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.
Support the Estuary with your Refund
This tax season, we encourage you to donate a portion of your refund to efforts to eliminate sewage discharges into beloved bodies of water like Condado Lagoon and beaches. You'll also be supporting the restoration of San Juan Bay, the canals connecting the lagoons in the San Juan metropolitan area, and management projects for this vital ecosystem.
Look for the option “Contribution to the Special Fund for the San Juan Bay Estuary”, which you will find on the line 1B of the boxing “Refund” from your form.
This method is possible thanks to Law 48 of 2009, which establishes the Special Fund for the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Learn about the different methods available to donate to the Estuary at estuary.org/donate/.
5K Estuary in the Botanical Garden
It's almost here! The first Estuary 5K will be on March 23, 2025, at the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden, from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. We appreciate the overwhelming support this event has received; all spots are sold out!
For the collection of race numbers and jerseys, these will be delivered to the En La Meta store, located at: 408 Ave. Juan Ponce de León, San Juan. Pick-up days and hours are Thursdays and Fridays, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Parking for participants and volunteers is available at the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, conveniently located steps from the Botanical Garden. Its address is Carr. 8839 km. 6.3, Sector, San Juan. Participants and volunteers must be at the Botanical Garden before the start of the race, which is scheduled to begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. The children's race is scheduled to start at 8:15 a.m. The raffle will be held at 8:30 a.m.
Participants must bring their own water bottle or snacks. We will provide three (3) aid stations along the 5-kilometer course. This is a plastic-free race, so there will be no plastic water bottles at the aid stations.
The Estuary 5K is made possible with the endorsement and close collaboration of the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico. We thank Aerostar, Ferraiuoli, Paulson Puerto Rico, and Strong for their support in making this first 5K a reality.
Estuary 5K Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers to assist during the Estuary 5K at the Botanical Garden, from 6:00 am to 10:00 am on March 23, 2025. Event volunteers will receive a t-shirt and reserved parking at the DRNA building, steps from the event. Volunteers will receive four hours of community service credit.
There will be a meeting for 5K volunteers on Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 pm via Zoom, where we will discuss the route and support tasks.
Sign up today as a volunteer for the Estuary 5K, at estuary.org/events.
Water Quality Day
The island's largest citizen science event is back! Create your group, choose a body of water, and join the 17th Puerto Rico Water Quality Day on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
During Puerto Rico Water Quality Day, you will assess the conditions of your chosen body of water, collect data from your observations, and submit your results. The Estuary will provide all the necessary materials for your assessment, free of charge. We will offer training workshops throughout March, in various locations across the island and virtually.
We appreciate the continued support of Ford Environmental Donations and their commitment to the environment of Puerto Rico.
Global Recycling Day
Global Recycling Day , which will be celebrated on March 18, is a key date for the San Juan Bay Estuary, as it reinforces the importance of waste reduction and recycling as fundamental tools for the conservation of our water bodies and ecosystems.
Pollution from solid waste, especially plastics, poses a threat to the biodiversity of the San Juan Bay estuary, affecting water quality and the health of the species that depend on this ecosystem. Promoting recycling not only helps minimize the amount of waste that reaches our waters, but also fosters a culture of environmental responsibility in our communities.
As part of the aquatic waste program, the Estuary works with several recycling initiatives. The community campaigns, "Don't Let It Touch the Ground or Reach the Water" and "Leave a Clean Footprint in Piñones," have successfully united the residential and commercial sectors of the Loíza Street and Piñones communities, respectively, instilling responsible waste management practices consistent with the Island's public policy. Similarly, through collaboration with other entities and community groups, we facilitate the proper disposal of used cooking oil in multiple residential areas of the Metro Area.
On Global Recycling Day, the Estuary reaffirms its commitment to environmental education and collective action to protect our natural resources and ensure a more sustainable future. Learn more about the Estuary's integrated resource and waste management initiatives at: estuary.org/aquatic-waste.
International Day of Forests
International Day of Forests , celebrated on March 21, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to highlight the importance of all types of forests and to encourage conservation and reforestation initiatives globally. Each year, this day focuses on a particular theme that underscores the crucial role of forests in life on the planet, from mitigating climate change to providing water and biodiversity. This year's theme is: “Forests and Food.”
This celebration takes on special significance within the Urban Forest Network and the Estuary's green infrastructure initiatives, which promote the protection and restoration of natural spaces in urban environments. These forests are not only home to biodiversity, but also improve air quality, regulate temperature, and reduce the impact of flooding.
On International Day of Forests, we invite you to visit one of the spaces in the Urban Forest Network. Learn more about these spaces, including location, opening hours, and the flora and fauna present, by accessing the digital version of the Urban Forest Network Passport at: estuario.org/pasaporte.
WWD
Every March 22nd, the Estuary celebrates World Water Day . Established by the United Nations in 1993, this day raises awareness about the importance of freshwater and the need for its sustainable management. Each year, the day has a specific theme that highlights global challenges related to access to clean water, sanitation, and water conservation. This year's theme is: “Save Our Glaciers.”
World Water Day is a key opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting and restoring water bodies in the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed. Pollution, urban development, and climate change pose threats to water quality in the region, impacting both biodiversity and the health of its communities. Through initiatives to reduce illegal discharges, green infrastructure, water quality monitoring, and environmental education, the Estuary works to ensure that this vital resource is conserved and managed sustainably. This day reminds us that every action counts and that by protecting our waters, we ensure a healthier and more resilient future for all.
Request for Proposal
Estuary is looking to engage professional consultants to design and execute an educational campaign on the importance of proper disposal of oil and other materials across the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed.
See the RFP here: https://estuario.org/empleos/entry/13104/
Bird census in the Botanical Garden
On March 4, 2025, students from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, conducted a bird census at the Rio Piedras Botanical Garden, as part of the requirements to obtain their certification as citizen scientists in the Participatory Bird Censuses module of the Estuary.
We thank Professor Carlos Ayarza for integrating the Participatory Bird Censuses module into his course at the CIBI Faculty of General Studies: Climate Change, Caribbean Ecological Systems, and for promoting research and monitoring topics among his students.
The Participatory Bird Census workshops and field experiences are held every month. You can find more information and registration links at estuary.org/ccc.
Media coverage
March 12, 2025. San Juan Bay Estuary invites donations of refunds to support water body restoration. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/otros/notas/estuario-de-la-bahia-de-san-juan-invita-a-donar-reintegros-para-apoyar-restauracion-de-cuerpos-de-agua/
March 11, 2025. Estuary invites you to donate part of your refund for the restoration of water bodies. EyBoricua. Web. https://eyboricua.com/noticias/ambiente/estuario-invita-a-donar-parte-del-reintegro-para-restauracion-de-cuerpos-de-agua/
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, March 13, 2025. We have a RED flag for County Lagoon. We recommend avoiding areas that exceeded the "Beach Action Value" water quality standard of 70 CFU/100 ML. Remember to avoid the water after rain events.
