Through targeted technical and financial assistance and conservation education, federal resources are leveraged to protect and support sustainable management of the islands’ forests and ecosystems to produce goods and services that are important to many communities. 

This assistance is focused on cooperative forestry, forest health, urban and community forestry, cooperative fire protection, and landowner and legacy assistance programs. 

The Goals of this program include: 

• Conserve working forests landscapes encompasses the need to perpetuate the multiple values, uses and services provided by forests in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.
• Protect forests from harm: recognition of threats affecting forested lands, and to identify ways to control or substantially reduce their harmful effects.
• Enhance public benefits associated with trees and forests. 

Key Issues: 

• Fragmentation of forest ecosystems.
• Water resources and watershed conservation strategies.
• Information needs related to ecosystem services and other benefits from public and private forestland.
• Disturbances affecting forests (hurricanes, floods, fires, pests, etc.). Concerns over invasive species.
• Economic opportunities and alternative market development.

Related Resources

• State, Private and Tribal Forestry's Publications and Products