Weekly Estuary Update
Greetings from the estuary! Through our weekly update, we share scheduled events and opportunities for collaboration, training, and volunteering that benefit the San Juan Bay estuary, its ecosystems, and communities.
Family day out
The next Family Day Trip to the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve will be on Saturday, December 7, 2024 on the grounds of Jaime Benítez Park.
We'll have a sports activity, an educational talk, and a tour of the Reserve, as well as a story reading and a film screening about the estuary. More details coming soon.
Summit 2024
Everyone is invited to the Summit 2024, To be held on Monday, December 2, Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4, at the theater of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico in Hato Rey. This is a large-scale event that will bring together experts and knowledgeable individuals in the fields of sustainability and urban resilience to achieve greater integration and collaboration among diverse sectors and disciplines.
Present your research
We are accepting abstracts for projects or studies relevant to the San Juan Bay estuary watershed. If you are an expert or knowledgeable in urban sustainability and resilience, we invite you to submit a poster as part of the Puerto Rico Watershed Symposium on Wednesday, December 4.
Join as a volunteer
We're also accepting applications for volunteers to help with various tasks over the three days. Sign up today on the event website.
The 2024 Summit is open to the public. See more information at estuary.org/summit-2024.
Giving tuesday
Help us restore and protect the waters of the San Juan Bay Estuary and its ecosystems. Make your donation to the Estuary today, in commemoration of this upcoming Giving Tuesday, which will be on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Your donation will help us achieve a more resilient and healthy watershed for its inhabitants.
Any amount is appreciated. See the different ways you can contribute, at estuary.org/donate.
Meeting for Resident Artists of the Estuary
We have scheduled a third orientation meeting for the Estuary Resident Artists opportunity on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm virtually via Zoom.
This meeting is integral to the proposal submission and selection process.
To participate, register today at estuary.org/events.
Blue Friday
The Estuary invites you to the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve on Friday, November 29, 2024, where we will spend an environmental Blue Friday, cleaning from 8:00 am to 10:00 am with the Friends of the Lagoon.
We'll meet at Jaime Benítez Park. We'll be waiting for you!
Bird Study Merit Badge for Scouts
The San Juan Bay Estuary, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Council of the Boy Scouts of America, will be offering the Bird Study Merit Badge.
The requirements for the merit badge will be presented in a virtual workshop via Zoom. The workshop consists of two parts on separate days, so participants must attend both virtual sessions.
First virtual session: Monday, December 9, 2024 (6:00 PM to 7:30 PM)
Second virtual session: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 (6:00 PM to 7:30 PM)
For the field requirement, we will have a list of dates to coordinate attendance at two bird censuses between December 14, 2024, and January 5, 2025, which will be announced soon. The listener must always be accompanied by an adult (Unit Leader or parent/guardian), so both must register for the dates they will attend. The bird censuses will be conducted early in the morning, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
The instructors for the merit badge and bird censuses will be Eliezer Nieves-Rodriguez and Coral Avilés Santiago.
Scouts interested in participating must first have approval from their Scoutmaster before registering and ensure that an adult leader from their unit registers and is present at both virtual sessions. To register, they can access HERE.
Coastal resilience with students
On Friday, November 15, 2024, we carried out a coastal vegetation planting in the County Lagoon, with students from the American Military Academy.
The group of 24 students, along with their teacher, planted more than 300 specimens of coastal vegetation, including red mangrove and sea grapes. Arborist Andreína Alexatos led this effort. Congratulations!
Certification of scientific citizens
Below are the scheduled events for the coming weeks. See more information at: estuary.org/ccc.
Participatory Bird Census Module:
Coastal Resilience Module:
Job opportunities
Media coverage
Editorial Staff. November 20, 2024. The San Juan Bay Estuary Program invites you to participate in the 2024 Summit. Science and Environment. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/otros/notas/programa-del-estuario-de-la-bahia-de-san-juan-invita-a-participar-de-la-cumbre-2024/
November 20, 2024. The 2024 Estuarine Summit will be a call to action for urban ecosystems. Environment. Hey Boricua. Web. https://eyboricua.com/noticias/ambiente/cumbre-estuarina-2024-sera-un-llamado-a-la-accion-por-los-ecosistemas-urbanos/
Editorial Staff. November 20, 2024. San Juan Estuary to host the 2024 Estuarine Summit. El Vocero. Web. https://www.elvocero.com/verde/estuario-de-san-juan-celebrar-la-cumbre-2024/article_ac573882-a7a3-11ef-99c7-6b2cec473f4c.amp.html
[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
Evaluation conducted on Thursday, November 21, 2024. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. All stations showed values compliant with the water quality standard of 70 CFU/100 ML (Beach Action Value). Remember to avoid the water during rain events. Have a good weekend.
