The department may, in accordance with the policy of the board, engage in surveys of soil, vegetation, and forest products on the forest, range, and watershed lands of the state. The department may, with the approval of the Department of Finance, enter into agreements with any agency of government, including the University of California and the federal government, and with any person, firm or corporation, for the purpose of engaging in cooperative soil, vegetation, and forest surveys and may make expenditures for such purposes.