Created in 1969, the Department of Natural Resources resulted from the combination of functions of the State Board of Conservation; the Canal Authority; the Commission on Marine Sciences and Technology; the Florida Keys Aqueduct Commission; the Board of Parks and Historic Memorials; the Outdoor Recreational Development Council; the Board of Drainage Commissioners; and the Suwannee River Development Authority. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund was incorporated into the Department of Natural Resources in 1975. The Department merged with the Department of Environmental Regulation to form the Department of Environmental Protection in 1993.
The series in the Department of Natural Resources record group are divided into Administrative Files, Cabinet Records, Program Files, and Audio and Visual Records. The series under Cabinet Records and Project Files are arranged alphabetically by series title. The series under Administrative Files are arranged chronologically by the years in office of executive directors, then assistant directors.
The series in the Department of Natural Resources record group are divided into Administrative Files, Cabinet Records, Program Files, and Audio and Visual Records. The series under Cabinet Records and Project Files are arranged alphabetically by series title. The series under Administrative Files are arranged chronologically by the years in office of executive directors, then assistant directors.
Administrative Files
Executive Director Randolph Hodges Administrative Files, 1961-1971 (Series S1163)
The series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, regulations, surveys, maps, and budget files. The records document the conservation of Florida's natural resources, development of water resources, coastal zone management, fishery management, and environmental policy.
Extent: 27 cubic feet
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Executive Director Harmon Shields Administrative Files, 1969-1978 (Series S1162)
This series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, and publications about the conservation of Florida's natural resources, development of water resources, control of state lands, coastal zone management, fishery management, and environmental policy.
Extent: 23 cubic feet
Arrangement: Unarranged
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Executive Director Elton Gissendanner Administrative Files, 1979-1982 (Series S1045)
The series contains reports, memoranda, correspondence, and publications, and covers topics on the conservation of Florida's natural resources, development of water resources, control of state lands, coastal zone management, fishery management, and environmental policy.
Extent: 50.75 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological by year, then alphabetical by subject
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Assistant Director Jervey Kelly Administrative Files, 1962-1974 (Series S1237)
This series contains reports, studies, and maps on water management programs in Florida, covering topics on the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the development of Estero Bay, and the Kissimmee River channelization. Jervey Kelly initiated and directed the coastal survey and mapping program in Florida, the first of its kind in the United States.
Extent: 18 cubic feet
Arrangement: By record type
Finding Aid: Box listing
The series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, regulations, surveys, maps, and budget files. The records document the conservation of Florida's natural resources, development of water resources, coastal zone management, fishery management, and environmental policy.
Extent: 27 cubic feet
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Executive Director Harmon Shields Administrative Files, 1969-1978 (Series S1162)
This series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, and publications about the conservation of Florida's natural resources, development of water resources, control of state lands, coastal zone management, fishery management, and environmental policy.
Extent: 23 cubic feet
Arrangement: Unarranged
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Executive Director Elton Gissendanner Administrative Files, 1979-1982 (Series S1045)
The series contains reports, memoranda, correspondence, and publications, and covers topics on the conservation of Florida's natural resources, development of water resources, control of state lands, coastal zone management, fishery management, and environmental policy.
Extent: 50.75 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological by year, then alphabetical by subject
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Assistant Director Jervey Kelly Administrative Files, 1962-1974 (Series S1237)
This series contains reports, studies, and maps on water management programs in Florida, covering topics on the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the development of Estero Bay, and the Kissimmee River channelization. Jervey Kelly initiated and directed the coastal survey and mapping program in Florida, the first of its kind in the United States.
Extent: 18 cubic feet
Arrangement: By record type
Finding Aid: Box listing
Cabinet Records
Cabinet Agenda, 1973-1985 (Series S541)
This series contains the cabinet agendas, attachments, supporting materials, memoranda, and correspondence of the Executive Directors of the Department of Natural Resources. The series documents the activities of the Department and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, including topics on the conservation and management of natural resources, development of water resources, control of state lands, and environmental policy.
Created in 1969, the Department of Natural Resources resulted from the combination of functions of the State Board of Conservation; the Canal Authority; the Commission on Marine Sciences and Technology; the Florida Keys Aqueduct Commission; the Board of Parks and Historic Memorials; the Outdoor Recreational Development Council; the Board of Drainage Commissioners; and the Suwannee River Development Authority. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund was incorporated into the Department of Natural Resources in 1975. The Department merged with the Department of Environmental Regulation to form the Department of Environmental Protection in 1993.
Extent: 35.60 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological
Finding Aid: Box listing
Cabinet Transcripts, 1983-1988 (Series S1503)
The series documents the topics of discussion and decisions made by the Cabinet, which includes issues such as the conservation of Florida's natural resources, coastal zone management, water resources development, and environmental policy.
Extent: 2 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Additional Resources: Series S184, Cabinet Meeting Official Records, 1966-2010, contains the cabinet meeting official records maintained by the Department of State from 1966 to the present, except from February 1984 to June 1986. Series S1394, Cabinet Meeting Audio Recordings, 1966-2002, contains the audio recordings of the Cabinet meetings.
