On April 29, 2024, a significant agreement was signed between the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Caribe Soil and Water Conservation District.

This agreement aims to manage the Gabia Forest in Coamo, Puerto Rico, a 233-acre subtropical dry forest designated as a Special Reforestation Area. Located on the south coast of the island, the Caribe SWCD covers seven municipalities and has been instrumental in various conservation initiatives.

Forest management efforts in the Gabia Forest began in 2000 with the goal of reforesting the area with endemic, native, and endangered trees such as the Palo de Ramón (Banara vanderbiltii), Matabuey (Goetzia elegans), Arbol de Lija (Cordia rickseckeri), and Cobana Negra (Stahlia monosperma).

The forest is also home to a diverse range of bird species including the San Pedrito de Puerto Rico (Todus mexicanus), Zumbadorcito Esmeralda (Riccordia maugaeus), Pájaro Carpintero (Melanerpes portoricensis), and Mucarito de Puerto Rico (Megascops nudipes).

One of the significant conservation efforts in the forest was the release of the Puerto Rican Crested Toad (Peltophryne lemur) starting in 2007, a project that continued annually until 2016.

The Puerto Rican Crested Toad is classified as a threatened species.

The agreement signed in 2024 aims to consolidate efforts for forest management, continue the Puerto Rican Crested Toad recovery project, develop educational programs, promote scientific research, and involve surrounding communities in protection and forest conservation.

The Caribe SWCD has been proactive in addressing local challenges such as overworked soils, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and the impact of storms like Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

With technical assistance grant funding from NACD the Caribe SWCD has provided support to producers, helping them access funding and implement conservation best management practices. In addition, Caribe SWCD leveraged grant funds to develop management plans for private forests, technical assistance, educational talks on the conservation of natural resources, and reforestation projects in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners.

The district has planted over 5,000 trees as part of the “Un Arbol En Tu Vida” (A Tree In Your Life) project, with over 33 percent of the trees successfully established.

The district’s commitment to conservation extends to education and youth involvement.

In 1992, the Caribe SWCD established the first Youth Board in Puerto Rico, which operated until 2000. After a hiatus, the Youth Board was reinstated in 2019. The district engages with schools, providing educational presentations about conservation and agriculture and involving students in activities like creating school gardens and irrigation systems.

With the signing of the agreement for the management of the Gabia Forest, the Caribe SWCD continues its mission to conserve natural resources, involve communities, and promote sustainable practices in Puerto Rico.