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Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources
| Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $189,610 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $435,330,357 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Authority: | Code of Alabama, Section 9-2-5 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources
Christopher Blankenship | |
| Other Alabama Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources is a state executive position in the Alabama government. The commissioner is chief executive of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which is responsible for maintaining Alabama's 22 state parks, 23 fishing lakes, 34 wildlife management areas and other land belonging to the state. He carries out the governor's directives and executes any laws related to state land or wildlife management.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources is Christopher Blankenship (nonpartisan). Blankenship assumed office in 2017.
Authority
The commissioner's office is established by statute, not the state constitution. It was originally introduced in 1939.[2]
Code of Alabama, Section 9-2-5
| The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall be headed by and shall be under the direction, supervision and control of an officer who shall be known and designated as the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. |
Qualifications
The commissioner, before assuming office, must deposit a bond worth no less than $10,000, "conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties." He or she must also devote their full time to the office, and may not hold any other government position while serving as commissioner. Additionally, the commissioner may not hold any private position that could present a conflict of interest with their official duties.[2]
Code of Alabama, Section 9-2-5
| Before entering upon the discharge of his duties, the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall take the constitutional oath of office and shall give bond in such penalty as may be fixed by the Governor, but such penalty shall not be less than $10,000.00 conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties. The premiums on such bond shall be paid out of the State Treasury. The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall devote full time to his office and shall not hold another office under the government of the United States or under any other state or of this state or any political subdivision thereof during his incumbency in such office, and shall not hold any position of trust or profit or engage in any occupation or business the conduct of which shall interfere or be inconsistent with his duties as Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources under the provisions of this title. |
Appointments
The commissioner is appointed by the governor and serves at his pleasure.[2]
Term limits
The commissioner does not face any term limits.
Vacancies
Vacancies are filled "in the same manner as original appointments are made," i.e. by the governor.[2]
Duties
State law states the commissioner is "the advisor of the Governor and the Legislature in matters relating to the wildlife and other natural resources," and that he is "responsible to the Governor for the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources," as its chief executive.[2]
Under the leadership of the commissioner, the department is charged with protecting, conserving and increasing the wildlife of the state, as well as surveying and studying it. It also implements policies and recommends laws that "make available or useful the wildlife and other natural resources." One example is the "Forever Wild" program, under which the department purchases land for general recreation, nature preserves, state parks, etc. The department also regulates hunting and fishing activity through licensing, the establishment of seasons and similar policies. Further, it supervises the state's parks, monuments and historical sites.
In addition to his or her role as custodian of the state's land and wildlife, the commissioner is charged with "[carrying] on a program of education and public enlightenment with respect to the wildlife and other natural resources." He must also make an annual report to the governor concerning his department.[3]
Divisions
As of January 5, 2021, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources includes four divisions.[4]
- Marine Resources
- State Lands
- State Parks
- Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
State budget
- See also: Alabama state budget and finances
The budget for the Alabama Department of Conservation in Fiscal Year 2025 was $435,330,357.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $189,610, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $176,286, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $180,989, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $178,819, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $141,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $141,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $141,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $141,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $141,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner was paid an estimated $141,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2012
In 2012, the commissioner was paid an estimated $141,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Alabama Commissioner Conservation Natural Resources. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact info
Physical address:
64 N. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: (334) 242-3486
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, "About the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Code of Alabama, "Section 9-2-5," accessed January 4, 2021
- ↑ Code of Alabama, "Section 9-2-2," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Outdoor Alabama, "About the Alabama Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Alabama Department of Finance, "Act 2024-355," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 5, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
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