New agreement to implement the national priorities in palau's forest action plan

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Region 5–Pacific Southwest Region awarded $101,773 to Ebiil Society Inc. on August 26, 2026, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) to implement national priorities in Palau's Forest Action Plan. The award funds active forest management, propagation of native and endangered species, training for private homeowners, tree plantings, and monitoring of a disease causing mass dieback of an endemic tree species in Palau. Public education about tree care and forest health issues is also supported through the award. Ebiil Society Inc., designated by Palau's Division of Forestry, Land, and Water within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment, is the recipient organization. Performance extends through August 1, 2029, with place of performance designated as the United States. The award is structured as a project grant under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 USC 2105), which extends domestic U.S. Forest Service programs including Urban and Community Forestry and Forest Health Protection funding to Palau under its Compact of Free Association treaty status.

Activities include active forest management, propagation of native and endangered species, training for private homeowners, tree plantings, and monitoring a disease causing mass dieback of a critical, endemic tree species in palau. Funds will also be used to support educating the public about tree care and forest health issues. S & PF statutory authority to enter into this agreement is the cooperative forestry assistance act of 1978, 16 USC 2105. This national legislation authorized the U.S. Secretary of agriculture to provide cooperative forestry assistance, to states and others. The republic of palau is in a compact of free association (TREATY) with the united states, and for that reason, the cooperative forestry assistance act defines the palau as a state for the purposes of domestic USDA forest service programs. Under that authority, the republic of palau is eligible to receive U.S. Forest service urban and community forestry (UCF) and forest health protection (FHP) funds. Ebiil society, INC. Is designated by the palauan government's forestry agency, division of forestry, land, and water of the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and the environment to receive these funds.