The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is proud to announce that the 140 acre property above Perseverance Bay—often the first thing Virgin Islanders see when flying home into the St. Thomas airport—has now been purchased and formally incorporated into the Territorial Parks System as a significant cultural and ecological landscape preserved for the people of the Virgin Islands.
“This acquisition marks an important milestone for the Virgin Islands,” said Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol. “It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lands that shape our identity. With the support of Governor Bryan and his administration, we continue to advance key initiatives that protect our natural heritage for future generations.”
The Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas (TPPA) views the acquisition as a major step forward in its mission to steward the territory’s protected areas while keeping them accessible to all Virgin Islanders. “As we continue work under the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge Award, we are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Trust for Virgin Islands Lands,” said Kristina “Kitty” Edwards, Director of TPPA. “Their collaboration has been invaluable, and together we will engage community members to ensure our parks and trails remain safe, welcoming, and cherished spaces.”
Edwards added, “Perseverance Bay offers a remarkable natural setting for hikers, explorers, students, and researchers alike. It stands as both an outdoor classroom and a vital environmental resource. We look forward to continued collaboration with community partners to keep Perseverance Bay—and all protected areas across the territory—vibrant contributors to Virgin Islands history.”
The acquisition was supported through funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded in 2024.
For additional information, please contact Director Kristina “Kitty” Edwards at kristina.edwards@dpnr.vi.gov.
