Weekly Estuary Update
Join us for upcoming educational activities, training opportunities, and volunteer experiences designed to benefit the waters and ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary. From the International Coastal Cleanup and the Estuary Fair to interpretive tours, workshops, and field experiences, as well as the annual Exploring the Estuary event, there are many ways to learn, contribute, and enjoy community. See more details below!
National Estuaries Week
National Estuary Week is coming soon! Starting Saturday, September 20, and continuing through Saturday, September 27, 2025, we have educational activities and training opportunities available for everyone, including opportunities to earn Green Touch hours or community service, as applicable. Upcoming activities are listed below:
International Coastal Cleanup 2025
We kicked off National Estuary Week with the 2025 International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
As in previous years, the Estuary joins Scuba Dogs Society, leading the cleanup of the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve.
Join the Reserve team! Register here.
Estuary Fair
Don't miss the Estuary Fair, on Saturday, September 20, starting at 9:00 am at Jaime Benítez Park in the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve.
We will have educational stations where you will learn about estuarine ecosystems, their biodiversity, and the projects we carry out for the restoration and maintenance of the water quality connected to the San Juan Bay estuary.
Estuary Cinema
Special Screening! Estuary Cinema presents: IF; Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 7:00 pm at Jaime Benítez Park in the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve, in celebration of National Estuary Week. The film will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. As always, this screening is free. Bring your blanket or chair.
Exploring the estuary
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, we will conclude the celebration of Estuaries Week with the third annual biodiversity documentation event of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve, Exploring the Estuary, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Don't forget to sign up for the virtual training workshops, where you'll learn about the species you can find in the Reserve. The workshops are divided into three categories: marine life (Monday, September 22), plants (Wednesday, September 24), and terrestrial life (Thursday, September 25). Also, don't forget to register for the documentation workshop on Tuesday, September 23, where you'll learn how to use the iNaturalist app, which we'll be using during the event.
View the calendar and register today for the activities scheduled in celebration of National Estuaries Week at estuary.org/events.
Interpretive tours in urban forests connected to the estuary
On Friday, August 29, the Estuary conducted an interpretive tour as part of its series, "Discovering the Nature of Our Urban Forests," in Julio E. Monagas National Park in Bayamón. During the tour, participants learned about the history of this urban forest in Puerto Rico's Karst region, its natural history, geology, its connection to the water flowing from the aquifers to the Las Cucharillas marsh and San Juan Bay, and the endemic biodiversity that makes this forest its home. We thank everyone who participated in this interpretive experience in the estuarine environment.
Don't miss the next tour
The next interpretive tour, "Discovering the Nature of Urban Forests," will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Piñones State Forest . Learn about this natural area, its ecosystems, biodiversity, and its connection to the waters of the San Juan Bay estuary.
Register today at estuary.org/events.
Citizen scientists strengthen coastal resilience in Piñones
On Sunday, August 31, 2025, the Estuary conducted a field experience for the Coastal Resilience module with 42 participants from the ASEZ-STAR group in the Piñones State Forest. The day included educational talks about the four types of mangrove, an interpretive tour, and the collection of seeds from red, white, and black mangroves.
The group worked with the propagation of previously collected red mangrove propagules. This experience contributed to the volunteers' practical learning and to the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification process.
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information about the certification and all the thematic modules at estuary.org/ccc . These activities count toward community service hours and Green Contact.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field experience: Bacteriological monitoring; on Thursday, September 18, at County Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-Chemical Parameters ; Thursday, September 18, via Zoom
Field experience: Physical-chemical sampling; Monday, September 22, in San Juan
Field experience: Physical-chemical sampling; Tuesday, September 23, in San Juan
Field experience: Physical-chemical sampling; Wednesday, September 24, in San Juan
Field experience: Bacteriological monitoring; on Thursday, September 25, at County Lagoon
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop ; Wednesday, September 17, via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrasses ; Monday, September 15, via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Restoration of Dunes and Mangroves ; Tuesday, September 16, via Zoom
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Sunday, September 21, at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Sunday, September 21, at County Lagoon
Field experience: Planting coastal vegetation; Friday, September 26, in San Juan
Prepare yourself this hurricane season
Prepare for this hurricane season. Download the Estuary Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide and follow its recommendations. Your community's strength and resilience begin at home.
Also visit the Estuary Virtual Community Center , where you'll find vital information, such as relevant emergency numbers and instructions for preparing emergency kits.
Don't panic! Get ready.
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Thanks to the students from UPR Cayey who supported the bacteriological monitoring on Thursday, September 11, 2025, as part of the Water Quality Monitoring module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification. The results are below.
Assessment conducted on Thursday, September 11, 2025. We have a RED flag for County Lagoon. 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.
