Dominica's Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division were established in 1949. Over time its role and responsibilities have expanded considerably. Today, the Division's main priority is the sustainable utilization of the island's forest, wildlife and national park resources, as opposed to its former mainly regulatory role. Included among the Division's other priorities are law enforcement, human resource development, revenue generation, public relations and education. The division is a legal entity of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment. To date, the division and the ministry on a whole can boast of integrity of natural resource conservation on Dominica.

The Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division operates under the auspices of three important pieces of natural resources legislation. The Forestry and Wildlife Act (Ch. 60:02) was passed in 1976, and was amended on two occasions. The Forests Act (Ch. 60:01) was enacted in 1958, and regulates forestry activities in forest reserves. The National Parks & Protected Areas Act (Ch. 42:02) was enacted in 1975, and provides for the management and regulation of activities within the system of national parks and protected areas (as defined under that Act) on the island. The “National Parks Act” was amended in 1997 to make regulations for the collection of fees at eco-tourist sites on the island.