This series contains the cabinet agendas, attachments, supporting materials, memoranda, and correspondence of the Executive Directors of the Department of Natural Resources. The series documents the activities of the Department and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, including topics on the conservation and management of natural resources, development of water resources, control of state lands, and environmental policy.
Created in 1969, the Department of Natural Resources resulted from the combination of functions of the State Board of Conservation; the Canal Authority; the Commission on Marine Sciences and Technology; the Florida Keys Aqueduct Commission; the Board of Parks and Historic Memorials; the Outdoor Recreational Development Council; the Board of Drainage Commissioners; and the Suwannee River Development Authority. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund was incorporated into the Department of Natural Resources in 1975. The Department merged with the Department of Environmental Regulation to form the Department of Environmental Protection in 1993.
Extent: 35.60 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological
Finding Aid: Box listing
Cabinet Transcripts, 1983-1988 (Series S1503)
The series documents the topics of discussion and decisions made by the Cabinet, which includes issues such as the conservation of Florida's natural resources, coastal zone management, water resources development, and environmental policy.
Extent: 2 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Additional Resources: Series S184, Cabinet Meeting Official Records, 1966-2010, contains the cabinet meeting official records maintained by the Department of State from 1966 to the present, except from February 1984 to June 1986. Series S1394, Cabinet Meeting Audio Recordings, 1966-2002, contains the audio recordings of the Cabinet meetings.
Program Files
Conservation and Recreation Lands Project Proposal and Land Acquisition Files, 1972-1990 (Series S1621)
The series documents the land acquisition projects and activities connected with the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program, the successor program to the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. The program allowed the State of Florida to purchase endangered or environmentally damaged areas for use as natural resource preserves or recreation areas. The series contains correspondence, memoranda, land acquisition project proposals and summaries, project evaluations, land surveys and deeds, leases, maps, and photographs of endangered or damaged lands under consideration for acquisition.
Extent: 40 cubic feet
Arrangement: Organized into two main sequences of project files; Arranged numerically by agency-assigned project number
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Project Proposal and Land Acquisition Files, 1968-1983 (Series S1620)
The series documents the land acquisition projects and activities connected with the Environmentally Endangered Lands Acquisition Program (EEL), which the state sought to purchase endangered or environmentally damaged areas for use as natural resource preserves or recreation areas. The series contains correspondence and memoranda; land acquisition project proposals and summaries; project evaluations; reports, minutes of meetings, agenda, and meeting background materials of the Interagency Advisory Committee (IAC); land surveys and deeds; leases; maps; and photographs of endangered or damaged lands under consideration for acquisition.
Extent: 66 cubic feet
Arrangement: Alphabetical by county name, then alphabetical by project name
Finding Aid: Box listing
Additional Resources: Series S1621, Conservation and Recreation Lands Project Proposal and Land Acquisition Files, documents projects which were part of the successor program to the EEL program.
Interama Land Use Records, 1972-1985, (bulk 1975-1980) (Series S1926)
The Inter-American Center Authority (Interama) was created in 1951 (Ch. 26614, Laws) as a corporate agency of the State of Florida to plan, finance, construct, operate, and maintain an Inter-American Cultural and Trade Center in Miami, Dade County, Florida. The Authority was abolished before the project, which would be a permanent international exposition providing cultural, educational, and trade activities combining the features of an amusement park, world's fair, and trade fair, was completed.
In 1976, the land was transferred to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund, which merged with the Department of Natural Resources that same year. A portion of ht eland was leased to the Division of Recreation and Parks for use as a public recreation area. After more land was leased to the Division in 1980, the Oleta River State Recreation Area was created.
This series documents the use of the former Interama land by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), resulting in the creation of Oleta River State Park. It includes land use requests, abstracts of titles, deeds, conceptual plans, agreements, newspaper clippings, and correspondence. The records document the challenges to the land's usage and ownership, development of DNR's land management and recreation plans, and the final dissolution of the Interama project.
Extent: 2.0 cubic feet
Arrangement: Arranged by subject
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Key Largo Land Use Feasibility Study Correspondence, Report, and Background Files, 1978-1991 (Series S1600)
The series documents the development of reports on Key Largo land use plans and recommendations by the Department of Natural Resources. The study was intended to be the basis for future planning for the North Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Site and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The series includes correspondence; agenda and minutes of committee and cabinet meetings at which issues under study were discussed; and study reports from 1989, 1990, and 1991.
Extent: 0.66 cubic feet
Arrangement: Arranged by record type or topic
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Land Management Advisory Committee (LMAC) Meeting Files, 1983-1989 (Series S1561)
The series documents the committee decisions regarding land management plans and includes meeting minutes or summaries and background materials including tract maps and descriptions.
Extent: 2 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological by meeting date
Finding Aid: Folder listing
State and Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Program Administration Records, 1968-1984 (Series S1673)
The series documents the activities of Department of Natural Resources in studying and designating as scenic or wild selected rivers or segments of rivers in Florida as a part of the state and federal river designation program. The series includes administrative files and individual site files containing correspondence and memoranda of Department staff and members of study teams and advisory committees; site maps; land use classification maps; land ownership records; legal boundary descriptions; water analysis data; and draft reports and river studies.
