Estuario Weekly Update
Estuarine greetings! This week we highlight new opportunities to amplify the collective impact in favor of our waters. We’ve begun organizing the eighteenth Water Quality Day of Puerto Rico, convening co-hosts throughout the archipelago who wish to be an active part of this citizen science event. We’re also sharing recent coastal resilience actions and upcoming workshops and experiences for the Certification for Citizen Scientists. Get involved, and let’s work to improve the health of the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) together.
We are looking for co-hosts for the 18th Water Quality Day of Puerto Rico
If you are interested in co-hosting the eighteenth Water Quality Day of Puerto Rico, join the orientation meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Co-hosts will perform at least one of the following tasks:
– Facilitate training workshops to the public
– Distribute monitoring kits
– Receive and provide spaces to the public that will participate in the monitoring
We are looking for co-hosts throughout the archipelago. The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) will provide the necessary materials. We look forward to seeing you!
The eighteenth Water Quality Day of Puerto Rico will be Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Inscription to the event will open soon.
Meeting for Friends of the Condado Lagoon
Don’t miss the next meeting of Amigos de la Laguna, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Jaime Benítez Park of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, with virtual space through Zoom.
Everyone is invited. To receive your Zoom access link, sign up at estuario.org/eventos.
Actions for the reduction of aquatic waste
Through the SJBE watershed.
Dispose of your electronics correctly
The Municipality of Trujillo Alto will hold an electronic equipment collection event on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in front of the Municipal Office for Emergency Management (Carr. 486 Km. 1.6, Barrio Cuevas).
They will accept computers, cell phones, tablets, chargers, computer parts and cables, routers and converter boxes, DVDs, VHSs, VCRs, GPSs, printers, fax machines and scanners, radios, sound equipment, cameras, MP3s and TVs.
Learn more about the Municipality of Trujillo Alto’s Recycling Program, here.
Actions for Coastal Resilience
Recently, citizen scientists from the SJBE participated in two field experiences for the Coastal Resilience module, strengthening both nursery work and direct restoration of our shorelines.
On Sunday, January 25, 2026, thirteen volunteers collaborated in the maintenance of the estuarine nursery Vivero Estuario in Centro TAU, Loíza. The day involved the transfer of white mangrove and buttonwood seedlings to larger pots, seed propagation, plant counting and characterization, and cleaning and weeding work. This experience allowed them to learn in a practical way the processes that sustain ecological restoration projects before planting.
On Saturday, January 31, seventeen volunteers gathered in Piñones to plant around 309 coastal plants, including red mangroves, buttonwood, baybeans and coconut palms. Seeds were also collected for future propagation efforts. The planting was carried out to reinforce the natural protection of the coastline and promote nature-based solutions that complement the existing infrastructure.
Both days integrated education, community action and practical learning, reaffirming that coastal resilience begins with hands willing to plant, care for and restore. We thank all the citizen scientists who continue to contribute to the health of the waters and ecosystems connected to the SJBE.
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 in estuario.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field Experience: Bacteriological monitoring; Thursday, Feb. 19, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Monday, February 23, at 8:30 a.m. at Rio Piedras and Lago Las Curías
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Tuesday, February 24, at 9:00 a.m. at San Juan Bay
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Wednesday, February 25, at 8:00 a.m. at Laguna San José/Torrecilla
Participatory Bird Census Module
Field experience for Participatory Bird Censuses; Saturday, February 21, at 7:00 a.m. at Laguna Blasina
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Workshop on Characterization and Reduction of Microplastics; Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Field Experience: Planting of coastal vegetation; Sunday, February 15, at 8:00 a.m. in Piñones
Workshop for Coastal Resilience: Ecological restoration of dunes and mangroves; Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience: Seed collection; Friday, February 20, at 8:00 a.m. in Piñones
Field Experience: Propagation and maintenance of plants; on Saturday, February 28, at 8:00 a.m. in Vivero Estuario at Centro TAU, Loíza
Weekly water quality monitoring
Thanks to the volunteers who supported the bacteriological monitoring of Thursday, February 12, 2026, as part of the Water Quality Monitoring module of the SJBEP’s Certification for Citizen Scientists. Up next, the results:
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, February 12, 2026. We have a RED flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the regions that exceeded the «Beach Action Value» water quality parameter for 70 CFU/100 ML enterococci. Remember to avoid the water during rainy events. Have a good weekend.
