Several states have announced immediate closures of their conservation or natural resources facilities or events. For more information, check with your state DNR office.
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has closed several of its state-managed facilities to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).The following facilities will be closed to the public March 14-April 13: Outdoor Adventure Center, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Belle Isle Aquarium (Detroit); Michigan History Museum and Archives of Michigan (Lansing); Michigan Iron Industry Museum (Negaunee); and DNR visitor centers at state parks, and the Oden and Wolf Lake state fish hatchery interpretive centers.
Nebraska
To prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 at its facilities, parks and events, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has limited public access. All agency-sponsored events and activities scheduled through May 31 have been cancelled. The Omaha service center is closed to public access until further notice. Customers may call the office at (402)595-2144 to get information or purchase permits. Permits and information also are available online.
All cancellations, postponements and closures are posted on the Commission’s website.
Commission headquarters in Lincoln, district offices in Alliance, North Platte and Norfolk, and service centers in Bassett and Kearney remain open to the public. All wildlife management areas also are open.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources remains operational, but has implemented changes to certain department activities, customer service functions, and scheduled events to minimize the spread of the virus.
A grace period is extended to all Maryland license holders. The governor’s executive order immediately grants a grace period of 30 days after the date of termination of the state of emergency. This includes items processed at DNR Licensing Service Centers. The online COMPASS https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/ portal provides 24/7 self-service access to our entire product catalog of recreational licenses, permits and stamps; off-road vehicle registrations; magazine subscriptions; and donation options for DNR programs.
The DNR and Maryland State Parks are enacting enhanced measures to mitigate the risk of contact with the COVID-19 virus. This includes enhanced cleaning protocols at state park public facilities, restrooms, ranger stations, nature centers and other public buildings.
All events and gatherings of groups larger than 250 people are canceled. Park patrons are encouraged to check the individual website page of their favorite park for updates.
Georgia DNR facilities to remain open
Officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are reminding citizens that all DNR-managed properties are open and welcoming visitors during normal operating hours. These properties include state parks, lodges, historic sites, WMAs, PFAs, archery ranges, shooting ranges, education centers, golf courses, and battlefields, along with those not directly mentioned that are under the management of DNR.
In addition, all DNR administrative offices throughout the state are open and operating during normal business hours. Click here for updates related to any coronavirus impact on DNR operations and locations.
Alabama
Out of an abundance of caution to limit the possible spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Alabama State Championship scheduled for April 2-3, 2020, at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, has been cancelled.
Utah
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has canceled or postponed several upcoming public events and seminars.
Canceled: March 14: Wild Swan Viewing events and activities at Farmington Bay and Salt Creek WMAs; March 28: Mountain goat viewing event at Rock Creek in northeastern Utah; March 28: Turkey Hunting Clinic at the Eccles Education Wildlife Center, and March 28: Turkey Hunting Clinic in Monticello. Postponed to a later date: March 12: Learn to Fish Utah Lake event at the DWR Central Region Office in Springville; March 19: Walleye Seminar at the DWR Salt Lake City office.
DWR events scheduled for April have not yet been canceled and will be evaluated after additional direction from health officials and state leaders is provided. Find a full list of DWR upcoming events on the DWR Eventbrite.
Information for DWR events can also be found on the division's Facebook page and website.
Texas
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson are closed temporarily to public visitation in efforts to minimize potential risks associated with large public gatherings and close-quartered spaces to visitors, volunteers and staff.
Staff operations and fish production within the hatcheries will continue as normal. Public visitation and tours are temporarily suspended at other TPWD hatcheries, including the A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos, the Dundee Fish Hatchery in Electra, the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home, the John D. Parker East Texas Fish Hatchery in Brookeland, the Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi, the Perry R. Bass Research Center and Hatchery, and the Possum Kingdom Fish Hatchery in Graford.
For current information visit the TPWD website.
Missouri
Effective immediately the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has cancelled most public events and programs at its nature centers, shooting ranges, and other locations around the state until April 15. Cancellations include scheduled hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops
MDC scheduled managed hunts, mentored spring turkey hunts, and native plant sales at nature centers will continue as planned.
All conservation areas remain open to the public. MDC offices, nature centers, and shooting ranges also remain open under normal operating hours. Contact the local MDC office, nature center, or shooting range with questions on specific events or programs.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has closed all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas, and historic sites as well as cancelled upcoming scheduled events. All Illinoisans impacted by a cancellation or closure are encouraged to call the IDNR’s Parks Administrative Information Line Monday – Friday at (217)782-6752.
A complete listing of state sites can be found on the IDNR website here.
Montana
In light of the COVID-19 situation, the Governor’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council has canceled the in-person meeting scheduled in Choteau. The council’s tentative plan is now to conduct a video/phone conference meeting from 9-11 a.m. March 19 and March 20. The meeting agenda is being updated. Public involvement opportunities will be available online.