Weekly Estuary Update
The Estuary continues to create spaces to learn, enjoy, and contribute to the conservation of ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay estuary. This week you'll find activities for the whole family, new volunteer opportunities, environmental celebrations, and more ways to join the collective effort for the quality of our waters and the resilience of our communities.
Family day out
The Family Day Out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve is here! Celebrate Greater Caribbean Manatee Day with us this Saturday, September 6, 2025, starting at 3:00 pm at Jaime Benítez Park. We have activities for the whole family: an interpretive tour, educational talks, and opportunities to earn Green Touch hours or community service, as applicable. See more information at [website address]. estuary.org/events.
Estuary Cinema
Estuary Cinema presents a new showing of Dune: Part Two on Saturday, September 6, 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 showing is free. Bring your blanket or chair!
Celebrate National Estuaries Week with us!
From Saturday, September 20th to Saturday, September 27th, 2025, the Estuary joins in the celebration of National Estuary Week. We have a full schedule of activities, including training workshops, volunteer opportunities, and educational experiences for everyone.
The week will culminate with the event Exploring the Estuary: Biodiversity Documentation in the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve. Remember to sign up for the biodiversity documentation workshop (Tuesday, September 23), where you'll learn to use the iNaturalist app. This workshop is part of the group you choose (aquatic life, terrestrial life, plants). Don't miss this opportunity for discovery and learning!
See the scheduled activities at estuary.org/events and register today. There will be an opportunity to accumulate Green Contact hours or community service, as applicable.
International Coastal Cleanup 2025
Estuary joins Scuba Dogs Society again as captain at the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve for the International Coastal Cleanup, on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
With this event, we'll be kicking off National Estuary Week. Join us! Sign up here to participate in the cleaning of the Estuarine Nature Reserve of the County Lagoon, next to the Estuary.
Estuary Artist in Residence 2025: Antonio Martorell and Friends
This year, the Estuary Artist Residency invites us to embark on a journey of collective creation, environmental awareness, and community transformation alongside the renowned artist Antonio Martorell and his friends. This is the seventh artist-in-residence at the Estuary.
The proposal by teacher Martorell and his Friends seeks to raise environmental awareness about the importance of water quality in the rivers, streams, lagoons, marshes and bays that are part of the San Juan Bay estuary system, through the communities of the region.
See more information at estuary.org/residentartists.
Job opportunities
Full Time Employment Opportunity
Request for Proposals
[Request for Proposals] Technical Support Consultant
Other opportunities for professional services contract
Green Infrastructure Specialist
Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Network Coordinator (IIJA)
The UPR-RP CINA 4071 course begins
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the CINA 4071 course, from the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus, began with a talk about the San Juan Bay Estuary, our efforts to restore and conserve water quality, and the focus on resilience-based restoration.
During the semester, undergraduate students will be participating in a variety of talks and workshops that will provide them with the tools and knowledge not only to support the Estuary's efforts, but also to develop as professionals in the environmental sector.
Estuary present in the Environmental Plaza of the Choli
Last Friday, August 29, the Estuary joined the initiative Take care of Pe ERRe, at the Placita Ambiental of the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, during Bad Bunny's Residency.
We supported the waste management station, promoted reduction, reuse and recycling strategies, and educated visitors about the Estuary's opportunities and initiatives.
We thank Sin Plástico for the invitation, and the other organizations present that continue this educational effort during this musical and cultural experience.
Estuary conducts microplastics assessment
Last Friday, August 22, 2025, we conducted the most recent field exercise for the Microplastic Characterization and Reduction module of the Estuarine Citizen Scientist Certification. We thank Iván Santiago, Dolly García, Yessenia Donato, and Angel Rojas for joining us to identify and collect microplastics from estuarine waterways.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of workshops and field trips through our website, social media and weekly updates.
Mangroves are being planted in the County Lagoon
The Estuary conducted a field experience at the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve, as part of the Coastal Resilience module of the Citizens Scientist Certification, on August 23, 2025.
Fifteen volunteers planted approximately 278 coastal trees, including red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove, and other native species, in the Playita San Gerónimo area. The day also included feedback on past plantings, confirming the good survival rate of the mangroves along the coast. Thank you to all the volunteers who joined us!
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information at estuary.org/cccThese activities count towards community service hours and Green Contact hours.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; on Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Workshop: Ecological assessment of coral reefs and seagrasses; on Tuesday, September 9th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience: Seed collection; Thursday, September 11, at 8:00 am at Caño Martín Peña
Field experience: Seed and plant propagation; Friday, September 12, at 8:00 am in Loíza
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, September 13, at 8:00 am at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, September 13, at 12:00 pm at County Lagoon
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 4, 2025. 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.
