Territorial Parks & Protected Areas

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About Territorial Parks & Protected Areas

The Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas is the newest division in the Department of Planning & Natural Resources. We have the responsibility of creating and managing the Territorial Parks System as well as all marine protected areas and other designated protected areas.

Message from the Director

Welcome to the Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas where the team is focused on creating VI Parks for VI People. As this division grows and we make progress on the creation of the Territorial Parks System we are excited to work with the communities of the Virgin Islands and look forward to opportunities to share our goals, project, and celebrations!

To learn more about what we are up to or reach out to the team, email parks@vi.gov and ask!

Climate Resilience Regional Challenge

The Climate Resilient Regional Challenge (CRRC) grant, awarded to DPNR’s Territorial Parks & Protected Areas Division, supports projects that strengthen climate resilience across the U.S. Virgin Islands. CRRC is built on three core pillars: 🌊 Pillar I: Coastal and Watershed Plan Implementation 🌿 Pillar II: Land Conservation and Park Development 📚 Pillar III: Education and Workforce Development Together, these pillars promote collaboration and help build stronger, more sustainable communities throughout the territory.

Land & Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high-quality recreation areas and facilities and to stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of recreation resources across the United States. The LWCF operates a State and Local Assistance program to support acquisition, planning, development, redevelopment, administration, and program funding that the TPPA is eligible for.

America the Beautiful

Connecting communities to nature is a primary focus of conservation management. The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources will leverage public-private partnerships to create the first of many conservation corridors connecting lands and waters across the USVI managed by the new Territorial Parks System, moving public investment in lands from 5% protection to over 12% protection. This grant will create a 6 mile cross-island conservation corridor connecting two critical coastal wetlands totaling 260 acres of wetlands running through rocky grasslands across private and public lands. Both coastal wetlands are USVI conservation priorities due to their impairment, with engineering designs and strong stakeholder support for proposed restoration plans in-place. The trail connector will serve wildlife, hikers, bikers, birders, and fishers.

STEERing Away from ADVs: Removing Abandoned and Derelict Vessels from a Marine Protected Area in St. Thomas

Awarded in July of 2025, the Division is thrilled to begin work on this grant focused on removing and preventing future ADVs in the St. Thomas East End Reserves. Below is a brief overview of the main goals of this grant.

Hiring a Full-Time, Permanent STEER Marine Park Coordinator: This individual will oversee the project, create educational materials to prevent reaccumulation, manage STEER, develop projects, coordinate with DPNR Enforcement, and support the effective day-to-day operations and long-term management of the park or marine facility 1 2.
Conducting Surveys and Monitoring: The STEER Marine Park Coordinator will facilitate pre- and post-removal surveys of derelict vessels and major debris within STEER, updating the My Coast database as necessary 3.
Hiring a Contractor for Vessel Removal: A contractor will be hired to remove vessels identified in the project. During the removal process, the contractor will attempt to reuse materials when possible and safely dispose of what cannot be repurposed 4.
Educational Material Production: Develop materials for DPNR Enforcement, local boating and fishing organizations, recreational boaters, liveaboards, fishermen, and the Territorial Parks and Protected Areas to educate the public on proper usage of STEER and other Marine Protected waterways 5.
Ongoing Support of GRROE U.S. Virgin Islands Mangroves Efforts: Leveraging data generated by this project, the coordinator will work with GRROE at the University of the Virgin Islands to support restoration efforts, maintain safe passageways for the boating community, and provide space for active vessels during tropical storms 6.

What We Do

Through the adoption of Act #8609: The Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas is charged with the responsibility of identifying, supervising, administering, managing, regulating, and controlling the use and operation of all public campgrounds, natural areas, scenic waysides, historic sites, recreational trails, monuments, marine trails, marine parks, and other classified protected sites in the territorial parks system. 

Stay tuned for updates on properties to be designated as Territorial Parks, news on outreach events and public meetings, and information on projects taking place in the Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas.