The California Department of Fish and Game will become the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, starting January 1st.
The new name was mandated by AB 2402, which was signed Sept. 25 by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and is one of numerous provisions passed into law during 2012 that affect the department.
"The name of the department was changed to better reflect our evolving responsibilities," said Department Director Charlton H. Bonham. "As our role has grown to meet 21st century expectations, we remain committed to our traditional responsibilities and to honoring our deep roots in California's natural resources legacy."
Traditionally known as game wardens, the department's law enforcement staff will now be called wildlife officers.
Californians will notice new Internet and e-mail addresses for CDFW employees, but the old URL and email addresses will continue to work indefinitely.
The mission of the department continues to be "to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public."
