Weekly Estuary Update
We'll soon begin a new year, with our sights set on caring for our water and the communities that depend on it. May 2026 find us collaborating, learning, and acting for a healthier and more sustainable future for all. Happy New Year!
Below, we share recent actions and resources that highlight the work to strengthen the San Juan Bay estuary and its watershed.
Christmas Bird Censuses Gamaliel Pagán Hernández
Today, Friday, December 26, we begin the 2025-2026 season of the Gamaliel Pagán Hernández Christmas Bird Censuses.
There are still openings available for several dates. Join us to assess the health of the ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay estuary by counting and documenting its endemic and migratory birds. We will continue until Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Census completion will count toward Green Contact hours or community service. See the calendar and register today at [website address]. estuary.org/events.
Actions for coastal resilience
On Sunday, December 7, 2025, we carried out a coastal vegetation planting as a field experience for the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification, in Pocita de Piñones. Forty young volunteers from ASEZ STAR participated, led by the green infrastructure coordinator, Andreína Alexatos.
They planted approximately 1,005 coastal plants, including red mangrove, button mangrove, and sea beans, along a stretch of about 68 meters. In addition to the planting, participants received an educational talk about the ecological importance of these species and their role in protecting our coastlines.
On Sunday, December 14, ten volunteers participated in the propagation of coastal plants at the Estuary Nursery located at the TAU Center in Piñones. After an introductory talk, they transplanted white mangrove and button mangrove seedlings, followed by cleaning and weeding work in the nursery.
These actions are essential to ensure the proper development of the plants that, in the future, will be part of coastal restoration projects in the region.
We appreciate the energy and enthusiasm of both groups and applaud their commitment to the restoration and sustainable management of our coastal natural infrastructure. The Coastal Resilience module workshops and field experiences will continue in early 2026. See you then!
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. We have a RED flag for County Lagoon. We recommend avoiding areas that exceeded the water quality parameter for enterococci, "Beach Action Value," of 70 CFU/100 ML. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
