Weekly Estuary Update
Greetings from the estuary! This week, we highlight the activities and collaborations that continue to strengthen environmental education in the San Juan Bay estuary watershed. From learning spaces with schools to partnerships for the restoration of coastlines and waterways, we continue to join forces for a healthier estuary.
Family day out
The Estuary invites you to the next Family Day Out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Jaime Benítez Park. We will have the following activities:
Sport activity at 2:00 pm
Educational talk: Eat lionfish! with Jannette Ramos, from Sea Grant Puerto Rico (valid for Contacto Verde) at 3:00 pm
Treasure hunt: The botanical trail and its connection to water (valid for Green Contact) at 4:00 pm
Talk: Wetlands and biodiversity in the Estuarine Nature Reserve of the County Lagoon (valid for Green Contact) at 4:30 pm
Interpretive tour – Water: a vital resource for connecting estuarine systems (valid for Green Contact) at 6:00 pm
See more information at: estuary.org/events.
Estuary Cinema
Estuary Cinema presents: wonkaOn Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 7:00 pm in Jaime Benítez Park at 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!
Participate in the discussions on infrastructure actions for the review of the Estuary Plan
Following the recent round of reviews, we will now focus on the specific actions to be included in the Estuary Plan to address each of the five (5) established goals, beginning with the first: Maintaining and improving obsolete and dilapidated gray and green infrastructure that negatively impacts water quality and sediments in the estuarine bed. Some of the topics we will be addressing include: sanitary sewer infrastructure, stormwater infrastructure, drainage and water exchange infrastructure, infrastructure to mitigate erosion and sediment transport, port and vessel infrastructure, transportation and mobility infrastructure, collaborative water quality monitoring, and impact analysis from areas outside the current study area.
We will hold two discussions to generate debate and inspiration:
Community conversation about actions to improve infrastructure: For residents, neighbors and friends of the region, on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in San Juan (TBD), with virtual space.
Scientific and technical discussion on actions to improve infrastructure: For scientists, experts and those familiar with the San Juan Bay estuary system, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in San Juan (TBD), with virtual space.
Register today at estuary.org/eventsYou will receive your copy of the draft of the proposed actions on June 11, 2025, directly by email to the address provided in your registration.
We greatly appreciate your support in sharing this information and ensuring that as many citizens, communities, scientists, and experts as possible can actively participate in this review.
Join us in shaping the future of the waterways in the San Juan metropolitan area. The Estuary Plan belongs to everyone, because we all live with the Estuary. We look forward to seeing you there!
We are looking for volunteers for the recycling stations at the upcoming Tito Matos Fest
The Estuary invites you to volunteer at the recycling stations of the fourth edition of the Tito Matos Fest, at Taller Comunidad La Goyco, on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, 2025, as part of the community campaign for proper handling of materials. It should not touch the floor or reach the water.
Volunteer hours will count as field experience for the Microplastics Characterization and Reduction module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification. Sign up here.
The project for the economic valuation of ecosystem services in the San Juan Bay estuary is underway.
The Estuary is conducting an economic valuation of the ecosystem goods and services provided by the San Juan Bay estuary. The results of this valuation will serve as an educational tool for the public, government agency personnel, and elected officials regarding the importance of restoring and conserving the estuarine system.
On May 14, 15, and 16, three days of in-person workshops were held, where the results of the geospatial analysis conducted by the consulting team, Metroeconómica, were presented and discussed. The methodology for monetarily estimating the biodiversity and recreational use of the estuary was also addressed.
We are extremely grateful for the hospitality of the Sacred Heart University during these three days, as well as the participation of experts, academics, municipalities, agencies, and communities that made these days very productive.
Biodiversity talk in Capetillo
Last Thursday, May 22, the Estuary, in collaboration with the Capetillo Urban Garden, Nursery and Forest, offered an educational talk to students and other members of the community in celebration of International Biodiversity Day.
The activity addressed the connection of the riverine area of this urban space in Río Piedras with the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that surround it.
We thank Dr. Natalia Rodríguez for her valuable participation, as well as our educators, Coral Avilés and Eliezer Nieves, who enriched the conversation with their experience and commitment.
Interpretive tours and educational experiences will continue in the green spaces of the San Juan Bay Estuary Urban Forest Network. You can find them at estuary.org/events.
Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information at estuary.org/cccRemember that we offer community and Green Touch hours, as applicable.
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop; on Thursday, June 12, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Field experience: planting coastal vegetation; on Saturday, May 31st, at 8:00 am at the County Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrasses; on Tuesday, June 10th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience: ecological assessment of coral reefs; on Saturday, June 14, at 8:00 am at County Lagoon
Field experience: ecological assessment of seagrasses; on Saturday, June 14, at 12:00 pm at the County Lagoon
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, May 29, 2025. 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.
