In the 1920’s, Dr. Arthur Ortenburger, an early Professor of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma, began a series of expeditions to survey the fauna and flora of Oklahoma. In April 1926, the Oklahoma Wildlife Institute passed a resolution requesting that the Oklahoma legislature establish a state Biological Survey. The Oklahoma Biological Survey was officially established as a scientific bureau of the University by the Board of Regents in 1927. Aute Richards, Head of the Department of Zoology, became the first director.