The Big Island's Hawai'i Experimental Tropical Forest will receive $300,000 from the U.S. Forest Service under a federal-state partnership for a forest research center.

Under the 35-year cooperative agreement, the forests at Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a and Laupahoehoe are designated as the first tropical forest landscapes for forest and watershed research.

The money will be used for baseline biological surveys, mapping of resources and improvements such as buildings, roads and trails.

Forest Service Deputy Chief of Research and Development Ann Bartuska said the project is the 80th experimental forest in the agency's network.