Estuario Weekly Update
This week we continue pushing the protection and restoration of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE), with actions ranging from reducing aquatic waste to new opportunities for citizen and professional engagement. Below we share active recycling initiatives after the holiday season and an extensive agenda featuring Estuario’s Certification for Citizen Scientists’ workshops and field experiences. We invite you to get informed, participate and be part of the solutions that strengthen the ecosystems of our communities.
Reducing aquatic waste in the SJBE
Below, we share initiatives and actions for recycling and waste reduction through the SJBE watershed:
Christmas Tree Diversion
With the Municipality of Trujillo Alto:
You can take your tree to the Community Deposit Center, located on the grounds of Obras Públicas Municipal, Carr. 8860 Km. 1.0, Barrio Saint Just.
There will also be pick-up routes, on January 21, 22, 23 and 26, 27, 28, in the urban areas detailed in the promotional image, included here.
For more information, call 787-761-0172, ext. 3174, 3172.
With Para la Naturaleza:
Take your tree to the Vivero Para la Naturaleza station at Jardín Botánico Norte, Río Piedras, from January 12 to 31, Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There are also stations available outside the SJBE watershed.
Recycling efforts of the Municipality of San Juan during the Calle San Sebastián festivities
The Municipality of San Juan oriented the merchants of Old San Juan and delivered containers for recyclable materials to use during the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, from Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18. Recovery efforts will focus on glass, mixed recyclable materials and used cooking oil.
Recycling stations will be available to the public. Find a station in the nearest plaza.
Professional Services Contract Opportunities
Audit & Tax Services Contract Announcement (2025)
[REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL] KICK-OFF WORKSHOP FACILITATION SERVICES
Certification for Citizen Scientists
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. Remember that all workshops and field experiences count toward Contacto Verde or community service hours. See more information at estuario.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-chemical parameters; Tuesday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience: Bacteriological monitoring; Thursday, Jan. 22, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Monday, Jan. 26, at 8:30 a.m. at Las Curías Lake and Piedras River
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Tuesday, January 27, at 9:00 a.m. at San Juan Bay
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Wednesday, January 28, at 8:00 a.m. at Laguna San José/Torrecilla
Field Experience: Bacteriological monitoring; Thursday, Jan. 29, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Workshop on Characterization and Reduction of Microplastics; Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Field experience: Planting of coastal vegetation; on Sunday, January 18, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological assessment of coral reefs and seagrasses; on Wednesday, January 21, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological restoration of dunes and mangroves; Thursday, January 22, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience: Seed collection; Friday, January 23, at 8:00 a.m. in Hato Rey
Field Experience: Ecological assessment of coral reefs; Saturday, January 24, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological assessment of seagrasses; Saturday, January 24, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Seedling propagation; on Sunday, January 25, at 8:00 a.m. at Centro TAU’s Vivero Estuario, Loíza
Field experience: Planting of coastal vegetation; Saturday, January 31, at 8:00 a.m. in Piñones
Field Experience: Ecological assessment of coral reefs; Saturday, January 31, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological assessment of seagrasses; Saturday, January 31, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Weekly water quality monitoring
Thanks to the volunteers who supported the bacteriological monitoring on Thursday, January 15, 2026, as part of the Water Quality Monitoring module for the Estuario Certification for Citizen Scientists. Up next, the results:
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, January 15, 2026. We have a RED flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the areas that exceeded the «Beach Action Value» water quality parameter for 70 CFU/100 ML enterococci. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
