Department of
Planning & Natural Resources
Department of
Planning & Natural Resources
The Virgin Islands has received $69M to implement projects that will boost our resilience.The NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge is an approach being used to enhance climate resilience across the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) through a series of interconnected initiatives designed to address environmental challenges, build local capacity, and foster regional collaboration. The plan is structured into three main pillars.
Each pillar is supported by specific sub-projects designed to address local vulnerabilities, engage communities, and ensure sustainable environmental stewardship, while also extending benefits to regional partners across the Caribbean and Pacific.
Implementation of Watershed and Coastal Improvement Plans focuses on nature-based solutions (NBS) for improving water management, coastal resilience, and flood mitigation. This pillar includes establishing a collaborative working group, implementing on-the-ground NBS projects, developing local capacity for resilient design, and fostering regional knowledge exchange among small island territories.
Climate-Resilient Land Conservation and Park Development aims to protect critical ecosystems by acquiring and conserving land, creating new parks, and enhancing climate resilience through targeted land preservation projects. This pillar will safeguard vital habitats, reduce flooding risks, and support biodiversity conservation.
Education and Workforce Development seeks to build long-term local capacity by providing education and job training for young people in environmental conservation, climate resilience, and stewardship. This pillar emphasizes creating workforce development programs, mentoring networks, and career opportunities to retain talent and inspire a climate-positive future in the USVI.
4611 Tutu Park Mall
Suite 300, 2nd Floor
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 774-3320
45 Estate Mars Hill
Frederiksted, VI 00840
Phone: (340) 773-1082
Monday – Friday
Cashier closes at 3:00pm
*Does not include Federal/Local Holidays