Weekly Estuary Update
This week, we're bringing you more initiatives focused on the restoration and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay estuary: Contribute with your refund, get ready for the Estuary 5K at the Botanical Garden, or enjoy the upcoming Family Day Out. We're also sharing results from recycling initiatives, coastal resilience efforts, and upcoming workshops and experiences for the Citizen Scientist Certification. Every action counts!
Support the Estuary with your Refund
This tax season, consider donating part of your refund to conservation and management efforts for the waters and ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay estuary.
Look for the option “Contribution to the Special Fund for the San Juan Bay Estuary”which you will find in the box “Refund” on page 1 of your form.
This method is possible thanks to Law 48 of 2009, which establishes the Special Fund for the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Learn about the different ways to donate to the Estuary at: estuary.org/donate.
5K Estuary in the Botanical Garden
The Estuary 5K is back and better than ever! Join a race like no other, held entirely within the grounds of the Río Piedras Botanical Garden. You'll run along trails, admiring streams and lakes, listening to birdsong, and enjoying the shade of centuries-old native trees.
5K Run it or walk it: We have an updated route, perfect for runners and walkers of all levels.
1K Children's Segment: The kids will have fun at their own pace!
Date: Sunday, May 17 of 2026
Time: 7: 00 am
Location: Rio Piedras Botanical Garden, in San Juan
The Estuary 5K is carried out with the endorsement and close collaboration of the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico.
Volunteer for the Estuary 5K
We are seeking volunteers to assist during the Estuary 5K at the Botanical Garden, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on May 17, 2026. Event volunteers will receive a t-shirt and reserved parking at the DRNA building, steps from the event. They will receive credit for four hours of Green Contact or community service, as applicable. Volunteers will be required to attend a virtual orientation meeting via Zoom, which will be announced later.
Sign up as a volunteer for the Estuary 5K, en estuary.org/events.
Family day out at the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve
Join us for a family day of learning and adventure at the Laguna del Condado Estuarine Nature Reserve on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Jaime Benítez Park. See the schedule of activities at [website address missing]. estuary.org/events.
We look forward to seeing you! No registration is required. Several activities count toward Green Contact hours or community service, as applicable. For any questions or comments, please write to us at: [email protected].
Estuary Cinema
Estuary Cinema presents: How to Train Your Dragon (2025); Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Jaime Benítez Park in the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve. The film will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. This screening is free. No registration is required. Bring your blanket or chair.
Aquatic waste reduction initiatives
In the watershed of the San Juan Bay estuary.
Dispose of your electronics properly
Take advantage of the electronic equipment collection event of the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm in front of the Municipal Office for Emergency Management (Carr. 486 Km. 1.6, Barrio Cuevas).
They will accept computers, cell phones, tablets, chargers, computer parts and cables, routers and converter boxes, DVDs, VHSs, VCRs, GPSs, printers, fax machines and scanners, radios, sound equipment, cameras, MP3s and televisions.
Learn more about the Trujillo Alto Municipality Recycling Program. here.
Results of the Recycling Pop-up in Loíza
Last Saturday, February 21, LimPiaR held its latest Recycling Pop-up in Loíza, at Miguel Fuentes Pinet Park. More than 100 participants contributed to the collection of approximately 988 pounds of recyclable materials, including plastic, aluminum, and cardboard.
Estuario was present with its educational table, where we highlighted the efforts and initiatives aimed at the conservation of water and the gray infrastructure of the communities connected to the San Juan Bay estuary, including initiatives for the proper diversion of used vegetable oil, the vegetable oil diversion program of the Municipality of Loíza, and the community campaign, Leave a clean footprint in Piñones.
The Loíza Recycling Pop-up takes place on the third Saturday of each month at Miguel Fuentes Pinet Park. The next one will be on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Planting of coastal vegetation
On Sunday, February 15, nine citizen scientists participated in a field experience of the Coastal Resilience module in Piñones. They planted approximately 200 coastal plants, with an emphasis on the restoration of mangroves and dunes.
The planting included red mangrove, button mangrove, sea bean, and coconut palm species. It served as an educational experience on adaptation, coastal dynamics, and nature-based solutions. See more activities from the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification below.
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. Remember that all workshops and field experiences count toward Green Contact hours or community service. See more information at [website address]. estuary.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field experience: Bacteriological monitoring; on Thursday, March 5, at 9:30 am at the County Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; on Thursday, March 5th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-Chemical Parameters; on Thursday, March 12th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Participatory Bird Census Module
Participatory Bird Census Workshop; on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience of Participatory Bird Censuses; on Sunday, March 8, at 7:00 am in San Juan Central Park
Coastal Resilience Module
Field experience: Ecological assessment of coral reefs; on Saturday, March 7, at 8:00 am at the County Lagoon
Field experience: Ecological assessment of seagrasses; on Saturday, March 7, at 12:00 pm at the County Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrasses; on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience: Seed collection; on Friday, March 13th, at 8:00 am in Piñones
We live with the estuary
In case you missed it: Everything that goes down storm drains ends up in your community's waterways. Don't throw trash down the gutter! Watch the San Juan Bay Estuary's latest public service announcement below.
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, February 26, 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.
