The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) is an agency of the government of the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...

. While formerly known as the cabinet-level Department of Natural Resources, it is now part of the West Virginia Department of Commerce

West Virginia Department of Commerce

The West Virginia Department of Commerce is a government agency of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is responsible for overseeing West Virginia's economy, workforce, natural resources, and tourism and oversees nine subsidiary agencies.-Subsidiary agencies:...

. The WVDNR is responsible for wildlife management, hunting and fishing regulations, and boater safety and also oversees state parks and resorts. It also operates the West Virginia State Wildlife Center

West Virginia State Wildlife Center

The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a zoological park in French Creek, West Virginia. Operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Center displays many of West Virginia's wildlife, including both native and introduced species...

, a zoo in French Creek

French Creek, West Virginia

French Creek is an unincorporated community in Upshur County, West Virginia, USA.French Creek is 9½ miles south of the county seat, Buckhannon, West Virginia, on West Virginia Route 20. It is home to the West Virginia State Wildlife Center — formerly the "French Creek Game Farm" — a zoological park...

 that exhibits West Virginian wildlife http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/wildlifecenter.shtm.

Parks and Recreation Section

The Parks and Recreation Section is responsible for the operation of West Virginia's network of state parks, as well as recreation facilities located in some state forests and wildlife management areas.

Wildlife management areas

Wildlife Management Areas are managed by the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Section. These facilities are intended to provide opportunities for hunting and fishing within the state.

State Wildlife Center

The Wildlife Resources Section also operates the West Virginia State Wildlife Center

West Virginia State Wildlife Center

The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a zoological park in French Creek, West Virginia. Operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Center displays many of West Virginia's wildlife, including both native and introduced species...

 at French Creek

French Creek, West Virginia

French Creek is an unincorporated community in Upshur County, West Virginia, USA.French Creek is 9½ miles south of the county seat, Buckhannon, West Virginia, on West Virginia Route 20. It is home to the West Virginia State Wildlife Center — formerly the "French Creek Game Farm" — a zoological park...

, which is a zoological park exhibiting a variety of animals native to West Virginia.

Fish hatcheries

West Virginia began stocking fish in state waterways in the 1880s and has been operating its own fish hatcheries since 1930. Today, the Wildlife Resources Section operates a network of seven trout hatcheries and two warmwater fish hatcheries.

• Apple Grove Fish Hatchery (warm water)
• Bowden Fish Hatchery (trout)
• Edray Fish Hatchery (trout)
• Palestine Fish Hatchery (warm water)
• Petersburg Fish Hatchery (trout)
• Reeds Creek Fish Hatchery (trout)
• Ridge Fish Hatchery (trout)
• Spring Run Fish Hatchery (trout)
• Tate Lohr Fish Hatchery (trout)