(a) The Department of Fish and Game and the commissioner shall work cooperatively with private forest landowners and timber owners to protect, maintain, and enhance wildlife habitat to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the interests of the owners in the use of their timber resources.
(b) The Department of Fish and Game shall provide educational and technical assistance and extension services to owners of private forest land or timber to assist in identifying important wildlife habitat and to assist in designing voluntary management techniques that minimize adverse effects on wildlife habitat.
(c) The Department of Fish and Game and the landowner shall cooperate in identifying areas of important wildlife habitat on private forest land and in developing methods for their protection. Methods of protection for wildlife habitat may include, with the agreement of the landowner, the purchase of fee title, purchase of conservation easements, and land exchanges.
(d) This section does not alter or diminish the authority and responsibility of the state over wildlife on private land.