The state biological survey is hereby authorized and empowered to:

(a) Adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 77-415 et seq. for the selection, acquisition, management, protection and use of natural and scientific areas and preserves; for the registration of natural and scientific areas and preserves; for the dedication of natural and scientific areas and preserves within the state system;

(b) develop a natural and scientific areas preservation policy for the state;

(c) develop a comprehensive long-range plan for the preservation, control and management of the natural and scientific areas of the state;

(d) seek and approve the dedication of natural and scientific areas to be included in the state system;

(e) maintain a registry of natural and scientific areas, an inventory of natural ecosystems; an inventory of habitats of rare and endangered species of plants and animals; significant geological and archeological sites; and other natural and scientific areas and preserves;

(f) conduct research, investigations, and interpretive programs and publish and disseminate information and recommendations pertaining to natural and scientific preserves and other natural and scientific areas;

(g) employ or contract for consultants and fix their compensations, who shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act;

(h) submit to the governor and the legislature annually its recommendations for new or amendatory legislation and funding for the preservation of the state’s natural and scientific areas; and submit to the secretary of state in even numbered years a report of its activities for inclusion in the biennial report in accordance with the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3044 et seq.