US Virgin Islands creates park system with 30 reserves

Islands' government sets aside areas for those who love outdoors, including hikers and beach-goers

Trunk Bay is named for the leatherback turtles, which are endemic to the islands and locally known as trunks. Photo: Anne Finney / National Parks Service

A leatherback sea turtle roams the sandy shores. Photo: Caroline Rogers / National Parks Service

A leatherback sea turtle returns to the water at the US Virgin Island National Park. Photo: Caroline Rogers / National Parks Service

You might spot a four-eye butterflyfish while snorkeling. Photo: Susanna Pershern / National Parks Service

Salomon Beach, looking west. Photo: Anne Finney / National Parks Service

People come from all over the world to snorkel in the Virgin Islands, where these gray angelfish were spotted. Photo: National Parks Service

Cinnamon Bay Beach is St John's longest beach. Photo: Anne Finney / National Parks Service

Only a select few know Little Cinnamon Beach, west of Cinnamon Bay Beach. Photo: Anne Finney / National Parks Service

Honeymoon Beach is tucked away and often empty. Photo: David Pinardi / National Parks Service

The US Virgin Islands this week created a new territorial parks system that protects more than 30 areas from commercial development and reserves them for activities including hiking and beaching.

Properties that total hundreds of hectares were identified in St Croix, St John and St Thomas, including Great Salt Pond, Oppenheimer Beach, Cas Cay and Bovoni Cay.

Governor Albert Bryan also signed legislation that revises a trust fund board whose seven members will be responsible for managing and acquiring land.

The government also expects to implement a Maroon sanctuary zone in St Croix’s West End to honour the legacy of Caribbean descendants of West African slaves who escaped slavery using guerrilla warfare.

The area is home to Maroon Ridge, which was a refuge for runaway slaves.

"Given growing concerns regarding beach access, environmental degradation and the loss of significant historic and other sensitive sites, all those involved in advancing this measure should be proud,” said US Virgin Islands Senator Samuel Carrion.

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