Weekly Estuary Update
This week we're sharing more opportunities for action, training, and community engagement to benefit the restoration and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay estuary; from the upcoming family day out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve, the chance to run a 5K designed to connect you with nature, and workshops and field experiences for the Citizen Scientist Certification, to professional development opportunities. Keep reading!
Family day out
Don't miss the next Family Day Out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Jaime Benítez Park. This month we celebrate Mother's Day and Puerto Rico's endemic birds. See the calendar of activities at: estuary.org/eventsSome activities count towards Green Contact hours or community service. We look forward to seeing you!
Estuary Cinema
Estuary Cinema presents: Zootopia 2; Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Jaime Benítez Park in the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve. The film will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. This screening is free. Bring your blanket or chair. We hope to see you there!
5K Estuary in the Botanical Garden
Join a race like no other, held entirely within the grounds of the Río Piedras Botanical Garden!
You'll walk along trails, appreciating nature and listening to birdsong under the shade of ancient native trees. The route is perfect for runners and walkers of all levels. There will be a 1K segment for children.
The second edition of the Estuary 5K will be on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 7:00 am at the Rio Piedras Botanical Garden in San Juan.
The Estuary 5K is carried out with the endorsement and close collaboration of the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico.
5K: Running with our youth
Estuary invites you to support the 5K Running with our youth, on May 9, 2026, at Amelia Waterfront, Guaynabo.
Event details:
- Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
- Time: 6:00 AM
- Starting point: Roundabout – Amelia Waterfront, Guaynabo
Investment:
- 5K general admission: $30 (includes shirt and medal)
- 1K children (8 to 10 years): $15 (includes shirt and medal)
For more information, call 939-206-4358.
Opportunities for professional services contracts
Bird census
On Saturday, April 25, as part of the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden's Earth Day celebration, 28 volunteers explored and documented the diversity of birds in this urban natural space. The activity served as a field experience for the Participatory Bird Census module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification and kicked off the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, which runs until May 22.
Seed collection
On Saturday, April 11, 12 citizen scientists participated in a field trip to the Pescadores Peninsula in Piñones, as part of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification. During the day, they collected approximately 1,500 red mangrove propagules, directly contributing to future coastal ecosystem restoration efforts.
The activity combined orientation, an interpretive tour, and fieldwork, allowing participants to learn firsthand about the importance of mangroves and their role in protecting our coasts. Thank you for your commitment to the well-being of our coasts!
Citizen Scientist Certification
Here are the activities for the coming weeks. Remember that workshops and field experiences count toward Green Contact hours or community service, as applicable. See more information and register at: estuary.org/ccc
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, May 14, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Participatory Bird Census Module
Participatory Bird Census Workshop; on Tuesday, May 5, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience; Saturday, May 9, at 7:00 am in the Piñones State Forest
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop; on Thursday, May 7th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience; Saturday, May 9, at 9:00 am in San Juan Bay
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrasses; on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, May 9, at 8:00 am at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, May 9, at 12:00 pm at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, May 16, at 8:00 am at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 pm at County Lagoon
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, April 30, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. However, we recommend avoiding areas that exceeded the "Beach Action Value" water quality parameter for enterococci of 70 CFU/100 mL. Remember to avoid the water during rain events. Have a good weekend.
