The Department of Agriculture is the agency of the State assigned plenary authority and responsibility in public forestry functions, in the conduct of which it may cooperate with individuals and public agencies including agencies of the United States in programs concerned with:
(1) The protection of forest lands from fire, disease and insect damage, including the application of control measures therefor;
(2) Establishing forest growth on denuded or nonforested lands;
(3) Aiding private forest landowners, operators and processors of primary forest products in applying desirable woodland improvement, management and harvesting practices;
(4) Forest resource research, education and surveys; and
(5) Public recreation.