The Virgin Islands government has completed the purchase of 293 acres spanning Estate Great Pond and Estate Hartmanns on St. Croix's South Shore, securing what officials call a vital natural and cultural asset for the territory.
The parcels acquired include Remainder Parcel No. 52 and Parcel Nos. 53, 55, and 57 of Estate Hartmanns, as well as Remainder Parcel No. 47 and Parcel No. 56 of Estate Great Pond, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announced in a statement released Tuesday. A 2024 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funded the transaction; the purchase price was not made public.
Great Pond ranks among the territory's largest salt ponds and has served historically as a fishing and crabbing destination while functioning as a nationally recognized bird sanctuary. Recent hurricanes and other environmental pressures have damaged the site.
DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol framed the purchase as foundational to St. Croix's future. "By protecting this property, we are preserving an important natural and cultural resource for the benefit and enjoyment of generations to come," he said.
Kristina Edwards, who leads the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, emphasized the government's intent to balance preservation with community use. "Great Pond is a beloved community gathering place that holds special meaning in the hearts of many across the territory," Edwards said. The division plans to work alongside local partners on a management strategy that respects the site's cultural role while maintaining cleanliness, safety, and public access.
The acquisition fits within the Bryan administration's broader land conservation strategy. Earlier this year, the government secured 53 acres of Lowry Hill property along St. Croix's southeastern coast. Officials noted that Lowry Hill connects to the Great Pond watershed through natural corridors, creating ecological benefits that support regional wildlife and ecosystems.
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