The infrastructure of the three Puerto Rican parrot (PRPA) Recovery Program facilities and the PRPA wild populations was severely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and María in 2017. These impacts delayed the recovery of the species by directly affecting wild individuals and the captive breeding capabilities of the aviaries across Puerto Rico. These events also caused the complete shutdown of the parrot release site at the Maricao State Forest, delaying the establishment of the PRPA third wild population, an effort that started a year prior to the hurricanes. 

It is critical to the recovery of the species the repairs to these two facilities. Specifically, the improvement of the captive breeding capabilities of the Puerto Rican parrot’s aviary to support the captive and wild populations of this species, and to restore the release project at the Maricao State Forest facility to establish the third wild population of parrots in Puerto Rico. The recovery of the Puerto Rican parrot, an endemic species on the brink of extinction is a priority for Federal, State and local agencies. Thus, the repair, rehabilitation, and the hardening of existing facilities to withstand potential weather events will diminish the risks towards the success of the parrot recovery program in Puerto Rico.  

This is why the Reconstruction and Hardening of the Puerto Rican parrot Recovery Program’s Facilities project is underway with focus on efforts and activities in the reconstruction and hardening of the PRPA Recovery Program’s facilities located at the Río Abajo and the Maricao State Forests. The project aims to make them more resilient towards future similar natural events. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)’s CFDA Program 15.663 was approved and an award was made under the authority of: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 2901-2911; and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. 661 667(e). As part of the Collaborative Agreement (F19AC00407) with the Fish and Wildlife Service and Para la Naturaleza a request for proposals (RFP) was submitted for the Project Management of the reconstruction and hardening project being designed by Jorge Rigau FAIA Architects PSC. After having received three proposals and passed the required evaluations by the appointed committee CPM PR, LLC was selected to conduct the project.  

This project would be a continuation of long-term and on-going conservation partnerships to support the establishment, recovery, and/or enhancement of populations of endangered, threatened, and species of concern.