Weekly Estuary Update
The Estuary continues to strengthen the connection between community and nature through educational experiences, ecological restoration, and civic engagement. This week, we're sharing recent initiatives, upcoming events, and helpful resources to build resilience in our communities and care for our natural environment.
Family day out
Don't miss the next Family Day Out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Jaime Benítez Park. This October, we celebrate the bats of the San Juan Bay estuary with activities for the whole family, starting at 3:30 pm. We'll have a sports activity, an educational talk about bats, and a story reading. Canito, the fishing bat and educational trivia.
The family day out is free. We have opportunities to earn Green Touch hours or community service, as applicable. See more detailed information at [link to website/website/etc.]. estuary.org/events.
Estuary Cinema
Estuary Cinema presents: Beetlejuice; Saturday, October 4, 2025, 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. Bring your blanket or chair.
Presentation on the development of Puerto Rico's first Multijurisdictional Risk Mitigation Plan
The Estuary invites you to discover the results of the risk assessment of the San Juan metropolitan region, a key step in the development of Puerto Rico's first Multijurisdictional Risk Mitigation Plan.
The presentation will be on Monday, October 6, 2025 From 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico, Hato Rey, San Juan (00918). Join the conversation to build a safer metropolitan region. Everyone is invited.
Multijurisdictional Risk Mitigation Plan: Presentations to municipalities on the results of the risk assessment of the San Juan metropolitan region
If you live in San Juan, Guaynabo, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Cataño, Canóvanas or Loíza, your municipality and the San Juan Bay Estuary invite you to the presentations of the results of the risk assessment of the San Juan metropolitan region, part of the development of the first Multijurisdictional Risk Mitigation Plan in Puerto Rico:
Trujillo Alto: el Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Trujillo Alto Emergency Operations Center
Canóvanas: el Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 pm at the Canóvanas Multipurpose Center, Autonomía Street corner of Pepita Alvandoz, PR-185 KM 0.2, Canóvanas, 00729, Puerto Rico
Toa Baja: el Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the Covadonga Community Center
San Juan: el Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 5:30 pm at the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico – Headquarters, 500 C. Ing. Antolín Nin Martínez, San Juan, 00918, Puerto Rico
Cataño: el Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6:00 pm at the Vista del Morro Community Center
Loíza: el Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 5:00 pm at the Gregorio “Goyín” Lanzó Cirino Community Center, Parcelas Suárez
Guaynabo: will be announced later. Stay tuned to our social media and communications for the date and time of the presentation.
We look forward to seeing you! For any questions or comments, please write to us at: mitigation[email protected].
Planting of coastal vegetation in the County Lagoon
On Friday, September 26, 2025, a field experience for the Coastal Resilience module was conducted at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve. On this occasion, a volunteer, along with the Estuary team, planted six trees, including cow tree, cayur, sandpaper tree, and button mangrove. They also monitored the condition of the existing vegetation, taking measurements of height and thickness.
The planting took place among dying almond trees, and it was observed that button mangroves previously planted in the area have successfully established themselves. These actions contribute to the ecological restoration of the Reserve and strengthen the resilience of our coastal ecosystems. Thanks to citizen scientist George Hernández for his support!
Media coverage
September 28, 2025. Adriana Díaz Tirado. A nursery to protect the northern coast. Environment Today. El Nuevo Día. pp. 38-39.
September 28, 2025. New shield against erosion: coastal species nursery inaugurated in Loíza. Science and Environment. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/flora-fauna/fotogalerias/nuevo-escudo-contra-la-erosion-inauguran-vivero-de-especies-costeras-en-loiza/
September 28, 2025. A nursery to protect the coast: Loíza germinates vegetative resilience to combat erosion. Science and Environment. El Nuevo Día. Web. https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/flora-fauna/notas/un-vivero-para-proteger-la-costa-loiza-germina-resiliencia-vegetativa-para-combatir-la-erosion/
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, October 2, 2025. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. However, 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.
