Weekly Estuary Update
Greetings from the estuary! Through our weekly update, we share with you the events, training workshops, and collaboration opportunities available to benefit the interconnected waters of the San Juan Bay estuary.
National Estuaries Week
We're closing out National Estuary Week in a big way! On Saturday, September 28, come to the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve and join us for various biodiversity documentation tours, starting from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
We will also have the workshop: Proper handling of vegetable oil in the estuary basin; from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
There are still spaces available! Sign up today at estuary.org/events.
Family Day Trip to the Estuarine Nature Reserve of the County Lagoon
Activities at the Reserve continue! On Saturday, October 5, 2024, don't miss the Family Day Out, starting at 3:00 pm. We will have the following activities:
[3:00 pm] Soccer game
[4:30 pm] Interpretive walk through the Reserve (with Green Contact hours)
[5:30 pm] Trivia: The bats of Puerto Rico (with Green Contact hours)
[6:30 pm] Reading of the story: Canito, the fishing bat (with Green Contact hours)
As a function of Estuary Cinema, We'll be showing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at 7:00 pm in Jaime Benítez Park. It will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. As always, this screening is free. Bring your blanket or chair.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Collaboration between municipalities in the management of resources and waste
The most recent one was held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Annual Meeting of the Intermunicipal Network for the Integrated Management of Resources and Waste in the Estuary Basin. The meeting achieved its objectives of reporting on the progress of actions by the Intermunicipal Network, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and providing tools for the development of recycling plans at the municipal level.
Representatives from the municipalities of Bayamón, Canóvanas, Cataño, Guaynabo, Loíza, San Juan, Toa Baja, and Trujillo Alto. We also had a presence of Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Department of Consumer Affairs. Companies were also integrated Sun Waste, Tais, Northern Recycling and non-profit organizations: PR Science Trust, CCOREM, La Goyco Community Workshop, SWANA, IIAM, IEMES, CAMBIO PR y Circular Generation.
We are immensely grateful for the environmental commitment of the municipalities in the Network, the companies present, and the non-profit organizations working toward a more sustainable Puerto Rico. Thanks also to the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, who hosted this meeting.
Counting the birds of the estuary
Among the trees, the song of the nightingale, the oriole and the woodpecker, we continued the celebration of National Estuaries Week, with the participatory bird census carried out on Sunday, September 22 at the UPR Botanical Garden in Río Piedras.
Thanks to the volunteers who came together and to our estuarine bird educators, Eliezer Nieves and Coral Avilés, who guided the participants in this experience, which is part of the requirements of the Participatory Bird Census module of the Estuary's citizen scientist certification.
Environmental actions on Loíza Street
The Estuary's aquatic waste project manager, Cristina Ramirez, was part of the most recent episode of File G, Vlog from Taller Comunidad La Goyco. In this edition with an environmental theme, Cristina talks with Mariana Reyes about managing the community waste reduction campaign. It should not touch the floor or reach the water. Collaboration between Estuario and La Goyco in the communities surrounding Loíza Street. They are accompanied by Ángel Rodríguez, from Martín Peña Recicla. Watch the episode. HERE.
Job opportunities
Accountant (part time)— The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, also known as the Estuary, is seeking qualified applications for an Accountant to join our highly skilled team for projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Technical Support Consultant—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) seeks qualified applicants to provide services as a Technical Support Consultant to support Estuario's water quality monitoring and related efforts through technical support, data management, and visualization.
Artists in Residence Coordinator—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) is seeking a coordinator with experience in arts and culture to support the Estuario Artist in Residence (AIR) initiative.
Community Liaison—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) seeks qualified applicants to work as a Community Liaison under the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) Restoration Project.
Community Facilitator (RFP)—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) seeks qualified applicants to provide services as a Community Facilitator in the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) Restoration Project.
The International Coastal Cleanup was a success
On Saturday, September 21, the start of National Estuary Week, the Estuary participated in the International Coastal Cleanup, led in Puerto Rico by the Scuba Dogs Society. The Estuary served as the cleanup captain in the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve.
A Pair of 101 volunteers They withdrew from the Reserve 46 bags, containing some Libras 426 of different types of waste. Among the strangest items the group found were a bag of medicine, a suitcase, a speaker cover, textiles, and an electronic tablet.
We thank all the volunteers who accompanied us in the Reserve, including the group of swimmers. The Tsunamis, the Puerto Rican SUP League, the Marist School Surfrider Club, to the group of the Commonwealth-Parkville School, a School of San Juan, New Pedagogy, Arcadis, to the students of the system of the UPR and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. Thanks also to Scuba Dogs Society, for the organization of this event and to Municipality of San Juan, for their continued support.
Citizen Scientist Certification
The following are the upcoming scheduled events. See more events at: estuary.org/ccc.
Coastal Resilience Module:
Media coverage
Editorial Staff. September 22, 2024. Estuary Week Celebrated in County Lagoon. El Vocero. Web. https://www.elvocero.com/actualidad/celebran-la-semana-de-los-estuarios-en-laguna-de-condado/article_40e967b0-7935-11ef-a7b4-279f4d0e89df.html
September 22, 2024. Estuary Week celebrated at Condado Lagoon. Metro Puerto Rico. Web. https://www.metro.pr/noticias/2024/09/22/celebran-la-semana-de-los-estuarios-en-la-laguna-del-condado/?outputType=amp
[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
Assessment conducted on Thursday, September 26, 2024. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. However, we recommend avoiding the water in areas that exceeded the water quality parameter for enterococci of 70 CFU/100 mL. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
