The purpose of this proposal is to provide active forest management support and services to private non-industrial forest landowners in puerto rico as a federally mandated program authorized by the…

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's International Institute of Tropical Forestry awarded $111,187.55 under the Forest Stewardship Program (CFDA 10.678) to the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources to provide active forest management support and services to private non-industrial forest landowners across Puerto Rico. The award, obligated on September 17, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2029, directly supports the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 mandate. The primary deliverable is the development and delivery of forest management plans prepared by hired forest consultants, enabling private forest owners to implement active management practices on their properties.

The program prioritizes forest recovery in areas impacted by recent hurricanes, wildfire-prone regions, and initiatives to protect wildlife and water resources. This initiative represents a continuation of prior-year forestry assistance objectives in Puerto Rico and leverages the Forest Stewardship Program's established model of state-delivered technical assistance through service foresters to connect landowners with planning tools and management guidance necessary for sustainable forest stewardship across the territory.

The purpose of this proposal is to provide active forest management support and services to private non-industrial forest landowners in puerto rico as a federally mandated program authorized by the cooperative forestry assistance act of 1978, section 5 16 U.S.C 2103A. This grant will continue the alignment of the objectives of the program as documented in past fiscal year narratives; with a focus on forest recovery following the impact of the most recent hurricanes, wildfire-prone areas, and protect wildlife and water resources. Furthermore, the program will hire forest consultants to provide active forest management services through the development of forest management plans for private forests across puerto rico.