DFW proposes to give the people of the virgin islands increased interaction with wildlife resources, as well as advise, coordinate amongst agencies, and protect wildlife resources through skills…

DFW proposes to give the people of the virgin islands increased interaction with wildlife resources, as well as advise, coordinate amongst agencies, and protect wildlife resources through skills development, resource awareness, and resource preservation. The division of fish and wildlife coordinates activities directly related to the administration of federal assistance to the wildlife restoration program. The virgin islands of the united states (usvi) have been explored and managed extensively since pre-columbian people arrived. The islands are made up of over 65 small islands, just 40 miles east of puerto rico. Based on one surviving map of land cover from 1750, the acreage of plantation-based agriculture increased island-wide from 1742 to 1754 transitioning from cotton to sugarcane during 1754 to 1800. Mongooses were introduced to control rats (rattus rattus and rattus norvegicus) in sugarcane fields in 1872. By 1917, nearly 90 of native forests and woodlands had been cleared for agriculture or logged. Sugar cane cultivation virtually ceased by the late 1950S across all the islands. Since then, secondary subtropical forests returned with naturalized tree species and novel assemblages colonizing formerly agricultural lands. Given the funding structure for wildlife resources, i.e. the pittman-robertson act, the change of natural resources is of concern and the management of its natural resources are paramount. The division of fish and wildlife has an opportunity to preserve and promote a responsible resource culture in the usvi through immersive skills workshops and interactive presentations. IT is the purpose of the DFW program to increase public awareness of our natural resources including columbids, shorebirds, bats, and introduced populations of deer. We offer a hunter education program including opportunities for the community to practice archery so that they may become more active stewards of our local natural resources. The intent of our program is to provide everyone with an opportunity to learn about and to utilize our natural resources. This grant will support administrative staff facilities, wildlife and habitat surveys, hunter education programs, and outreach events throughout the territory.