The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is the agency responsible for managing and conserving the state’s natural resources and environment. Found in 1970, the DEC is divided into five major divisions: Administration, Air Resources, Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, Lands and Forests, and Water. The Administration division is responsible for the management and support of the agency, including budget and legal affairs. The Air Resources division is responsible for the regulation of air pollution from transportation, industrial, and commercial sources. The Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources division is responsible for the conservation, management, and protection of fish and wildlife populations, as well as the preservation of aquatic habitats. The Lands and Forests division is responsible for the management and protection of the state’s public lands, including forests, parks, and wildlife management areas. Finally, Water division is responsible for the management and protection of the state’s water resources, including monitoring, regulating, and protecting surface and groundwater. The DEC’s mission is to “protect, conserve, and improve the state’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate, and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being.” The agency works to achieve this mission by enforcing environmental laws and regulations, conducting research and monitoring, providing education and outreach, and encouraging sustainable practices.