The International Institute of Tropical Forestry (the Institute), headquartered in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, is a research and technology transfer institution dedicated to the advancement of tropical forestry at the island, national and international levels. It also promotes the development and exchange of fundamental knowledge that supports the benefits of tropical forests and grasslands, as well as the problems that affect them. Created as the Tropical Forest Experimental Station, since 1939, The Institute has been in continuous operation serving as a focal point for providing educational and research resources. It has a long tradition of innovative and pioneering collaborations in tropical forestry research. The state-of-the-art facility houses laboratories, experimental research areas and a robust tropical forest library. Today the Institute, in addition to research and development work, has units of International Cooperation and State and Private Forestry Programs.

Our History

The International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) it's  located in the Botanical Garden of Rio Piedras, within the metropolitan area of the capital, San Juan, has a long and productive history. Created in 1939 in cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico, as the Tropical Forest Experiment Station has been in continuous operation for 65 years with its original mission, in which it focuses on five main areas of research: forest management, forest economics, forest products, forest influencers and forest botany.

In 1911, the association transferred ownership to the People of Puerto Rico, with control and administration entrusted to the newly created Agriculture Commission Board. In August 1933, the property was transferred to the University of Puerto Rico.

In 1941 the U.S. Department of Agriculture, represented by Mr. Arthur Bevan, director of the Tropical Forest Experiment Station, signed the first lease agreement with the University of Puerto Rico for the use of lands where the building was erected, and in 1942 construction began on what is today the Institute’s Headquarters building.

In 2008, construction/renovation was initiated, and the building has now been restored with the distinctive architectural characteristics of the Spanish Revival style popular at the time it was built in the early 1940s. After an evaluation of the building by the State Preservation Office, it was concluded that the headquarters building is eligible for inclusion in the National Register for Historic Places.

Using sustainable design concepts, the renovation project was designed to meet the Silver Certification Level of the United States Green Building Council. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) elements were incorporated into the renovation, which included a fresh-air system, lighting, and thermal insulation. This project showcases that historic buildings can be made highly energy-efficient while maintaining their historical value and providing for contemporary use.