiliated with the Utah Department of Natural Resources. We do, however, work closely with them on many different issues. Feel free to link to BLM and Forest Service field offices from here. You can also reach the BLM at 801-977-4300 and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest at 801-733-2660
Water is the Watershed Restoration Initiative?
The Utah Department of Natural Resources manages the state's Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI). It's a partnership based program that included over 120 state, federal and private sources, including the Utah Legislature, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Services, U.S. Forest Service, sportsmen groups, private land owners, oil and gas companies, private foundations and public land grazers. The initiative is designed to increase watershed water quality and guarantee, decrease catastrophic wildfire risk and improve wildlife habitat and livestock forage. The program is in its 12th year.
Is water conservation important to the department and state?
Absolutely. Utah's population is expected to double during the next 30 to 40 years. Water conservation plays a critical role in meeting future needs, but it's not the only solution. Meeting future needs will also require improving the efficiency of our current water infrastructure and responsible development new resources. Regional water conservation goals were adopted in 2019. These goals are created for nine regions around the state and take into account climate, elevation, and each region’s unique characteristics and needs. Through Utah's Slow the Flow campaign, and in partnership with state water conservancy districts, Utahns are learning to make changes to stretch this critical resource. DNR, through the Utah Division of Water Resources, is currently working on implementing the regional conservation goals. We're committed to working closely with state agencies, county and local governments, conservancy districts, local businesses and Utah families to continue our conservation efforts.
What is the Endangered Species Mitigation Fund?
The Endangered Species Mitigation Fund (ESMF) is a state program created during the general session of the 1997 State Legislature (Utah Code 63-34-14) that is administered by DNR. The purpose of the ESMF is to provide funding to facilitate conservation of fish and wildlife species and their habitats in greatest need of protection.
How do I reserve a campground?
Campgrounds at Utah's 43 state parks are managed through the Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation. Where possible we recommend you schedule your stay at least three months in advance. This will give you the best opportunity to schedule the specific camp site, cabin or yurt you're looking for. Visit Utah State Parks for reservations.
How do I buy a hunting or fishing license?
Both hunting and fishing licenses are managed through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Contact DWR for more information.
Roger Lewis became the Finance Director for DNR in April of 2017. His primary responsibilities include managing DNR’s finances and coordinating budgeting and accounting activities with DNR’s seven divisions. Lewis also oversees the internal audit function of the department.
Tyler Thompson has worked for DNR since 1997 starting his career as a seasonal employee collecting vegetation trend data for DNR’s Division of Wildlife Resources Range trend program. Since this time, Tyler has worked as a research biologist in the development of new grass and forb seed releases and as one of the first restoration biologists hired to implement projects in southern Utah funded through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative (UWRI). For the last decade, Tyler has been a part of WRI’s statewide administration staff. In that position, Tyler helped find matching funding for WRI projects and administered the incoming and outgoing funding contracts to help get project dollars on the ground each year. In January of 2017, Tyler was selected as DNR’s watershed program director. Tyler coordinates and manages WRI through five regional teams that submit and review over 150 restoration projects each year. WRI completes nearly 100,000 acres of restoration work each year in Utah.
Todd Royce currently serves as the DNR law enforcement director and joined the department in 2018. Royce works closely with DNR division leadership and section chiefs to oversee the public safety efforts of DNR law enforcement, including wildlife conservation officers and state park rangers.