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.

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.

PROJECTS & GRANT UPDATES

Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is pleased to share with the territory the successful Climate Resilience Regional Challenge grant opportunity which will bring $69,000,000 into the territory. Expected to begin in October, this grant will make the territory more resilient to climate change and other coastal hazards. The awards are being made under the Biden Administration’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge; a competitive, $575 million program funded under the Biden-Harris Administration.

“This grant is a tremendous opportunity for the people of the Virgin Islands. Between job opportunities, support for community partners, and bringing land into the Territorial Park System, we expect to see exciting projects over the next five years to help protect our natural resources.” Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner.

The grant includes activities pursuing nature-based community guided solutions across three pillars. (1) Implementation of Watershed and Coastal Improvement Plans, (2) Climate-Resilient Land Conservation and Park Development, and (3) Education and Workforce Development.

“The strength of this grant began with and is thanks to the conservation community in the VI. Collaboration with community organizations has been instrumental in its success and I can’t wait to share updates on each of their projects. The next five years are going to be greatly impactful for conservation work in the Virgin Islands!” Director Kristina “Kitty” Edwards, Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas.

The TPPA team is excited to finish 2024 on a high note with six subawards executed for work being done under the NOAA CRRC grant! This money going directly into the community is a point of pride for everyone involved, and we can’t wait to see what the new year holds!