Extent: 1.33 cubic feet
Arrangement: Arranged by river or record type
Finding Aid: Folder listing
The series documents the land acquisition projects and activities connected with the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program, the successor program to the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. The program allowed the State of Florida to purchase endangered or environmentally damaged areas for use as natural resource preserves or recreation areas. The series contains correspondence, memoranda, land acquisition project proposals and summaries, project evaluations, land surveys and deeds, leases, maps, and photographs of endangered or damaged lands under consideration for acquisition.
Extent: 40 cubic feet
Arrangement: Organized into two main sequences of project files; Arranged numerically by agency-assigned project number
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Project Proposal and Land Acquisition Files, 1968-1983 (Series S1620)
The series documents the land acquisition projects and activities connected with the Environmentally Endangered Lands Acquisition Program (EEL), which the state sought to purchase endangered or environmentally damaged areas for use as natural resource preserves or recreation areas. The series contains correspondence and memoranda; land acquisition project proposals and summaries; project evaluations; reports, minutes of meetings, agenda, and meeting background materials of the Interagency Advisory Committee (IAC); land surveys and deeds; leases; maps; and photographs of endangered or damaged lands under consideration for acquisition.
Extent: 66 cubic feet
Arrangement: Alphabetical by county name, then alphabetical by project name
Finding Aid: Box listing
Additional Resources: Series S1621, Conservation and Recreation Lands Project Proposal and Land Acquisition Files, documents projects which were part of the successor program to the EEL program.
Interama Land Use Records, 1972-1985, (bulk 1975-1980) (Series S1926)
The Inter-American Center Authority (Interama) was created in 1951 (Ch. 26614, Laws) as a corporate agency of the State of Florida to plan, finance, construct, operate, and maintain an Inter-American Cultural and Trade Center in Miami, Dade County, Florida. The Authority was abolished before the project, which would be a permanent international exposition providing cultural, educational, and trade activities combining the features of an amusement park, world's fair, and trade fair, was completed.
In 1976, the land was transferred to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund, which merged with the Department of Natural Resources that same year. A portion of ht eland was leased to the Division of Recreation and Parks for use as a public recreation area. After more land was leased to the Division in 1980, the Oleta River State Recreation Area was created.
This series documents the use of the former Interama land by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), resulting in the creation of Oleta River State Park. It includes land use requests, abstracts of titles, deeds, conceptual plans, agreements, newspaper clippings, and correspondence. The records document the challenges to the land's usage and ownership, development of DNR's land management and recreation plans, and the final dissolution of the Interama project.
Extent: 2.0 cubic feet
Arrangement: Arranged by subject
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Key Largo Land Use Feasibility Study Correspondence, Report, and Background Files, 1978-1991 (Series S1600)
The series documents the development of reports on Key Largo land use plans and recommendations by the Department of Natural Resources. The study was intended to be the basis for future planning for the North Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Site and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The series includes correspondence; agenda and minutes of committee and cabinet meetings at which issues under study were discussed; and study reports from 1989, 1990, and 1991.
Extent: 0.66 cubic feet
Arrangement: Arranged by record type or topic
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Land Management Advisory Committee (LMAC) Meeting Files, 1983-1989 (Series S1561)
The series documents the committee decisions regarding land management plans and includes meeting minutes or summaries and background materials including tract maps and descriptions.
Extent: 2 cubic feet
Arrangement: Chronological by meeting date
Finding Aid: Folder listing
State and Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Program Administration Records, 1968-1984 (Series S1673)
The series documents the activities of Department of Natural Resources in studying and designating as scenic or wild selected rivers or segments of rivers in Florida as a part of the state and federal river designation program. The series includes administrative files and individual site files containing correspondence and memoranda of Department staff and members of study teams and advisory committees; site maps; land use classification maps; land ownership records; legal boundary descriptions; water analysis data; and draft reports and river studies.
Extent: 1.33 cubic feet
Arrangement: Arranged by river or record type
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Audio and Visual Records
Motion Pictures and Photographs, 1960-1972 (Series S1187)
This series contains motion pictures and photographs, 1960-1972, produced by the Dept. of Natural Resources and the State Board of Conservation. The motion pictures relate to the following topics: water hyacinths, manatees, fishing, oceanography, coastal engineering, the Big Cypress Swamp, the Cross Florida Barge Canal, John Pennekamp State Park, and the PX-15 submarine. The photographs, which include some negatives and slides, document beach erosion in Florida.
Extent: 1 cubic foot, 17 items
Arrangement: Unarranged
Finding Aid: Box listing
This series contains motion pictures and photographs, 1960-1972, produced by the Dept. of Natural Resources and the State Board of Conservation. The motion pictures relate to the following topics: water hyacinths, manatees, fishing, oceanography, coastal engineering, the Big Cypress Swamp, the Cross Florida Barge Canal, John Pennekamp State Park, and the PX-15 submarine. The photographs, which include some negatives and slides, document beach erosion in Florida.
Extent: 1 cubic foot, 17 items
Arrangement: Unarranged
Finding Aid: Box listing