Weekly Estuary Update
Greetings from the estuary! Below, we share the actions taken to restore and maintain the waters connected to the San Juan Bay estuary, and we invite you to participate in the learning and volunteer activities scheduled for the coming weeks. Keep reading!
Urban tours: Discovering the connections between the city's water and the estuary's
Join us for upcoming tours of urban waterways connected to the San Juan Bay estuary. We'll explore their importance, the connection of their waters to the city, and the actions we take to protect them. Our tours will include:
On Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, at Jaime Benítez Park in the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve
On Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, in Old San Juan
These urban tours will count towards Green Contact hours or community service. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. Register today at: estuary.org/events.
Join us at the Recycling Pop-Up in Loíza
On Saturday, June 20, 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 , and discover the importance of conserving water and gray infrastructure, as well as 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.
Opportunities for professional services contracts
Bird census being conducted in Las Curías
A group of citizen scientists, including Scout leaders, supported the most recent participatory bird census of the Estuary at Las Curias Lake last Sunday, June 14. This field experience was part of the Participatory Bird Censuses module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification.
We thank everyone who joined us for this activity. Congratulations to those who completed their Citizen Scientist certification through this experience! Learn more about the Participatory Bird Census module, the Citizen Scientist Certification, and upcoming activities at estuary.org/ccc.
Protecting our coasts with green infrastructure
The following actions were carried out as part of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification, with a focus on the ecological restoration of dunes and mangroves.
Seed collection
Six volunteers, including high school students, collected approximately 567 red mangrove seeds for propagation and future planting on the Pescadores Peninsula in Piñones, Loíza, on Saturday, May 23. Afterward, we conducted an interpretive tour where we discussed the ecological importance of mangroves and the purpose of this collection for coastal restoration efforts.
Planting of coastal vegetation
Nine volunteers planted approximately 465 red mangrove propagules in the narrow channel bordered by the Baldorioty de Castro Expressway on the southern shore of Condado Lagoon on Saturday, May 30. As part of the activity, additional propagules were collected for propagation and use in future plantings.
Estuary Nursery Maintenance
On Sunday, May 31, three volunteers transplanted red mangrove seeds and seedlings and performed maintenance work at Vivero Estuario, located at Centro TAU in Loíza. They propagated about ten trays for future plantings and cleaned and weeded areas in and around the nursery.
We thank all the citizen scientists who supported these actions for the protection of our coasts and congratulate those who completed their certification as part of these activities.
Learn more about the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification at estuary.org/ccc . See our upcoming activities below.
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. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. See more information and register at: estuary.org/ccc
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Monday, June 22, at 8:30 am at Lake Las Curías and the Piedras River
Field Experience: Physical-Chemical Monitoring; Tuesday, June 23, at 9:00 am in San Juan Bay
Field experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Wednesday, June 24, at 8:00 am at Laguna San José/La Torrecilla
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, June 25, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop ; Tuesday, June 23, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Restoration of Dunes and Mangroves ; Thursday, June 25, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience: Seed collection; Sunday, June 28, at 8:00 am in Piñones
Media coverage
Brenda Torres Barreto. June 16, 2026. The opportunity behind the crisis. Opinion. El Nuevo Día. p.19.
Brenda Torres Barreto. June 15, 2026. The Opportunity Behind the Water Crisis. Point of View. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/opinion/punto-de-vista/la-oportunidad-detras-de-la-crisis-del-agua/
Melanie Ortiz Alvarez. June 14, 2026. Invitation to public hearing on ten-year plan. Puerto Rico Today. El Nuevo Día. p.13.
José E. Maldonado Marrero. June 14, 2026. San Juan Bay Estuary calls for a public hearing on the water management plan. Environment. Ey Boricua. Web. https://eyboricua.com/estuario-de-la-bahia-de-san-juan-convoca-a-vista-publica-sobre-el-plan-de-manejo-de-aguas/
Melanie Ortiz Alvarez. June 13, 2026. Public hearing called for on new San Juan Bay Estuary plan. Science and Environment. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/otros/notas/convocan-a-la-ciudadania-a-vista-publica-sobre-nuevo-plan-del-estuario-de-la-bahia-de-san-juan/
Prepare yourself this hurricane season
This 2026 hurricane season, the San Juan Bay Estuary urges you to be prepared. Download the Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide and follow its recommendations. Protecting your community starts 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 volunteer who assisted with 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, June 18, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the area 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.
