The state forester, by and with the approval of the commissioner of agriculture, shall cooperate with the executive director of the wildlife resources agency in furtherance of the policy of this state to protect and propagate wild animals, wild birds and fish, and, by and with the consent of the commissioner, shall designate any state forest a game refuge or preserve, and is authorized to cooperate with the executive director of the wildlife resources agency in developing such state forests for the purpose of preserving and propagating the wildlife of this state.