Estuario Weekly Update
This week, we bring you more actions aimed at the restoration and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE): Contribute with your refund, get ready for the second Estuario 5K at Jardín Botánico or enjoy the next Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. We also share the results of recycling initiatives throughout the watershed, coastal resilience actions and upcoming Certification for Citizen Scientists workshops and experiences. Every action counts!
Support the SJBEP with your Refund
This filing season, consider donating your income to conservation and management actions of the waters and ecosystems connected to the SJBE.
Look for the option «Contribution to the Special Fund for the San Juan Bay Estuary», which you will find in the «Refund” box on page 1 of your form.
This method is possible thanks to Law 48 of 2009, which establishes the Special Fund for the SJBE.
Learn about the different methods available to donate to the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) at: estuario.org/donar.
Estuario 5K at Jardín Botánico
The Estuario 5K is back with renewed spirits! Join a race like no other, carried out entirely within the grounds of the botanical garden, Jardín Botánico de Río Piedras. You will walk along trails, appreciating streams and lakes, listening to the singing of birds and under the shade of centuries-old native trees.
5K Run or Walk It: We’ve got an updated route, perfect for runners and walkers of all skill levels.
1K Segment for Kids: Kids will have fun at their own pace!
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Place: Jardín Botánico de Río Piedras, in San Juan
The Estuario 5K is carried out with the endorsement and close collaboration of Jardín Botánico de la Universidad de Puerto Rico.
Volunteer for the Estuario 5K
We are looking for volunteers to support the Estuario 5K at Jardín Botánico run, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on May 17, 2026. Event volunteers will receive a T-shirt and will have reserved parking, at the DNER building, within steps from the event. Four hours of Contacto Verde or community service will be validated, as applicable. Volunteers will need to attend a virtual orientation meeting via Zoom, which we will announce later.
Sign up to volunteer for the Estuario 5K, at estuario.org/eventos.
Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve
Join us for a family day of learning and adventure at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Jaime Benítez Park. See the agenda of activities, in estuario.org/eventos.
Hope to see you there! No registration is required. Several activities count toward Contacto Verde or community service hours, as applicable. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at: [email protected].
Cine del Estuario
Cine del Estuario presents: How to Train Your Dragon (2025); on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Jaime Benítez Park of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. The film will be screened in Spanish, with English subtitles. This feature is free of charge. No registration is required. Bring your blanket or chair.
Aquatic waste reduction initiatives
In the SJBE watershed.
Dispose of your electronics correctly
Take advantage of the electronic equipment collection event organized by the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, 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 televisions.
Learn more about the Municipality of Trujillo Alto Recycling Program, here.
Results of the Recycling Pop-up in Loíza
Last Saturday, February 21, LimPiaR held its most recent Recycling Pop-up in Loíza, in the Miguel Fuentes Pinet Park. Over 100 participants contributed to the diversion of about 988 pounds of recyclable materials, which included plastic, aluminum and cardboard.
SJBEP was present with its educational table, where we highlighted the efforts and initiatives aimed at water conservation and gray infrastructure of the communities connected to the SJBE, including initiatives for the correct diversion of used vegetable oil, the Municipality of Loíza vegetable oil diversion program, and the community campaign, Deja una huella limpia en Piñones.
The Recycling Pop-up in Loíza takes place on the third Saturday of each month, in the Miguel Fuentes Pinet Park. The next one will be on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Planting of coastal vegetation
On Sunday, February 15, nine citizen scientists participated in a Coastal Resilience module field experience in Piñones. They planted about 200 coastal species, with an emphasis on the restoration of mangroves and dunes.
The planting included red mangrove, buttonwood, bay bean and coconut palm. It served as an educational experience on adaptation, coastal dynamics, and nature-based solutions. See more Certification for Citizen Scientists’ Coastal Resilience module activities, below.
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, March 5, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological monitoring; Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-chemical parameters; Thursday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Participatory Bird Census Module
Participatory Bird Census Workshop; Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field experience of Participatory Bird Censuses; on Sunday, March 8, at 7:00 a.m. in Parque Central de San Juan
Coastal Resilience Module
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, March 7, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, March 7, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrasses; Tuesday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience: Seed Collection; Friday, March 13, at 8:00 a.m. in Piñones
With the estuary we coexist
In case you missed it: Everything that falls into storm sewers ends up in your community’s bodies of water. Don’t throw waste down the gutter! Watch the SJBEP’s latest public service announcement, below.
Weekly water quality monitoring
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, February 26, 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. Have a good weekend.
