This award will support the state forest legacy program (FLP) by funding staffing, due diligence activities, and essential program operations over a five year period

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry Jardin Botanico Sur awarded the Executive Office of the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands (operating as the Department of Agriculture) $1.4375 million on July 9, 2026, under the Inflation Reduction Act Forest Legacy Program (CFDA 10.734) to support state program staffing, due diligence, and operations over five years through April 14, 2031.

The award funds hiring two full-time program assistants and one part-time forestry technician to identify forested properties at risk of development, process landowner applications, manage administrative and technical data, prepare competitive Forest Legacy project proposals, and conduct public outreach. The FLP Coordinator will oversee contractors performing market value analyses, title searches, surveys, legal services, and multi-resource management plan development for existing and prospective legacy properties. Work is performed across the U.S. Virgin Islands. Outcomes include improved program capacity to identify landowners, prepare strong competitive proposals, and implement acquisition projects in a timely manner, with direct benefit to local government by strengthening protection of priority forest lands across the territory.

Activities include hiring two full time program assistants and one part time forestry technician to help identify forested properties at risk of development, collect and manage landowner applications and other administrative and technical data, support the preparation of competitive forest legacy project proposals, and conduct public outreach activities to promote the FLP. The FLP coordinator will oversee contractors performing market value analyses, title searches, surveys, legal services, and the development of multi resource management plans for existing and prospective legacy properties. Outcomes will include improved program capacity, timely preparation of competitive project packages, enhanced engagement with landowners and stakeholders, and strengthened protection of priority forest lands across the state. The primary beneficiary will be the local government by increasing FLP capacity to identify landowners, prepare strong competitive proposals, and implement acquisition projects in a timely manner.