Weekly Estuary Update
The San Juan Bay estuary watershed continues to be vibrant with activity, participation, and community action. This week, we invite you to join experiences that connect nature, education, and collective well-being; from the second annual Estuary 5K at the Botanical Garden and interpretive tours in urban forests, to community dialogue sessions for the review of the new Estuary Plan.
We also share updates on coastal restoration projects, waste management efforts, and new opportunities to get involved in conserving our waters. Keep reading!
5K Estuary in the Botanical Garden
It's almost time! Join a race like no other, held entirely within the grounds of the Río Piedras Botanical Garden, on Sunday, May 17, 2026, starting promptly at 7:00 am. Spaces are limited. Register today!
Eyra Agüero will be the host
We will once again have the renowned actress and comedian, Eyra Agüero, as master of ceremonies, entertaining and sharing with the participants.
Don't miss the chance to say hello and enjoy her amazing vibe!
Fun Run
Come to the “Fun Run” and explore the route of the second edition of the Estuary 5K, this Sunday, May 10, at 6:00 am with coach Godo Rivera.
Pick up your number and t-shirt
It's time to pick up your race number and t-shirt. Stop by En La Meta Running Store. (408 Avenida Constitución, Puerta de Tierra, San Juan) on Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Saturday, May 16, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
*Note: No numbers will be given out on race day, and shirt sizes will not be exchanged.
Parking lot:
Parking for participants and volunteers is available at the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, conveniently located steps from the Botanical Garden. Its address is Carr. 8839 km. 6.3, Sector, San Juan. Participants and volunteers must be at the Botanical Garden before the start of the race, which is scheduled to begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. The children's race is scheduled to start at 8:15 a.m.
Path:
The Estuary 5K route is unique. It was designed by Freddy Rodríguez, the technical director of the Estuary 5K. We appreciate his support and solidarity with our organization. Thanks also to the Municipality of San Juan for their support with ambulances and trash collection boxes, and to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for their parking facilities.
The Estuary 5K is carried out with the endorsement and close collaboration of the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico.
Friends of the Lagoon Meeting
Join us for the next Friends of the Lagoon meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Jaime Benítez Park, with a virtual space via Zoom.
All residents, business owners, users, and managers of the Reserve are invited. Registration is not required. Find your Zoom link at [link missing]. estuary.org/events.
Come to the Interpretive Tour: Urban Forests of the Estuary
Join us on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am for the interpretive tour: Discovering the Nature of Urban Forests; in Julio A. Monagas Park. Don't miss it! Register today at estuary.org/events.
Come to the presentations and community discussions for the Estuary Plan review
As part of the review and public comment process for the new Estuary Plan, we invite you to one of the presentations and community discussions that we will be holding throughout the San Juan Bay estuary watershed.
These spaces are intended to share the priority problems and actions proposed in the five action plans that make up the new Estuary Plan, focused on:
- Water Infrastructure
- Estuarine Ecosystems
- Integrated Management of Waste and Materials
- Estuary System Adaptation
- Promote a Culture of Integrated Management
We want to hear your questions, recommendations, and comments as part of the participatory process of reviewing the Plan. Come to the meeting nearest you:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 pm | Puente Blanco Community Center, Cataño <📍🗺️>
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:30 pm. | Rosalina Caraballo School with a Cause, Guaynabo <📍🗺️>
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm | La Goyco Community Workshop, San Juan <📍🗺️>
Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6:00 pm | TAU Center, Loíza <📍🗺️>
Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 7:00 pm | Rafael “Pipo” Negrón Activity Center, Toa Baja <📍🗺️>
We are deeply grateful to all the organizations, community leaders, and collaborators who are making these spaces for dialogue and citizen participation possible.
Soak up the information before the presentations and discussions. See the documents available for public comment at estuary.org.
