Weekly Estuary Update
Thank you to everyone who supported the celebration of National Estuary Week, September 19-26, 2026. We'll be sharing a recap of the events soon. See you at this weekend's activities!
Below, we share the upcoming actions planned to benefit the conservation and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay estuary. Read on.
Family day out
Join us for the next Family Day Out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Jaime Benítez Park, in celebration of bats and migratory birds. We will have the following activities:
[2:00 pm] Sports activity – Enjoy a game of badminton with family and friends.
[3:00 pm] Talk about the San Juan Bay Estuary – Learn about conservation and water management projects in the metropolitan area and how to get involved. (Green Contact/community service)
[3:30 pm] Eco-Games – Learn about the ecology of insects and bats. Invite your friends! (Green Contact/Community Service)
[4:00 pm] Talk: Migratory Birds that Visit the Estuary – In this fascinating talk, you will learn more about the species that spend time in the tropics. (Green Contact/Community Service)
[5:00 pm] Educational Tour: Bats and Plants of the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve and Their Connections to Water Quality in the Estuary – Learn on this tour which plants are pollinated and dispersed by bats and their importance to the water quality of the estuary. (Green Contact/Community Service)
[6:00 pm] Talk: Getting to Know the Estuary Bats – Learn about the natural history of these flying mammals. (Green Contact/Community Service)
There will be an opportunity to accumulate Green Contact hours or community service. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required. For more information, write to us at: [email protected]
Estuary Cinema
Estuary Cinema presents: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants; Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Jaime Benítez Park in Condado Lagoon. The film will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. This screening is free. Bring your blanket or chair.
Exploring the Estuary
Close out National Estuary Week 2026 in style by joining the event, Exploring the Estuary: Biodiversity Documentation at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve; on Saturday, September 26, from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. We will document species using the iNaturalist mobile app. We will divide into groups throughout the day.
[7:00 am to 9:00 am] Birds
[8:00 am to 10:00 am] Marine life
[8:00 am to 10:00 am] Plants and terrestrial life
[10:00 am to 12:00 pm] Plants and terrestrial life
[2:00 pm to 4:00 pm] Plants and terrestrial life
[4:00 pm to 6:00 pm] Birds
[6:00 pm to 9:00 pm] Nocturnal fauna
Exploring the Estuary counts toward Green Touch and community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. Register at: estuary.org/events
Mat Pilates Class
Join us for this Pilates Mat class with Elizabeth Solá, owner of Mind Body Parlor (@mindbodyparlor), on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7:30 am in Jaime Benítez Park at the Condado Lagoon. The Pilates method is a fitness program that includes strength and flexibility exercises and is adaptable to any skill level. However, participants must be able to sit and stand from the floor without assistance. No registration is required.
Citizen Scientist Certification
Join the workshops and field experiences offered by the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification . Remember that these count toward Green Contact or community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, October 1, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, October 8, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring ; Thursday, October 8th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Participatory Bird Census Module
Field experience; Saturday, October 10, at 7:00 am in the Piñones State Forest
They are conducting a bird census
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the most recent participatory bird census at the UPR Río Piedras Botanical Garden on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as a field experience for the Participatory Bird Census module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification. Congratulations to those who completed their certification!
Saturday, October 10th is October Big Day. Participate in the census at Piñones State Forest! Register at: estuary.org/events
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
Assessment conducted on Thursday, September 24, 2026. We have a GREEN 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.
