Weekly Estuary Update
This week, we're sharing more community action activities with you to benefit the waters and ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay estuary. From upcoming presentations and discussions on the Estuary Plan review to enjoying one of the urban green spaces in our watershed through the Estuary 5K at the Rio Piedras Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico. We will continue to offer professional development opportunities, workshops, and experiences to help you become a certified citizen scientist. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @estuariosanjuan
Join the Estuary 5K this Sunday at the Botanical Garden
It's almost time! Join us on Sunday, May 17, 2026, departing promptly at 7:00 am for a race like no other, held entirely within the grounds of the Río Piedras Botanical Garden. Spaces are limited, so arrive early to secure parking at the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. You should arrive at least by 6:30 am to avoid the traffic jam at the entrance. The race starts precisely at 7:00 am.
Pick up your number and t-shirt
We will not be handing out race numbers on race day. Numbers and shirts will only be available for pickup at En La Meta Running Store (408 Avenida Constitución, Puerta de Tierra, San Juan). We will be open tomorrow, Saturday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
*Note: Race numbers and t-shirts will not be given out on race day, and t-shirt sizes will not be exchanged.
Eyra Agüero will be the host
We'll once again have the renowned actress and comedian, Eyra Agüero, as our master of ceremonies, entertaining and interacting with the participants. Don't miss the chance to greet her and enjoy her incredible energy!
Path:
The Estuary 5K route is unique. It was designed by Godo, Brenda, and Freddy Rodríguez. Freddy is serving as the Estuary 5K's technical director for the second year in a row. We appreciate their support and solidarity with our organization. Thanks also to Signs Factory Workshop for providing the mile markers along the route, the Municipality of San Juan for their support with ambulances and trash collection boxes, and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for their parking facilities.
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 Estuary 5K is carried out with the endorsement and close collaboration of the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico and Para La Naturaleza.
Come to the presentations and community discussions for the Estuary Plan review
As part of the review and public comment process for the new Estuary Plan, we invite you to one of the presentations and community discussions that we will be holding throughout the San Juan Bay estuary watershed.
These spaces are intended to share the priority problems and actions proposed in the five action plans that make up the new Estuary Plan, focused on:
Water Infrastructure
Estuarine Ecosystems
Integrated Management of Waste and Materials
Estuary System Adaptation
Promote a Culture of Integrated Management
We want to hear your questions, recommendations, and comments as part of the participatory process of reviewing the Plan. Come to the meeting nearest you:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:30 pm | Rosalina Caraballo School with a Cause, Guaynabo <📍🗺️>
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm | La Goyco Community Workshop, San Juan <📍🗺️>
Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6:00 pm | TAU Center, Loíza <📍🗺️>
Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 7:00 pm | Rafael “Pipo” Negrón Activity Center, Toa Baja <📍🗺️>
We are deeply grateful to all the organizations, community leaders, and collaborators who are making these spaces for dialogue and citizen participation possible.
Gather information before the presentations and discussions. See the documents available for public comment at estuary.org.
Actions for the reduction of aquatic waste
In the watershed of the San Juan Bay estuary.
Pop-Up Recycling Center in Loíza
This Saturday, May 16, 2026, we're returning to the Recycling Pop-Up in Loíza. Stop by the Estuary table, learn about the Leave a Clean Footprint campaign in Piñones , discover the importance of conserving water and gray infrastructure, and learn about the efforts of the Municipality of Loíza's used vegetable oil diversion program.
The Pop-Up Recycling event is organized by LimPiaR, TAIS, and the Municipality of Loíza. It takes place on the third Saturday of each month at Miguel Fuentes Pinet Park. They accept #1, #2, and #5 plastics, aluminum, brass, and corrugated cardboard.
Microplastics assessment
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, we conducted the most recent monthly field trip for the Microplastic Characterization and Reduction module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification. We thank the volunteers who joined us in collecting and identifying microplastics throughout San Juan Bay, Margarita Channel, and Caño Martín Peña, thus contributing to the restoration and conservation of the waterways connected to the San Juan Bay estuary. We also thank Captain Kenneth Pastor of Kap Inc. and Miguel Beltran of Seakingly Foil School for their support during this experience. Until next time!
Professional Services Contract Opportunity
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
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, May 21, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-Chemical Parameters ; Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Monday, May 25, at 8:30 am at Lake Las Curías and Río Piedras
Field Experience: Physical-Chemical Monitoring; Tuesday, May 26, at 9:00 am in San Juan Bay
Field experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Wednesday, May 27, at 8:00 am at Laguna San José/La Torrecilla
Coastal Resilience Module
Field experience: Seed collection; Saturday, May 23, at 8:00 am in Piñones
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Restoration of Dunes and Mangroves ; Thursday, May 28, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field Experience: Planting Coastal Vegetation; Saturday, May 30, at 8:00 am at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve
Field Experience: Propagation of coastal vegetation; Sunday, May 31, at 8:00 am at Vivero Estuario, Centro TAU, Loíza
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Thanks to the volunteers who supported the bacteriological monitoring on Thursday, May 14, 2026, as part of the Water Quality Monitoring module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification. The results are below.
Assessment conducted on Thursday, May 14, 2026. 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. Have a good weekend.