Professional Services Contract Opportunities
Actions for the reduction of aquatic waste
In the watershed of the San Juan Bay estuary
Third capacity building workshop of the Intermunicipal Network for Integrated Resource and Waste Management
On Tuesday, April 28, we held the third capacity-building workshop for the Intermunicipal Network for Integrated Resource and Waste Management of the San Juan Bay Estuary Watershed at the Piñones Community Center in Loíza. This time, we focused on the development and implementation of Municipal Recycling Plans, in accordance with current public policy.
Thanks to the representatives from the municipalities of Bayamón, Carolina, Cataño, Guaynabo, Loíza, Toa Baja, and Trujillo Alto who participated, strengthening their skills and sharing experiences. We also thank the staff of the DRNA's Market, Recycling, and Environmental Science Education Division, a key resource for the workshop. Special thanks to our hosts, the Municipality of Loíza.
Evaluation of microplastics in Canal Blasina and Laguna La Torrecilla
On Friday, April 24, we carried out the monthly field experience of the Microplastics Characterization and Reduction module of the Estuary Scientific Citizens Certification.
We thank volunteer Edwin Rivera, who joined us in collecting and identifying microplastics along the Blasina Canal and La Torrecilla Lagoon, thus contributing to the restoration and conservation of our waters. Until next time!
Community Fair in La Goyco
On Saturday, April 25th, the Estuary was present at the La Goyco Community Workshop Fair, dedicated this year to Earth Day. There were talks, documentaries, discussions, educational activities, plenary sessions, workshops, artisans, and more.
The Estuary moderated the Compost Panel, which aimed to highlight the benefits, importance and convenience of diverting organic material and to present community and local organic diversion initiatives.
We congratulate the panel participants, Ricardo (Ricky) Otero from Taller Comunidad La Goyco, Erika Rodríguez from Mesa Cimarrona, Daniela Rodríguez from TAIS and the moderator, Stacy Larancuent, public policy advisor for the Estuary.
We also had our educational booth at the event, highlighting the used vegetable oil diversion initiative at Taller Comunidad La Goyco, as well as the importance of its proper disposal. We congratulate Taller Comunidad La Goyco and its collaborators for this community fair focused on their environmental pillar.
Actions to strengthen the coasts connected to the estuary
On Sunday, April 26, ten volunteers transplanted mangrove seeds and seedlings for future planting and carried out maintenance work at the TAU Center Estuary Nursery in Loíza, as a field experience of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification.
The day also included a brief discussion on the importance of green infrastructure for risk mitigation in coastal areas. Thanks to all the citizen scientists who participated.
Contracting of architectural and engineering services for the coastal erosion mitigation project of the County Lagoon Estuarine Reserve
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership has formalized the contracting of architectural and engineering (A&E) services with the firm E Co PSC, represented by architect Edmundo R. Colón Izquierdo. This marks the beginning of Phase 1, in close collaboration with the Municipality of San Juan.
This phase includes conducting specialized technical studies, developing conceptual and final designs, and managing permits in preparation for Phase 2 of the project, which focuses on construction.
Among the works that have begun are hydrological and hydraulic studies, environmental assessments, and the development of design alternatives that incorporate solutions through natural infrastructure to mitigate erosion along the Román Baldorioti de Castro Promenade on the southern edge of the County Lagoon.
This effort is made possible through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) – No. 4339-0230. We will soon announce the first meeting with stakeholders and the community to provide more information on the project's progress, answer questions, and participate in the discussion.
Citizen Scientist Certification
Here are the activities for the coming weeks. Remember that workshops and field experiences count toward Green Contact hours or community service, as applicable. See more information and register at: estuary.org/ccc
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, May 14, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, May 21, at 9:30 am at County Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-Chemical Parameters; on Thursday, May 21th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, May 16, at 8:00 am at County Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 pm at County Lagoon
Field experience: Seed collection; Saturday, May 23, at 8:00 am in Piñones
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, May 7, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. However, 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.
