Weekly Estuary Update
Greetings from the estuary! Below, we share events, initiatives, and training and collaboration opportunities scheduled to benefit the waters, ecosystems, and communities connected to the San Juan Bay estuary.
Launch of the Estuary Plan review
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the review process of the Estuary Plan began, officially known as the Comprehensive Management and Conservation Plan for the San Juan Bay Estuary.
The Estuary Plan is a guide that establishes actions and public policy proposals to conserve the quality of water and habitats connected to the San Juan Bay estuary and promote education, green infrastructure development and integrated solid waste management.
We encourage all collaborators, community leaders, neighbors, and those familiar with the Estuary to participate in this process. Register to participate in the Estuary Plan review at estuary.org.
Bat Day at the Estuary Family Day Out
On Saturday, October 5th, the most recent Family Day Out at the Estuary took place at the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve. We began with a sports activity, which was attended by a variety of participants, from young children to teenagers.
Next, we took a tour focused on the bats of the Reserve, led by estuarine interpreters Coral Avilés, Mario García, and Eliezer Nieves. We played an echolocation game, and throughout the tour, we explored the habits of these winged mammals and their importance to the ecosystem. At the end of the tour, we reviewed what we had learned with trivia and finished by reading the story: Canito, the Fishing Bat.
The Family Day Out concluded with a screening of Estuary Cinema, which was attended by approximately 52 people. We look forward to seeing you at the next Family Day Out.
Participatory bird census
On Wednesday, October 9, the Biological Sciences group (CIBI) of the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus participated in a participatory bird census on the way to completing their certification as citizens scientists with the Estuary.
We thank Professor Melitza Nieves for integrating this day of workshops and field trips into the curriculum of her CIBI courses, and our educators, Coral Avilés Santiago and Eliezer Nieves Rodríguez, for facilitating this certification for this new generation of university students.
Learn more about the Participatory Bird Census module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification at estuary.org/ccc.
Recycle your electronics
The Municipality of San Juan announces its second electronics recycling event, where you can properly dispose of electronic devices you no longer use. The event will be held on October 18, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum. For more information, call 787-480-6011.
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the upcoming scheduled events. See more information at estuary.org/ccc.
Coastal Resilience Module:
Job opportunities
Technical Support Consultant—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership seeks qualified applicants to provide services as a Technical Support Consultant to support Estuary's water quality monitoring and related efforts through technical support, data management, and visualization.
Communications Consultant (Support)—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership is seeking a qualified applicant to support the Communications team and execute the Estuario's social media strategy by creating graphic design, video, and written content that can be used for other digital platforms.
Analyst – Resource and Waste Management—This position will be systematically documenting solid waste management and developing a strategy to replicate the strategic model of the campaign "Don't let it touch the ground or reach the water" in other geographical areas of the basin.
Estuary Project Coordinator – Aquatic Debris—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) is seeking a qualified applicant to fulfill the Estuario Project Coordinator position focused in the Aquatic Debris area.
Coordinator of Water Quality Day (2025)—We are seeking an Estuary Coordinator to organize this event. This person will be responsible for enthusiastically engaging all sectors of the community and increasing participation, taking into account data from previous years. Their primary goal should be access to clean and safe water for everyone in Puerto Rico.
Part-Time Faculty—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership is seeking qualified applications for a part-time faculty contract with a background in civil engineering for the graduate course “Innovative Approaches for a Sustainable Water Infrastructure.”
Green Infrastructure Coordinator (full time staff position)—The Green Infrastructure Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing all projects related to green infrastructure and coastal resilience to support the implementation of the Estuary Plan, also known as the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP).
Community Liaison—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership seeks qualified applicants to work as a Community Liaison under the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) Restoration Project.
Community Facilitator (RFP)—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership seeks qualified applicants to provide services as a Community Facilitator in the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) Restoration Project.
ESTUARY RESIDENT ARTIST—The Estuary Artist-in-Residence will focus their proposal along the Juan Méndez ravine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. By Estuary Artist-in-Residence, we mean any individual with artistic abilities who can carry out the described project. The project will last for one year, beginning March 1, 2025. This application is open to all forms of artistic expression.
Media coverage
October 9, 2024. San Juan Bay Estuary to review management plan with a focus on climate change. Science and Environment. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/cambio-climatico/notas/estuario-de-la-bahia-de-san-juan-revisara-plan-de-manejo-con-enfoque-en-cambio-climatico/
[Download your free copy] San Juan Bay Estuary: History and Research Opportunities
The Estuary is pleased to share its recent publication, San Juan Bay Estuary: History and Research Opportunities; by Ariel E. Lugo and Jorge F. Bauzá Ortega.
This comprehensive document includes valuable information on research conducted in the estuarine system, calling for these observations, findings, and conclusions to be added to in potential future research.
To arrange for the pickup of a free printed copy, please contact us at 787-725-8165.
Prepare yourself this hurricane season
Get ready for this hurricane season. Download the Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide of the Estuary and follow its recommendations. The strength and resilience of your community begins in your home.
Also visit the Virtual Estuary Community Centerwhere you will find vital information, such as relevant emergency numbers and instructions for preparing emergency backpacks.
Don't panic! Get ready.
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, October 10, 2024. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. However, we recommend avoiding areas that exceeded the water quality standard for enterococci of 70 CFU/100 mL. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
